Halloween to generate over €40m across Ireland

Fáilte Ireland estimates that Halloween events will generate more than €40m for local communities and tourism businesses across the island of Ireland.

Over 320,000 domestic and international visitors attended over 800 events last year and it is hoped that figure will increase this year.

"Halloween did not begin in Hollywood," said Azeta Seery, Festivals and Events Manager at Fáilte Ireland.

"It has its roots in the ancient tradition of Samhain, which spans over almost 2,000 years ago here in Ireland."

Over the last number of years tourism chiefs here have developed a new tourism season around Halloween in a bid to increase visitor numbers.

In 2025, it said that events attracted over 322,000 domestic and international visitors.

"The Home of Halloween is more than just a day," said Ms Seery.

"In fact, it's like a cultural underbelly of Irish traditions that spans the month of October into early November.

"That of course benefits businesses nationwide because it extends the season beyond the traditional peak months of the summer.

"It drives visitors into regions that wouldn't traditionally welcome domestic and international visitors at this time of year."

Last year Fáilte Ireland developed the Home of Halloween Destination Development Programme which invited local authorities to apply for funding to develop immersive cultural Halloween experiences.

The programme aims to increase visitor numbers, extend average length of stay, support tourism businesses during the shoulder season and deliver sustainable economic benefits for communities across the island.

It is anchored by the Púca Festival in Co Meath alongside Derry Halloween.

"We have destination hubs in Fingal in North County Dublin, Louth and Meath, Longford and Westmeath, as well as Galway City, Limerick, Kerry, and Kilkenny," said Ms Seery.

"Last year the programme delivered over 800 events, delivering an estimated economic impact of over €40m to the local economy".

Given the appetite that exists for Halloween both nationally and overseas Fáilte Ireland said it can only see it growing from here.

"Appetite within the international market has been particularly high, even beyond the Americas," Ms Seery said.

"Interestingly enough, we are looking at new markets such as Japan, Spain, the Nordics.

"They are all really invested in the story and the narrative of where Halloween began, and to visit the land where Samhain and Halloween started."