FAQs

Local Authorities (Republic of Ireland). For applications, Local Authorities are permitted to partner with:

• A maximum of one other neighbouring county*

• Local Chambers of Commerce and or Junior Chambers of Commerce

• Local BID and Marketing Groups

• Food Networks and Agencies

*Up to a maximum of two neighbouring counties may choose to partner on the new Ireland, Home of Halloween Destination Development Pilot Scheme, combining resources to deliver on the project objectives, and will be classed as one destination.

Yes, a maximum of two neighbouring Local Authorities may choose to collaborate on the new Ireland, Home of Halloween Destination Development Pilot Scheme, combining resources to deliver on the project objectives, and will be classed as one destination.

Note: Accommodation stock and existing tourism product within the two counties/destinations can be combined for the purposes of applying for this scheme. See Fáilte Ireland’s interactive dashboard displaying registered and approved accommodation stock in the Republic of Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland will provide direct funding of up to an expected €100,000 per destination for 2025, subject to budget approval. Further Fáilte Ireland supports will include marketing/digital, research, capability building and access to Fáilte Ireland Festivals and local regional representatives for project management and planning and development support.

The application process for this Scheme is split into two stages.

Stage 1: Fáilte Ireland invites Local Authorities to apply for the Scheme via an Expression of Interest (EOI) Form. An evaluation team will then review and evaluate all EOI submissions to determine eligibility based on the criteria of the scheme and a scoring system with agreed weightings.

Stage 2: Successful applicants from the first stage will advance to the second stage, where they will complete a detailed application form. Again, an evaluation team will be in place to review and evaluate all applications. A maximum of 5 destinations will be selected following evaluation. In the event of an over subscription of successful applicants, those with lower scores will be placed on a wait list for consideration for future destination hub expansion (budget dependent).

Existing product does not have to be authentic Samhain or Halloween themed, however if they are to be part of the programme of events, they must have the ability to adopt authentic Samhain or Halloween themes for project delivery in October/November 2025.

To develop an Ireland, Home of Halloween Destination Hub, we recommend adapting existing festivals, events and experiences to include specific Samhain and Halloween desirable themes. Such as harvest, feasting, fire, local lore (urban myths, legends etc) and Samhain & Halloween traditions.

Please see below three examples on different ways to include these traditions.

Example 1 – An existing Pumpkin Patch incorporates theme ‘The Origin Story of the Turnip’:

Storytelling:

• Pumpkin patches have been gaining popularity over the last few years and an example of incorporating Samhain and Halloween traditions would be to create a display/exhibition that tells the origin story of carving turnips and the local lore of the Jack-O-Lantern.

• Decorate the space with a mix of carved turnips and carved pumpkins, with a nod to the origins story.
• Use natural materials like hay bales, corn stalks, and autumn leaves to create a rustic, seasonal feel.

Example 2 – An existing Zombie Walk incorporates theme ‘Echoes of Samhain’:

• Participants would be invited to dress as ancient Celtic spirits, taking inspiration from local lore such as the Púca (ghost) and the Morrígan (Celtic goddess of war).
• Zombies could wear tattered versions of these ancient costumes, blending the undead theme with historical attire.

• The walk could start or end at a large bonfire, symbolizing the ancient Samhain practice of lighting fires to ward off evil spirits.

Example 3 – An existing Historical Walking Tour incorporates local ghost stories theme:

Storytelling:

• Adopt an existing walking tour to include ghost stories, local lore and/or Celtic mythology.

Costumes:

• The guide could dress-up as ancient Celtic spirits, taking inspiration from local lore.

The Home of Halloween Brand Toolkit will be ready to share with successful destinations by July/August 2025. Whilst the HOH brand toolkit is in development, here are some examples of other toolkits which have been used in the past:

• Keep Discovering Marketing Toolkit

• Ireland's Ancient East

• Marketing Toolbox (Dublin)

• Winter in Dublin

Ireland, Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme 2025 is a separate scheme to the existing Samhain Processions Scheme 2023-2025, that Limerick City and County Council, Longford County Council and Waterford City and County Council are already a part of, 2025 will be the third and final year of this scheme.

Local Authorities currently participating in the Samhain Processions Scheme can apply for the new scheme.

Ireland, Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme 2025 will require an extended programme of events incorporating the month of October and potentially into early November in addition to individual processions.

All applicants will receive written notification of the outcome from both evaluations, (Stage 1 and Stage 2) feedback will be offered to unsuccessful applicants.

Successful applicants after Stage 2 will receive notification, followed by a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from Fáilte Ireland. The MOU will form the basis of the Contract between Fáilte Ireland and the Grantee. It will also contain all terms and conditions relating to the offer of investment funding.

Applicants are welcome to seek clarification on the scheme guidelines or application form by emailing festivals@failteireland.ie. The closing date for clarification questions (Stage 1) is Wednesday, 19th March (noon). Fáilte Ireland will answer all clarification questions and issue a response to all interested parties by Friday, 21st March (COB).

Closing date for clarification questions (Stage 2) is Monday, 7th April. Fáilte Ireland will answer all clarification questions and issue a response to all interested parties by Thursday, 10th April.

Fáilte Ireland funding will be paid by electronic transfer to the successful applicant detailed on the application form.

Existing staff salaries cannot be included in the match funding or investment within this scheme. Should outsourcing be required, a maximum of 25% of total Fáilte Ireland investment per annum can be allocated to outsourcing a third-party programme co-ordinator and/or marketing or digital marketing resources, and are seen as eligible costs.

Should outsourcing be required, a maximum of 25% of total Fáilte Ireland investment per annum can be allocated to outsourcing a third-party programme co-ordinator and/or marketing or digital marketing resources, and are seen as eligible costs.

The guidelines have been updated to reflect this information.

Fáilte Ireland and Local Authority investment is to be put towards the following:

• To support the coordination of ‘hub’ and county-wide existing festivals, events, experiences and activities to adopt the new Home of Halloween brand and Samhain themes as part of a 3–4-week programme across the month of October and early November.
• Outsourced or third-party programme co-ordination and/or marketing or digital marketing resource.
• Should outsourcing be required, a maximum of 25% of total Fáilte Ireland investment per annum can be allocated to outsourcing a third-party programme co-ordinator and/or marketing or digital marketing resources, and are seen as eligible costs.
• International and domestic marketing activity to deliver on visitor KPIs.
• Independent research for data capture for attendee numbers, visitor profiles (local, domestic, international), duration of visit and motivation to attend. May be a requirement from year 2.

Fáilte Ireland are asking all applicants if they have the ability to leverage Night-Time Economy funds. If this is not applicable, the applicant will not automatically fail the Expression of Interest stage, however, it may be taken into account during the application evaluation stage.

A number of Local Authorities have dedicated Night-Time Economy advisors and funding is available to them. Other examples include Cruinniu lates which is funding from Creative Ireland to Local Authorities.

However, we encourage all to be mindful of the Night-Time Economy objectives which are as follows:

1. Increase footfall in our towns, cities at night-time.
2. Broaden the Night-Time Economy entertainment offerings for licensed and unlicensed premises later evening or night-time hours.
3. Allow local business owners to trial a variety of entertainment, retail options or offers to complement the activity.
4. Provide opportunities for artists, including new and emerging artists at local level.
5. Provide alcohol free entertainment options for families and younger people in the evenings.

This scheme is open to Local Authorities (up to a maximum of 2 neighbouring counties may choose to partner on the scheme). In addition, Local Authorities are permitted to partner with:

• Local Chambers of Commerce and or Junior Chambers of Commerce
• Local BID and Marketing Groups
• Food Networks and Agencies

There is no maximum number of festivals to include in an application. To meet the criteria, destinations must have a minimum of 2 existing festivals plus a minimum of 8 ticketed events that will form the programming, incorporating the month of October and into early November. 

This scheme does not take into account a distance radius; instead, all considerations are confined within the county boundaries.

The bedstock for the town/region within the proposed destination(s) must be calculated. This can be done easily Fáilte Ireland’s interactive dashboard displaying registered and approved accommodation stock in the Republic of Ireland.