A Spooky Autumn Escape in Waterford

There’s something about Waterford in late October that makes it perfect for a seasonal escape. As the leaves turn and the evenings draw in, Ireland’s oldest city and county take on a wonderfully atmospheric feel, with historic streets, autumn gardens, cosy food experiences and just enough spooky storytelling to get you in the Halloween spirit.

If you’re planning a break over the October Bank Holiday weekend, we’ve mapped out three days filled with local food, Gothic woodland walks, fascinating Irish traditions and a touch of the paranormal. And if you fancy discovering even more of Waterford’s strange stories along the way, take a look at our Dark Side of Waterford: Ghosts, Vampires & Strange Tales from Ireland’s Oldest City guide.

3 Days in Waterford: October Bank Holiday Weekend

Friday 23 – Sunday 25 October

Friday: Taste Your Way Around Ireland’s Oldest City

Start your Halloween weekend in Waterford with one of the best ways to get to know the city: through its food.

Join Tasteful Tours for an 11 am walking food tour, weaving your way through Waterford’s streets while sampling local produce and discovering the people and stories behind the city’s food scene. Tours include four to five stops and a mix of local favourites, from the famous Waterford Blaa to locally roasted coffee, handmade chocolate and Irish craft drinks. Tasteful Tours runs on Thursdays and Fridays at 11 am, with a special offer available over the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend.

After three hours of eating your way around the city, you’ll probably be ready for a slower afternoon.

Head for the Viking Triangle, where more than 1,100 years of Waterford history are packed into a few walkable streets. Step inside Reginald’s Tower, explore treasures from medieval Waterford, or simply wander through Cathedral Square and the historic lanes surrounding it.

Then settle in for dinner and a cosy Friday evening in the city.

Friday Evening: Step Into Spraoi’s Wicked Woods

As darkness falls, why not venture into the woods for a truly atmospheric Samhain experience?

After five years away, Waterford Spraoi’s Wicked Woods – The Return transforms a stretch of woodland along the Waterford Greenway, beside SETU Arena at Carriganore, into an immersive world of folklore, performance, light and sound.

Follow the woodland trail and encounter Spraoi’s award-winning performers, spectacular Samhain serpents and a few surprises along the way.

Running from 23–26 October, with pre-booked 30-minute entry slots, it’s a wonderfully different way to experience Halloween in Waterford. Daylight matinees are also available on Saturday and Sunday for families with younger children.

Saturday Morning: Take a Gothic Woodland Walk at Ballysaggartmore

Start Saturday with a change of scenery and head west towards Ballysaggartmore Towers, just outside Lismore.

Hidden among the trees, the striking 19th-century Gothic towers look as though they were made for an autumn morning. Follow the short woodland trail as turrets, arches and stone gateways gradually appear through the trees, all surrounded by the changing colours of the season.

The towers were originally built as part of an ambitious entrance to the Ballysaggartmore estate, although the grand house they were intended to lead to was never completed. Today, they make for one of Waterford’s most atmospheric walks – especially at Halloween, when the Gothic architecture and quiet woodland setting feel particularly fitting.

Afterwards, make your way back towards Waterford City for lunch before continuing the afternoon at the Irish Wake Museum and The Reg.

Saturday afternoon: Discover the Traditions of the Irish wake

Back in Waterford City, spend the afternoon exploring one of Ireland’s most distinctive cultural traditions.

Begin at the Irish Wake Museum in Cathedral Square, where a guided experience explores the traditions, customs and beliefs surrounding the Irish wake.

Then continue the story just around the corner at The Reg, where The Tradition & Hospitality of the Irish Wake combines storytelling with a flight of three Irish whiskeys.

Set in Lily Poole’s Parlour, a restored 1870s house, the 35-minute experience delves into the songs, characters and customs associated with the Irish wake – including the tradition of raising a glass in remembrance of those who have passed. Non-drinkers can also enjoy the experience with tea, coffee or a soft drink.

Saturday evening: Paranormal, Past and Present

Stay in the Viking Triangle for Saturday evening, when things take a slightly more mysterious turn.

At 6 pm, the Medieval Museum hosts Paranormal, Past and Present, a special Halloween talk with psychical researcher, author and GhostÉire co-founder Anthony Kerrigan.

The evening looks at the history of paranormal investigation, how the field has changed over time and where it may go next. Anthony will also share insights from GhostÉire’s 2024 investigation of Waterford’s own Irish Wake Museum.

Afterwards, head out for dinner or find a cosy corner in one of the city’s pubs to round off your Saturday night.

Sunday: Go Leaf Peeping at Mount Congreve

After a weekend of ghost stories and Halloween happenings, Sunday calls for something a little gentler.

Head to Mount Congreve Gardens, just outside the city, for a crisp autumn walk through 70 acres overlooking the River Suir.

Autumn transforms the gardens into a patchwork of gold, amber, copper and ruby, with acers, maples and woodland paths creating one of the loveliest seasonal displays in Waterford. Wander at your own pace, crunch through the fallen leaves and soak up the colour before stopping into the Stables Café for coffee or something warm.

It’s the perfect slow Sunday finish to a Halloween weekend in Waterford.

Your October Escape to Ireland’s Oldest City

From tasting your way around Waterford City to wandering beneath Gothic towers and uncovering the traditions of the Irish wake, this is an autumn weekend with plenty of stories to tell.

Pack a warm coat, leave a little room for something delicious and come discover Waterford at one of the most atmospheric times of the year. Whether you’re here for the history, the food or a hint of the supernatural, the October Bank Holiday is the perfect excuse for a spooky seasonal escape.