BERNICE HARRISONon the things to do to keep the kids away from the TV
Halloween:For most kids, yesterday's end-of-term parties and dressing up for class signalled the start of Halloween, even though it's a whole week away. There's so much going on in every county in the coming week that it's worth making plans. Some venues have natural spookiness and lend themselves naturally to Halloween fun.
Kilkenny celebrates its 400th anniversary as a city, and to mark the occasion, next Saturday between 2pm and 6pm, it will be taken over by the ghost of famous former resident Dame Alice Kyteler, her witches and other ghouls. See kilkenny400.ie to find out where the haunting and eerie events will be taking place. The weather forecast isn’t too great, so take shelter (and a break from the Halloween mayhem) in the Butler Gallery in Kilkenny Castle, where an exhibition includes work by Paul Henry, Mildred Anne Butler and Tony O’Malley.
A night-time walk in the forest isn’t for scaredy-cats, so only brave types should fetch up to Ballyhoura Forest, Ardpatrick, Co Limerick, next Saturday after dark. The Ballyhoura Spook, which is organised by Coillte, includes a Halloween costume competition, spooky guided family fun walks on“haunted” trails, and hot refreshments for those brave enough to battle the cold elements of the forest. Wear warm clothes (under your costume, of course) and strong shoes or wellies.