The Ancients - Halloween Show in Swan Park, Buncrana

By Go Visit Donegal ~ Published on 22 November 2021

Halloween weekend saw a spooktacular spectacle take place in the newly refurbished Swan Park, Buncrana with the running of the ‘The Ancients, Halloween Show’.  

Image © Donegal County Council

This year was the first time that the famous Derry Halloween celebrations extended across the border to Donegal and the trail in Buncrana complemented the Walled City’s Samhain festivities. 

The park was transformed by Inishowen Carnival into a world of mystical landscape where fairy and pagan gods resided, curses were cast and warriors bargained with the Gods!  There was lots of fearsome fun and bewitching & bone-chilling little people as they visited the shows.


Image © Donegal County Council

The trail which commenced at O’Dohertys Keep and wound its way along the riverbank before crossing the river and turning back towards Castle Bridge saw Swan Park decorated with lanterns and light sculptures. Along the way the audience met a myriad of faerie folk: banshees, wood sprites and other otherworldly characters!


Image © Donegal County Council

Speaking following the event, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Jack Murray praised the event saying, “It was great to see the public enjoying Swan Park once again and the Halloween festivities highlighted the potential benefits this fabulous amenity can bring not only to Buncrana but to Donegal as a whole. The shows were great family friendly events and I wish to congratulate all those who were involved in bringing the magical experience together”.

Derry Halloween is organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism Northern Ireland, Donegal County Council and the North West Development Fund.

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