IRELAND’S HALLOWEEN ART DARK TRAIL
Stories carved in shadow and light, from Ireland, the Home of Halloween.
Stories carved in shadow and light, from Ireland, the Home of Halloween.
Discover Ireland’s Halloween Art Dark Trail, an open-air exhibition at Circular Quay created in partnership with Tourism Ireland.
For two weeks, the trail brings the spirit of Halloween to life through art that reimagines the myths, rituals, and landscapes of its Irish origins.
Follow the path through four captivating themes: Ireland: The Home of Halloween, exploring where Samhain first ignited the world’s fascination with the festival; Ancient Samhain Traditions, revealing the rituals, food, and fire that shaped early celebrations; Costumes & Disguises, tracing the playful origins of dressing up; Mythical Ireland, where legends and landscapes blur the line between worlds; and Modern Festivals & Celebrations, showcasing how Ireland’s ancient spirit lives on today.
Immerse yourself in a story thousands of years in the making, where myths, art, and otherworldly imagination meet beneath Sydney’s night sky.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Ireland, Home of Halloween
Over two thousand years ago, Ireland’s Celtic festival of Samhain lit fires, filled harvest tables, and blurred the line between worlds... giving birth to Halloween. Today, from the Hill of Ward to the Derry Halloween festival, Ireland remains the true Home of Halloween, where history and legend live on.
Ancient Samhain Traditions
Samhain was the Celtic New Year, a festival of fire, food, and ritual. Communities gathered around bonfires to protect themselves during the dark months ahead. Families carved lanterns from turnips long before pumpkins, while barmbrack loaves with hidden charms foretold the future. Many of today’s Halloween customs began with Samhain and are still alive in Ireland.
Costume & Disguises
The tradition of dressing up at Halloween began in Ireland. At Samhain, masks and disguises were worn to trick restless spirits, and families left gifts of fruit and nuts to keep otherworldly mischief away; practices that gradually evolved into trick-or-treating. Long before pumpkins, turnips were carved into lanterns, shaping Halloween’s most recognisable traditions.
Mythical Ireland
Ireland’s landscapes and ancient sites have always carried a sense of the otherworldly. Mist rises over green hills, castles loom in shadow, and stone circles stand as markers of mystery. At Samhain, spirits were believed to walk freely, inspiring tales of the banshee, púca, and goddess Morrigan. Visitors can still explore caves, ruins, and coastlines that echo with legend.
Modern Festival & Celebrations
Halloween in Ireland is as vibrant as it is authentic. Ancient traditions inspire world-class celebrations like Derry Halloween, Europe’s biggest festival, and the Púca Festival in Meath and Louth, with fire, feasting, and performance. Set against golden autumn landscapes, visitors can join the mischief, magic, and community spirit of Ireland’s living Halloween legacy.
MONDAY, 20th of October
until SUNDAY, 2nd of November
CIRCULAR QUAY PROMENADE
AND THE ROCKS
