Ireland Lifestyle 2026: Culture, Food & Social Life

From 2nd to 31st October 2026, step into a world of illuminated pumpkin creations and wander through an enchanting outdoor trail filled with incredible carvings, imaginative scenes and unforgettable photo opportunities. This Halloween, Newbridge House & Farm lights up after dark with thousands of glowing pumpkins, spectacular hand-carved displays, live entertainment and autumn magic. A fun-filled family event, audiences are encouraged to come in costume, with prizes for the best dressed at selected performances—making it the perfect Halloween treat for children and gro With the help of the ever-enthusiastic Silly Billy and the larger-than-life Dame Bridie, the story twists, turns and builds to a riotous, feel-good finale that flips the traditional tale on its head. Join Little Red as she journeys through the enchanted forest on her way to visit her fabulous D’ Granny. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, has staged a dramatic election fightback, defeating his far-right opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, to claim a historic fourth term in power.

A birthday celebration turns febrile when a rural Irish family address their sister’s relationship with a refugee. The Magnificent explores the tensions and tenderness between them, as the consequences of their careers, lives and choices come knocking. With frolics and mayhem and of course Panto merriment, follow Robin’s journey as he knocks the deviou

MOVING SIGNATURES returns for a new series uniting Slow Looking art tours and movement workshops in response to works in IMMA’s new exhibition, TECHNOLOGIES OF PEACE. Halloween is fast approaching and it’s time to delve back in the origins of Irish traditions and explore how Samhain became Halloween. Join us on Wednesdays and Saturdays in October for this tour looking at the seasonal folkore and traditions of plants at this time of year Rekindle the ancient folklore and traditions of Samhain on this special Halloween tour. Along the way you’ll discover more about Bram Stoker’s life and the famous novel Dracula that shaped how the world imagines vampires today. Travel aboard the Spookwood Express, venture deeper into the forest, and discover a spellbinding experience filled with surprises, laughter, and Halloween wonder.

Generations of Dublin children sang a street song about an infant murder

Yellow weather warnings in place across the country after Storm Boelo Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs is visiting Irish peacekeepers in south Lebanon. Consumers have been warned to check insurance auto renewal policies ahead of a “perfect storm” of rising premiums, decreasing benefits, and the spiralling cost of living. Some of the gloss has been taken off Leinster’s hard-earned bonus-point win over Munster last Saturday at the Aviva Stadium due to Gavin Coombes’ allegations. Wexford’s meeting on Monday which was due to feature the Listed Michael Hickey Memorial Chase has been abandoned due to waterlogging. Gary Neville has launched a scathing tirade at Manchester United’s players following their latest heavy defeat.

• Taoiseach issues State apology to family of former prison officer Brian Stack killed by IRA
• With over 100 events taking place across five days in venues throughout Dublin City, featuring over 200 authors, illustrators, poets and musicians, the festival is packed with events for all ages.
• Come explore everything from technology and ecosystems to the special science week theme of water and its vital role in our world.Meet an amazing line-up of
• Enjoy a warm, uplifting programme of choral music that brings together timeless tradition and some sing-along festive favourites.
• Following a sell-out season in 2025 that welcomed more than 115,000 visitors, Elf Town returns in

A new play by Stephen Jones written for the Glass Mask Theatre Stage In a storm-beaten cottage on Ireland’s western edge, two estranged lovers reunite for a single night of reckoning. One of the best ways to experience UCD is to come to our Open Day. Following a sell-out season in 2025 that welcomed more than 115,000 visitors, Elf Town returns in Forget pop-up grottos and tinsel-draped sheds, Elf Town is Ireland’s only Christmas experience built with the ambition, scale, and incredible level of detail to match any world-class Christmas production.

Five people have been taken to hospital following a road collision Isan – het noordoosten van Thailand in Louth, as the bank holiday road safety campaign continues. The biggest single patient safety issue about which HSE hospitals notified the health watchdog under new mandatory reporting requirements were procedures to help prevent newborn baby brain damage. Emmanuel Macron has been accused by trade unions of trying to curb the fundamental French right to protest as the government fast-tracks a bill to make protesters pay for damage caused by vandalism at street demonstrations even if they did… A status-yellow weather warning covering 11 counties will come into effect on Monday afternoon, with strong and gusty south to southwest winds set to sweep over Ireland again.

It’s where people meet, share gossip, tell stories, sing songs, and watch a match. Rural areas still hold strong; 38% of people live in communities under 1,500 people. A journalist once described the Irish as a “Mediterranean people who got stuck too far north.” There’s truth in that. Ireland's education system is well-regarded internationally, with Trin…

The Irish magazine market consisting of international magazines, ranging from Time and The Economist to Hello! There are also two weekly papers, the Northside People and Southside People that cover local topics in the capital. Curiously Dublin remains one of the few places in Ireland without a major local paper since the Dublin Evening Mail closed down in the 1960s. There are quite a large number of local weekly newspapers both North and South, with most counties and large towns having two or more newspapers.

The Book Club: Sally Rooney, Intermezzo

Musk warns Starlink will cut service if Ukraine uses it to 'kill people' Further weather warnings issued as 18,000 left without power after Storm Boelo Ethiopian athletes claim men's and women's titles at Dublin Marathon

National Praise Day Ireland 2026 – A Celebration of the King of Light

The festival culminates on Saturday 31 October with the Big Scream Carnival, featuring a parade, Halloween activities, movies , Zombie Land and a sensory-friendly hour for families seeking a quieter experience. The Irish Film Institute’s annual celebration of the terrifying, the gory, the wince-inducing, and the uncanny returns with IFI Horrorthon 2026, running Thursday, October 22nd to Monday, October 26th. The festival draws inspiration from Stoker, his life, his work, the Dublin of his time and celebrates the Gothic, the supernatural, the after-dark and the Victorian. Yes — see everything happening in Dublin today, including evening events, at /dublin/events/today. Our listings are updated three times daily — browse by date, category or venue to find what suits you.

Sea kayaking, coasteering, and wild swimming are increasingly popular. Four Nobel laureates in literature, global musical icons from U2 to Westlife, and a tradition of storytelling, theatre, and visual arts that punches well above its weight. Ireland's cultural output relative to its size is extraordinary. Ireland offers a lifestyle anchored in natural beauty, cultural depth, and social warmth. Thoughtful reads, new discoveries and old favourites worth making time for. The songs, albums and artists we think are worth your time — this week and beyond.

Venues say they are putting on more events to cater to a growing cohort of people who want a more affordable night out. The Black Sabbath legend had asked his wife to ‘hold me tight’ as they lay in bed before his death from a heart attack at the age of 76, she said. Meghan’s father may be ‘sex offender of grossest kind’ Philippine official says Events Thalia Heffernan proudly supported by boyfriend Conor and mum Susan at film premiere

Bill Bailey returns with a show that celebrates this great tradition, as the versatile multi-instrumental, multi-lingual, purveyor of hu A celebration of comedy, songs, and multifarious skills. This was the prime-time entertainment of its day. Bill Bailey returns with new show, Vaudevillean Before streaming, before tv, before cinema, before even radio… There was Vaudeville! This Christmas, Sammy Sausages & Buffy take flight in Aladdin – A Sammy & Buffy Adventure … a whirlwind of laughs, music and magical mayhem for the whole family. Mary Kate O Flanagan tells six of the tales that made her a Grand Slam Champion Storyteller at The Moth on two continents, while making a case for why understanding how storytelling works will change your life.

Corporate Events

• There are currently 1,987 upcoming events in Dublin, spanning music, comedy, workshops and more.
• Join us as we leave daylight behind and explore the darker side of our mythologies and histories at EPIC!
• Running daily from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October, 2pm-3pm, this is your chance to explore MoLI's darker side this Samhain.
• Beauty The NARS Christmas makeup collection channels the energy of aprés ski season
• Highlights include Halloween history tours, creative workshops, Fright Night Bingo, Songs for Samhain and a candlelight reading of Bram Stoker’s Dracula’s Guest.

The show is a unique and hilarious night featuring games, prizes and audience participation, with special permission from NBC Universal Television. A Halloween celebration for the local community, brought to you by Dub The event will feature a chilling House of Horrors Haunted house, live entertainment on the big stage and fun activities for young people, families, and the wider community. The Halloween Main Street Market will transform the area into a festive autumn destination featuring local vendors, live entertainment, family activities, seasonal treats, and a charming pumpkin patch.

The 9 at 9 Election victory in Brazil, yellow weather warnings and social welfare payments. This elite Irish business school's virtual open day will help you find the Master's to match your ambitions A High Court judge will this week hear a judicial review of an appeal by the Women of Honour for their Defence Forces tribunal legal costs to be paid on a continual basis. Already the greatest electoral phenomenon in his country’s history, Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva saved his best for last.

What’s On: October 2026 — Ireland’s Events Worth Exploring

Every set within the enormous Dublin and Galway locations is hand-crafted, every character fully realised, and every child’s journey designed to feel truly magical from start to finish. There will be a range of events and activities taking place during Art Source including workshops, demonstrations and talks. Her innovative musical creations are matched by electrifying live performances – Clare brings her audiences on an exhilarating journey full of hope, celebration and heart. An uplifting celebration of community and friendship where everyone

• The Good Witch with her magic lantern and the Archer with his fire arrow will banish the bad witches to the hills.
• There are also a number of Summer Schools on topics from traditional music to literature and the arts.
• Bill Bailey returns with new show, Vaudevillean Before streaming, before tv, before cinema, before even radio… There was Vaudeville!
• Yes — see everything happening in Dublin today, including evening events, at /dublin/events/today.
• Little of this had changed by the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ five-game unbeaten start to the season came to an end with a 20-3 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The three Bournemouth goalscorers cost a combined £85m, joining from Vasco da Gama, Middlesbrough, and Porto. Almost 150 people have been detected driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs since Thursday, according to gardaí.

‘This is a symbol for Europe’: Joy on streets of Belgrade after Vučić election defeat

Hear first hand from our students and staff about studying and life at Maynooth University. Find answers to all your questions about our degrees, supports, student life and more. Seamlessly combining myth, mischief, storytelling and music, Aindrias invites audiences into an high-energy show that pulses with life. It’s your opportunity to connect with innovators, explore emerging ideas, and celebrate the breakthroughs shaping the future of technology and society. In partnership with principal sponsor Microsoft, the AI Awards is more than an awards ceremony; it is a gathering of Ireland’s thriving AI community.