This Halloween, Howth Castle Cookery School celebrates Samhain, the ancient Gaelic harvest festival, with a series of hands-on classes and dining experiences inspired by the season. As part of Ireland Home of Halloween in partnership with Explore Fingal, our Feast of Samhain programme brings together autumn flavours, Irish culinary heritage and a little Halloween magic in the beautiful surroundings of the castle.
From evening cookery classes and a candlelit supper club to family cooking and a foraging workshop, there's something for food lovers of every kind. Explore what's on below, and book early; places are limited.
We're inviting you to a hands-on evening class celebrating Ireland's harvest and culinary heritage. Get stuck in with fresh local ingredients and explore the rich flavours of autumn through hearty root vegetable dishes and comforting seasonal recipes with a contemporary twist. You'll be guided through the class by our professional chefs, then sit down to enjoy your autumn feast in the beautiful surroundings of the castle. Perfect for food lovers and home cooks.
Dates: Wednesday 28 October & Friday 30 October 2026, 7.00pm (2 hours)
Tickets: €95 (€105 with Castle Tour) · Adults
Book now
Join renowned foraging expert Mary Bulfin, aka Wild Food Mary, for an immersive workshop in the grounds of Howth Castle. Enjoy a guided foraging walk, discover the healing properties of native plants and herbs, and embrace a little light-hearted Halloween witchery inspired by Celtic folklore. Includes light refreshments and a demonstration of botanical remedies.
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026, 10.00am (2.5 hours)
Tickets: €95 · Adults
Book now
A fun-filled, hands-on cooking experience for young chefs and an accompanying adult. Prepare a selection of spooky seasonal recipes alongside our professional chefs in the Georgian kitchen, then sit down together to enjoy your creations. A memorable family experience and a Halloween you won't want to forget.
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026, 11.00am (2 hours)
Tickets: €75 per person (€150 per adult-and-child booking)
Book now
An exclusive candlelit dining experience in the magnificent 18th-century Georgian kitchen. You'll enjoy a five-course seasonal autumn feast inspired by Irish tradition and the Halloween harvest, with rich flavours, warm hospitality and a truly magical castle atmosphere. Perfect for couples and friends.
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026, 7.00pm (3 hours)
Tickets: €100 per person · Adults only
Book now
Round off the Samhain weekend with a hands-on autumn brunch in the historic kitchen. Prepare a seasonal menu inspired by the harvest — roasted squash, warming spices and freshly baked treats then relax and enjoy it in the beautiful surroundings of the castle.
Date: Sunday 1 November 2026, 11.00am (3 hours)
Tickets: €105 (€120 with Castle Tour) · Adults only
Book now
All events must be booked in advance using the links above. For private and corporate cookery events, please contact us at info@howthcastlecookeryschool.ie.
The Feast of Samhain is part of a wider programme across Howth Castle this Halloween. Step inside for evening Samhain Tours of Howth Castle, running nightly from Wednesday 28 October to Sunday 1 November, or join Hooks & Reels: Samhain at the Castle on Saturday 31 October for an evening of storytelling, music and fire-breathing castle guards. See all castle events at howthcastle.ie.
Our Feast of Samhain programme is part of Ireland Home of Halloween, a national campaign celebrating Ireland as the authentic global home of Halloween. Fingal was selected as one of just seven hubs nationwide following a competitive application process, part of a pilot scheme developed collaboratively by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. Throughout October 2026, the county comes alive with witches and warlocks, fireworks and food fairs, ghouls and ghosties, as venues across Fingal merge ancient traditions with modern celebration. Many events are free, and everyone is welcome.
Posted on 29 Jul 2026.
