Northern Ireland

Derry Halloween festivities return to the streets

Derry's famous Halloween festivities return to the streets of the city this weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin.
Derry's famous Halloween festivities return to the streets of the city this weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin. Derry's famous Halloween festivities return to the streets of the city this weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin.

DERRY'S famous Halloween celebrations return to the city this weekend after it was forced to abandon the festival last year due to Covid-19.

After last year's lockdown, the on-street celebrations will extend over three days.

Festivities will once again culminate with a huge fireworks display on the River Foyle on Halloween night. Fireworks will be launched from two barges so that spectators can watch from the city’s Peace Bridge right through to the former Fort George site.

The Derry Halloween will take place across five different `worlds' in the north west, with three in the city, one in Strabane and one in Co Donegal.

In a new departure this year, the celebrations will extend into Co Donegal in `the Ancients World'. With support from Donegal County Council, the legend of the Knights of the Red Branch (Craobh Rua) will be re-told at Swan Park in Buncrana on Friday and Saturday. The story, which has fascinated Derry and Donegal children for generations, focuses on the knights who sleep in full armour beside their steeds below Grianan Fort, ready to ride forth at the moment of Ireland's greatest need.

This year's celebrations also bring a return of many of the pre-lockdown favourites, including the Spark percussion, dance and light troupe as well as story-telling, music and tours and trails.

Derry City and Strabane District council has created a free app - What’s On Derry Strabane - to provide up-to-the-minute information about all activities. Derry and Strabane mayor, Graham Warke urged the public to download the app to help plan their Halloween visit.

"Everything has been planned with public health and safety in mind so please follow the advice and ensure you spread your visits out across the whole Halloween weekend," Mr Warke said.