COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
MOTION NO. 4
MOTION: Councillor P. Holohan
"This Tallaght area committee call on SDCC to plan for 2026 Halloween in the lines of a festival bonfire and localised entertainment highlighting and keeping the culture of the Halloween festival at the forefront?"
REPORT:
Halloween dates back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which featured harvest festivals and otherwordly storytelling. SDCC’s Samhain and Halloween events held across the County embrace a unique blend of these ancient customs with modern celebrations. These creative and fun events for all the family include the likes of costumes swaps and creepy crafts, silent discos, spooky science, and Storytime sessions across SDCC Libraries. Samhain in South Dublin includes Halloween walking tours in Tallaght in English agus as Gaeilge, a Halloween Walkway at Brú Chrónáin Round Tower Visitor Centre as well as main events at Partalán Place (Tallaween 11am – 5pm, 31st October) and at Brú Chrónáin (Spookdalkin 11am – 4pm 2nd November). Community Services actively assist a number of small local community based Halloween celebrations, organised by community groups/centre across the County.
Whilst Halloween is a time of celebration regrettably it can also be a time of environmental and property damage. This has a significant impact on resources available to South Dublin County Council for the provision of facilities and amenities within the county. As with previous years, the Council is prioritising a safe Halloween in 2025, in an effort to reduce injury to individuals and damage to property and the environment.
Large bonfires present significant fire safety hazards, especially in residential and urban areas. Evolving climate and environmental conditions make open fires increasingly risky and difficult to insure. Managing crowd safety and ensuring adequate emergency access for a nighttime outdoor event presents additional logistical challenges, particularly given that Halloween is the busiest night of the year for Dublin Fire Brigade. Bonfires also conflict with sustainability goals due to emissions, debris, and potential damage to green spaces.
In response to the above, and in addition to an exciting programme of local events, SDCC operates ‘Bulbs not Bonfires’ a reward provided through the social credits scheme which provides communities with flowers in the spring instead fire damage throughout the year, whilst SDCC and WEEE Ireland is offering free electrical recycling for residents’ associations and estates in South Dublin before and during Halloween 2025.
SDCC will continue to work into 2026 to develop fun, creative, and family friendly events for the whole community, championing the spirit of Samhain. Details of the above events can be found on www.sdcc.ie, or the Council’s social media channels.