All you need to know about this Friday's Dead of Night spectacular finale in Longford town

It’s all systems go for the spectacular finale of the 20th Longford Dead of Night Festival this Friday October 31, Halloween night, in Longford Town.

The Fire and Shadows Procession will kick off at 7.30pm, taking off from Connolly Barracks and performing its way up Bridge Street, Main Street, Ballymahon Street, and finishing up with a Halloween party on the Market Square.

This event is funded by Fáilte Ireland, Longford County Council, and the Night-Time Economy Task Force in the Department of Arts, Sport, Culture and Media.

This is the third year of a three-year pilot from Fáilte Ireland. Road closures will kick in around the route in advance at approximately 7pm, led by An Garda Síochána. The theme of the parade is Morrígan’s Revenge and it will feature music, drumming, dance, fire, dramatic performance as well as plenty of mischief and mayhem.

The Halloween party in the Market Square will include exciting performances from Celtic drumming sensations The Tribal Chieftains, Longford’s fire-dancing specialists Babylon’s Inferno, The LEDJs and more.

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Event Management: An Garda Síochána will be onsite managing all temporary closures. People attending are asked to park in the off-street car parks and then to line the route from around 7pm in order to get the best vantage point.
Main Street and Bridge Street will be temporarily closed to facilitate the parade passing through from approximately 7pm and once it passes, Gardaí will reopen the streets.

From Market Square to PV Fallon’s on Ballymahon Street will also be closed to all traffic from approximately 7pm, limiting access to car parks at Market Square and Weaver’s Hall. The Market Square Taxi rank will be temporarily relocated to the Longford Arms Hotel on Richmond Street for the duration of the road closure.

Longford County Council appreciates everyone’s cooperation and understanding in order to make for a safely run event.
The accessible viewing point will be located in front of Supermacs/AIB on Main Street with limited space available. Please note this event may contain visual, auditory and movement sensory triggers, including bright flashing lights and fire, persistent loud noises, live bands performing, drumming and rapid movement.

The parade is creatively led by Longford Arts Service in partnership with local artists and community groups under the stewardship of Creative Director Tommy Casby.

The team behind the event at Longford County Council includes the support of Longford Community Safety Partnership, Longford Civil Defence, Longford Municipal District, Longford Night-Time Economy and Longford Tourism as well as Health and Safety team, An Garda Síochána and Longford Fire Service.

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Elsewhere around County Longford, the Ballymahon Samhain Market and Family Fun Day will be underway at Skelly’s Bar and Restaurant on Main Street, Ballymahon from 9am to 2pm.

Also, the After Dark Ball with Rhythm & Sticks Fancy Dress Party Night takes place in The Longford Arms Ballroom from 9pm on Halloween Night. 

Come join us in Longford Town for a spectacular event filled with music, dance, and community spirit as we celebrate Samhain and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands as the true Home of Halloween!