Footsteps in the Forest a Spooktacular Success

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council celebrated its final Giant Adventure for 2024 with ‘Footsteps in the Forest’, which took place from Monday 21 to Tuesday 29 October in Slieve Gullion Forest Park.

Celebrating our rich mythical heritage and the ancient traditions of Samhain, Footsteps in the Forest has been hugely popular with locals and visitors alike since its inception in 2016. This year's extended programme and additional days saw a phenomenal response from the public and the largest turnout so far, with over 10,000 attendees!   

Visitors were thrilled by the sight of the spooky costumed characters who guided them on the journey from the origins of Samhain to modern day Halloween, encountering giants and mythical creatures along the way. Footsteps in the Forest brought a fun and immersive Halloween experience to life through costumed characters, spectacular illuminations, and storytelling. Accessible and Irish language trails were also made available to visitors to enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the event.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “This years Footsteps in the Forest has been an amazing end to our Giant Adventures series. Extending this year’s festival by three days allowed for even more residents and visitors to enjoy this fabulous event and we are grateful to hold it in the beautiful surroundings of Slieve Gullion Forest Park.”

Chairperson, Councillor Byrne continued, “From Wake the Giant in Warrenpoint, and Eats & Beats in Newcastle, to Footsteps in the Forest in the Ring of Gullion, we have had a great Summer of festivals and fun. Planning is already underway for next year’s Giant Adventures series, and we hope each year our events can be as successful as the last. I’d like to thank all those involved in making our events possible and all the residents and visitors that supported them.”