Halloween has arrived - and celebrations are set to get underway all across Ireland.
But Met Eireann has dampened some spirits by sounding a late thunderstorm warning for six counties tonight. The national forecaster says there is a risk of thundery downpours this evening.
Dublin Fire Brigade have insisted they're not the "fun police" and declared they just want youngsters "to have a happy but a safe Halloween". Newly appointed Chief Fire Officer Greg O'Dwyer also revealed he reckons this year will be another busy one for firefighters after last year saw the highest number of callouts in a decade.
The DFB have also issued warnings after dangerous fireworks were being openly sold on social media ahead of tonight. An investigation uncovered multiple accounts, which we are not naming, on both Instagram and Facebook, that are selling them - and some of the brazen dealers even offer a delivery service for certain areas of Dublin while others encourage users to buy quickly as stock is running low.
Meanwhile Irish households are being warned to think twice about keeping lights on for trick or treaters tonight.
But away from the expected chaos, there are plenty of tricks and treats on Ireland's streets to enjoy with a comprehensive lineup of local Halloween events.
Follow live updates below or see the latest breaking news on our homepage.
Rush was the place to be last weekend
Kenure Park in Rush was transformed into a hub of Halloween fun last Saturday as the Let’s Play Rush team hosted a frightfully fantastic community event that drew families from across the town. Despite the autumn chill, spirits were high as children and adults alike enjoyed an afternoon packed with games, laughter, and festive entertainment.
Organised by the Let’s Play Rush team — made up of dedicated members from Rush Tidy Towns, Rush Community Council, the 38th Rush Scout Group, Fingal County Council representatives, and local councillors — the event was a true community collaboration.
Families took part in a range of activities including carnival-style games, face painting, and interactive performances. The highlight of the afternoon was a series of thrilling dance routines performed by talented local groups, captivating the crowd and adding energy and excitement to the celebrations.
Firefighters unhappy with parking as they attend incidents around the city
DFB said: "Poor parking is causing obstructions to our fire engines. Kilbarrack firefighters were forced to reroute on the way to a fire call."
Trees set on fire in Finglas
DFB said: "Finglas firefighters have been called to trees alight in South Finglas. The fire was quickly extinguished and prevented from spreading any further."
The latest map shows fires at dozens of locations around the city
Dublin Fire Brigade's interactive map shows it's getting busy with firefighters attending to bonfires all over the city.
Tyre fire extinguished in Saggart
Dublin Fire Birgade said: "Tallaght firefighters have extinguished tyres alight on a bonfire in Saggart. A high pressure hose reel was used, unfortunately tyres produce thick noxious smoke which can affect the locality."
Garda warning after large quantity of fireworks seized
Gardai said: "Today, our members in Kilmainham carried out a search of a home and seized a large quantity of fireworks that were set to be used in the coming hours. Investigations are currently ongoing.
"As the sun sets and you head out for Halloween festivities, remember that fireworks aren’t just dangerous, they are illegal. Every year, fireworks and bonfires cause damage and inflict serious injuries. That's not even mentioning the distress they cause to pets. We urge you all to be mindful and stay safe tonight as you enjoy your Oíche Shamhna."
Parts of Ireland are set to be zapped by lightening tonight
Met Eireann has issued a last minute weather warning for three hours of chaos in several counties.
In a stark update today, the national forecaster said: "A cloudy start tonight with rain moving northeastwards across the country, heavy and possibly thundery across Munster and Leinster. As the rain clears, it will be followed by a mix of clear spells and scattered showers feeding in from the Atlantic. Lowest temperatures of 5C to 8C with moderate to fresh southwesterly winds."
The Status Yellow thunderstorm warning, active from 7pm until 10pm, covers Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork and Waterford, where torrential downpours, thunderstorms, spot flooding and difficult travelling conditions are expected to put a dampener on trick or treating plans.
These counties may already be hearing distant rumbles as the storm front sweeps in from the south, bringing sudden thundery downpours.
Irish homes who leave lights on for trick or treaters issued serious warning
Halloween is here, and households across the nation are preparing for an evening of visitors, ringing doorbells and characters wandering the streets.
But experts have issued a warning to Irish households who need to be alert to more than just their depleting trick or treating supplies over the course of the night. Recent studies have revealed that Halloween sees a 17% surge in crime-related insurance claims, with 60% of these incidents involving property theft.
And according to the specialists, your habit of leaving lights on or off for trick or treaters depending on whether you're in could actually make your home a prime target for burglars.
'We're not the fun police' insist Dublin Fire Brigade as Halloween chaos looms
Dublin Fire Brigade have insisted they're not the "fun police" and declared they just want youngsters "to have a happy but a safe Halloween".
Newly appointed Chief Fire Officer Greg O'Dwyer also revealed he reckons this year will be another busy one for firefighters after last year saw the highest number of callouts in a decade. It was revealed that the Dublin Fire Brigade received 494 calls, 421 of which were Halloween-related, during the 24 hours between midnight on October 31 and midnight on November 1, 2024.
During the same period, there were 435 ambulance call-outs. In 2023, there were just 185 Halloween-related calls. He said firefighters are still in the dark about what caused the spike last year, and said up until that point, the number of incidents was declining.
Each year, groups of youth stockpile wooden pallets and tyres to build a bonfire. In recent years, a hotline has been established so that residents in an area can report where materials are being stored, allowing them to be removed.
Mr O'Dwyer has said this has been a massive success, firstly by reducing the number of bonfires across the city as a whole, but the ones that remain are also smaller as a result.
Urgent recall for Halloween treats sold in Lidl and Aldi due to undeclared allergen
An urgent recall has been made for Halloween treats due to an undeclared allergen within the product.
The recall is being made because of a mispacking error for Rose Halloween Spooky Tea Cakes which are sold in Irish supermarkets including Lidl and Aldi. They were mispacked with Rose Orchard Tea Cakes.
That product contains egg, and as a result the ingredient is not mentioned on the label. The product is unsuitable for those who are allergic to or intolerant of eggs.
Dangerous fireworks openly sold online for Halloween as Dublin Fire Brigade warn of 'significant, life-changing injuries'
Dangerous fireworks are being openly sold on social media ahead of Halloween, we can reveal.
An investigation uncovered multiple accounts, which we are not naming, on both Instagram and Facebook, that are selling them. Some of the brazen dealers even offer a delivery service for certain areas of the capital while others encourage users to buy quickly as stock is running low.
One of the promotional “adverts” showed a pack of three ‘Neutron Star’ rockets going off. The seller wrote: “These mental things are back Monday.”
Traffic across the city this morning
The M50 southbound is heavy from J4 Ballymun to J9 Red Cow.
The M50 Northbound is slightly slow approaching J7 Lucan.
The Swords Road is slow heading through Drumcondra.
The Grand Canal inbound is heavy at the Parnell Road, Grove Road and Canal Road junctions.
Halloween in Dublin 2025 LIVE updates, bonfire warnings, and thunderstorm alarm
Halloween has arrived - and celebrations are set to get underway in Dublin soon.
But Met Eireann has dampened some spirits - of the living and the dead - by sounding a late thunderstorm alarm for the capital tonight. The national forecaster says there is a risk of thundery conditions this evening, as rain pushes over the city.
Dublin Fire Brigade have insisted they're not the "fun police" and declared they just want youngsters "to have a happy but a safe Halloween". Newly appointed Chief Fire Officer Greg O'Dwyer also revealed he reckons this year will be another busy one for firefighters after last year saw the highest number of callouts in a decade.
The DFB have also issued warnings after dangerous fireworks were being openly sold on social media ahead of tonight. An investigation uncovered multiple accounts, which we are not naming, on both Instagram and Facebook, that are selling them - and some of the brazen dealers even offer a delivery service for certain areas of the capital while others encourage users to buy quickly as stock is running low.
But away from the expected chaos, there are plenty of tricks and treats on Dublin streets to enjoy as Dublin City Council have a comprehensive lineup of local Halloween events.
