The inaugural Ballyshannon Halloween Festival 'Dracufest', will mark the centenary of the death of Bram Stoker, author of the 1897 gothic novel 'Dracula'.
Ballyshannon has a unique association with two of the world's most famous gothic writers. Bram Stoker's mother was Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley from Ballyshannon and Mary Shelley, author of the 1818 horror classic, Frankenstein was the grand daughter of Elizabeth Dixon of Main Street, Ballyshannon.
This festival will be centred around fun at Halloween, but will also take in special screenings of both Dracula and Frankenstein, featured talks and readings. One highlight will be an attempt to break the current world record for the number of vampires! Other events include a guided historical walk of Ballyshannon's ghostly past with Anthony Begley, readings from Frankenstein and Dracula by Ballyshannon Drama Society, a 5 kilometres cloak race, children's Halloween fancy dress party, adults fancy dress party, a murder mystery weekend, Dracula/Frankenstein lecture and a Rocky Horror type show.
Ballyshannon beware ... Dracula is coming this October, leading us into the ancient 'Mi na Marbh' (month of the dead)!
