PASSENGERS on the main railway lines from Belfast had better beware tomorrow as hundreds of wizards and witches will be riding past them on the Hogwarts Express.
They will be onboard the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s Broomstick Belle steam train, itself old enough to tell a few ghostly tales. The 133-year-old steam locomotive at the front and a train full of children [and adults] in fancy dress, promises to be a moving cauldron of seasonal fun.
“Railways have long been associated with the paranormal, but our Broomstick Belle train is all light-hearted spooky fun” said Mervyn Darragh, RPSI operations officer.
“The Harry Potter films brought the Hogwarts Express into our homes and now all the little wizards want to be seen on a steam train just like their hero Harry.”
The trains will leave from Belfast Central station at 10.55, 13.55 and 16.25 for the 90-minute return trips. Tickets cost £11 and are on sale (by phone or over the counter) from Belfast Welcome Centre (028 9024 6609) and also online from www.steamtrainsireland.com.
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Meanwhile ghouls and ghosts are also set to bring Carrickfergus Castle to life today when the castle will open from 11am to 3pm and will host a fun-packed Halloween Ghostly Gathering.
Organisers say this is an opportunity to encounter some of the characters that supposedly haunt this beautiful castle – and not just at night.
Believe what you like, but since the castle was built by John de Courcy, after the 1177 invasion of Ulster, the storytellers recall how its rooms and battlements have acquired some scary characters and ghostly residents.
There will be lots of other great festive stories and music along with children’s craft activities and ghoulish face-painting.
Children in fancy dress will get free admission, as will those under four.
Normal admission is £5 for adults, and £3 for children and senior citizens.
But if Nanny McPhee and is more your thing, dust off your broomsticks and capes and visit one of the National Trust spooktacular events in mid-Ulster.
The Argory in Moy will offer a unique Halloween experience at Pumpkins and Potions today and tomorrow from noon-5pm.
Enter the spook shed for some ghoulish tales with Nanny McPhee and visit the witches’ kitchen to see what’s brewing.
Follow the graveyard trail around the estate and carve out a Jack O’Lantern to take home.
But the spooks don’t end there as Springhill in Moneymore prepares for a day of fun and frights at the Springhill Spooktacular tomorrow from 1pm-5pm. Follow the goblin, the scarecrow and the troll around Springhill to find the ingredients to make witches’ potion.
Carve a pumpkin to take home and enjoy ghoulish games and crafts.
Take a tour of Springhill House, home to one of Northern Ireland’s most documented ghosts, Olivia Lenox-Conyngham. Who knows? You might even catch a glimpse of her on your visit.
For more information contact The Argory on 028 87784 753 or Springhill on 028 86748 210. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ni or follow at Facebook/NationalTrustMidUlster