Here are the best places to go pumpkin-picking in Ireland this Halloween

A handy guide for anyone wanting to pick out their own crop to carve in the coming weeks

There are all kinds of thrills and chills taking place at Killarney Pumpkin Farm this month

The evenings are getting darker, the weather a little cooler, the leaves are turning red and gold, and pumpkin-picking season is here.

You can of course buy a pumpkin of any shape and size at your local farmers’ market or fruit and veg shop, but there’s something organic about picking your own in the farm where it’s been grown.

Pumpkin-picking with the family has become a popular autumn pursuit, so make sure you book your tickets in advance.

And remember, it’s October so it’s a good idea to be prepared for any weather — pack those raincoats, wellies, and umbrellas. It gets mucky on the farm in the rain too, so think about popping a waterproof overall into the car for young kids.

Cork

Joe’s Farm Crisps, Ballycurraginny, Killeagh, Co. Cork, P36 X582

[e-mail], 087 632 9334, open on weekends in October between 10am-3pm. Tickets are €25 for a ‘picker’ and €15 for a ‘non-picker’. A non-picker ticket is only valid with a picker ticket joesfarmcrisps.ie/pumpkin-picking-booking

As well as picking pumpkins and vegetables from the farm, there will be many other activities including live music performances and appearances from different Disney princesses who will offer face-painting services.

Pumpkin Patch at The Farm, Ballymorisheen, Grenagh, T23 VH79

[e-mail], 021 4629816. Selected dates from Sunday, October 11 to October 31. Tickets are €12.50 per adult, €18.50 per child and €6 per baby on The Farm Grenagh. visitthefarm.ie

Pumpkin-picking slots are available between 10am and 3pm each day. Besides picking a pumpkin, you can also meet the witches in the barn and visit the spooky graveyard. You can meet the animals too, take a spin on the barrel ride, and enjoy the playground. Each ticket includes farm entry and a pumpkin.

Ovens Pumpkin Patch, Curraghbeg, Ovens, P31 VR99

[e-mail], 087 0029274. Open on Saturday, October 17, Sunday, October 18, Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25. Tickets are €11.50 for admission only and €16.50 for admission plus a pumpkin pumpkinpatchcork.ie/book-tickets. Entry times are between 10am and 3pm.

A baby gets in the mood for Halloween at Piltown Pumpkin Patch in Meath 

This year, visitors can explore the farm’s live pumpkin vines to pick their own pumpkins. There will be pumpkin bowling, a ‘spot the skeleton’ maze, a spooky trail and nature walk, and an opportunity to meet the farm’s Shropshire sheep. Note: this is a working farm so wellies and raingear are advised.

Kerry

Killarney Pumpkin Farm, Headford, V93 HXF6

[e-mail], open from October 10 on weekends and on Halloween week. Tickets are €19.50 and family bundles are available from €18. Book tickets on Eventbrite

The pumpkin-picking is part of a larger Samhain celebration at the farm where your ticket includes face painting, carnival games, character meets, pixie disco, ghost storytelling with a Seanchaí, alpacas, a corn maze, and many photo stops to capture the magic of the season.

Galway

Galway Pumpkin Patch, Castletaylor Estate, Ardrahan, H91 CX3W

[e-mail], open from October 10 on weekends and Halloween week. Three dog-friendly dates — Sunday, October 11, Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31. Dogs must be kept on a lead. Dogs cannot attend outside of those dates.

Family tickets cost €42.50 (two adults and one child) and individual tickets are €15, under 18 months free. Book tickets on the Galway Pumpkin Patch website. The farm is fully buggy- and wheelchair-friendly, with paths dotted all over the site.

You can pick your pumpkins, meet the farm animals, enjoy the playground with its sandpit and slides, and visit the Pumpkin House.

Meath

Pilltown Pumpkin Patch, Ballymad Farm, A92 HK44.

Available dates are October 26, 28, 29, 30 and a sensory day on October 16. Tickets are €10.50 and include a small pumpkin. Under 2s go free.

Book your tickets on the Ballymad Farm website.

As well as picking a pumpkin, each ticket includes access to Archie’s Acre Animal Farm, a tractor ride, entry to the maize maze, a not-so-spooky woodland walk, and plenty of photo opportunities.

Navan

Adventure Centre, Navan Racecourse, Proudstown Road, Navan, C15 X8HP

[e-mail], 085 236 6322. Open on Saturday, October 24, Sunday, October 25 and Monday, October 26. Sensory-friendly session on October 24 between 10.30am and 11am. Tickets are €19.90 for a child over 2, child aged 1-2 €10.90 and adult tickets are €10.90.

Each child ticket includes a pumpkin. navanadventure.ie/halloween-event

There’s plenty to do aside from pumpkin-picking, with 13 separate activities included with a child’s ticket, like a live magic show, a spooky witch’s slime-making lab, or zombie laser tag.

• If you have a pumpkin farm and want to be added to the list, please send us an email with details to [e-mail]