House of horrors returns

Forget about Michael Noonan’s budget later this month, even though it might leave you shaking. If you want the pants (or whatever) scared off you, head along to the Nightmare Realm in Cork City.

Billed as Ireland’s premier scare house attraction, it opens its doors to a whole new underworld today.

The Nightmare Realm is an asylum of the damned, as testified by the 50,000 souls who have been traumatised by its inhabitants since it was established in 2009. This year the recurring nightmare promises to be bigger and freakier than ever.

Evil clowns Shivers and Badgers are back, and this year they’ve brought new twisted friends including a disfigured butcher, sacrificial priest, ancient tribal warriors, flesh-hungry zombies, and a disturbed serial killer — sounds like a Dáil sitting.

With the evolution of 3D movies and the ever increasing deluge of horror movies, the organisers promise that this year’s fright-fest will be that bit scarier than ever and you can be in your own nightmare. More than 30,000 are expected through the imposing doors this year.

For the scarily challenged or those who are freaked out at the thought of facing their fears, Nightmare Realm provides Zombie ‘insurance’ where the scare level will be reduced for the ‘policy holder’.

The Nightmare Realm house of horrors runs all month from today at Albert Quay in Cork City. It is strictly over 13s.

Opening hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 7pm to 10.30pm, with extended hours at the weekend.

For more info, check out thenightmarerealm.ie