North and south Leitrim Macra groups as well as Carrigallen Macra and various other local community groups are currently busy putting the final touches to preparations for Drumshanbo’s Haunted House. It will be located in a transformed unit at the local enterprise centre at Hilly Road.

The ghosts and ghouls of  ‘The ‘Fear Factory’ will stake their steely grip on visitors there on Friday, October 27; Sunday, October 29; and Tuesday, October 31.

The focus will be on ‘small scares’ from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, with admission €6. Guides will accompany the children and the tour is designed to suit younger age groups. ‘Big scares’ will move the action up a few notches with a tour for teenagers and adults. It kicks in from 9:00pm to 10:30pm, with admission at €8.

This is the sixth year of the Haunted House event which acts as a fundraiser for An Tostal Festival, Drumshanbo, as well as supporting local charities. “We have been preparing for this since mid-September,” said Hugh James Gallagher, chairperson of An Tostal Festival committee.haunted

“This is our first year in the enterprise centre; previously the event was held in an unused pub and then in an unused garage.

The Haunted House has 16 rooms and some exterior space, and is totally live – its takes up to 60 people to run it for the three days and it is different every year.

“People travel from all over the country, including Dublin and Wexford, for the experience,” he said. The invitation is open to all; the question is, will everyone make it to the end of the ‘disassembly’ line?