Who didn’t know that the myth of the terrifying Count of Dracula was created by an Irish man? *Raises hand shyly* Shockingly maybe, it only came to my realisation last year when I saw all the posters and advertisements for the Bram Stoker’s festival in Dublin. Bram Stoker wrote Dracula in 1897, changing the landscape of horror fiction forever. He is relevant today more than ever if you were to judge the massive popularity of vampires in pop culture. And this year, I’m ready to discover the dark side of Dublin and get to know Mister Stoker. The festival is held over 3 days from the 26th to the 28th of October, making it an unmissable runner-up to Halloween. Here are the 7 things I’m most stoked about the festival :

1. Reading the book

The festival is giving me the push I needed to finally tackle the classic. I’m about a quarter in and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! It is funny how the descriptions of the Count’s castle and its surroundings feel all too familiar, I didn’t realise how much the myth had seeped into my subconscious. It is also the perfect time of the year to read scary stories, the autumn air smelling of bonfires, a onesie, a hot cuppa; and I am in book heaven.

2. Firing up

The festival is setting up a fire garden on the Dublin Castle grounds. It is bound to be epic against the backdrop of the imposing structure.
More information and registration here

3. Shivering in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

Readings of Dracula in the heart of the mother of all cathedrals accompanied by a choir, an organ and all by candlelight. If this isn’t proper goosebumps material, I don’t know what is.
More information here

4. Dressing up!

You can’t celebrate vampires and the undead without whipping out the white paint, the fake blood and the plastic teeth, amirite?! Walks and hunts are organised on the pavements of Dublin, in which you can partake wearing your best attire. Several pubs in the Dame Street district will also join in the celebration and open their doors to devilish bloodsuckers.

5. Getting to see my first opera (and for free)

Yes, I’m thirty and I never ever been to the opera. A vampire opera performed in a Church sounds like an excellent place to start!
More information and registration here

6. Joining in a horror film marathon

Iconic Vampire movies in an open air cinema in the centre of Dublin’s old Town sounds like a deadly plan!
Film programme here

7. Meeting the giant skeleton

This is pretty self-explanatory…. look at his cute little face though!
Check where you’ll be able to spot him here

Do you plan to go to the Bram Stoker’s festival next week? What are you looking forward to the most? You will find all the information and event programme over at the Bram Stoker Festival website.

PS: Keep your eyes peeled for my video of the event!