Cosy Stays and Autumn DaysÂ
As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to turn, there’s something special about escaping to Roscommon for a cosy autumn break. With Halloween just around the corner, what better way to enjoy a cosy stay at Gleeson’s?
From discovering the origins of Halloween at Rathcroghan to exploring Strokestown Park by candlelight, there’s plenty to experience in Roscommon this October.
Just a 20-minute drive from Gleeson’s, Rathcroghan is a landscape full of ancient Irish history, home to prehistoric burial mounds, ringforts and the legendary Oweynagat Cave.
This Halloween, Rathcroghan Visitor Centre is hosting its Origins of Samhain tour, offering a fascinating glimpse into the ancient traditions behind Halloween as we know it today.Samhain (pronounced sow-in) is an ancient Gaelic festival marking the end of summer and the beginning of the darker winter months. It was a time when communities celebrated the final harvest and prepared for the cold season ahead. During this transitional period, it was believed that the boundary between this world and the Otherworld grew thin, allowing supernatural beings to cross between the two.
Oweynagat plays an important part in this mythology and was believed to be a gateway to the Otherworld, from which fearsome creatures could emerge into the mortal world.
For anyone interested in Irish history, folklore and the origins of Halloween, it’s a perfect way to spend an autumn afternoon in Roscommon. Tours operate at 12pm and 2pm. Find out more in the link below.
https://www.rathcroghan.ie/tours-events/halloween-at-rathcroghan/
Shake off the chills with a warming post-tour lunch in our restaurant. Enjoy a hearty lamb stew, prepared with herbs freshly picked from our townhouse garden, or explore our menu for a variety of delicious dishes to warm you up after your autumn adventures.
https://gleesonsroscommon.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/35th-Anniversary-Menu_Final.pdf
After lunch, enjoy a drink in our bar before settling in for the evening in one of our recently renovated suites, designed to feel like a home away from home. Wake refreshed the following morning and enjoy a delicious breakfast in our restaurant before heading out to explore Roscommon Castle.
As evening draws in, make your way to Strokestown Park for something a little spookier. This Halloween, the historic house hosts an atmospheric candlelit walking tour, uncovering untold stories of Strokestown Park and its former inhabitants. The tour includes a visit to the resting place and crypt of Major Denis Mahon and his family — an experience that’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.
https://strokestownpark.ie/event/after-dark-house-tour/
With ancient folklore, atmospheric autumn evenings and plenty to discover across Roscommon, Halloween is the perfect excuse for a relaxing getaway.
Why not make a break of it? Book your autumn stay at Gleeson’s today.
https://booking.roomraccoon.com/gleesons-townhouse/en/?dateStart=17-09-2026&dateEnd=18-09-2026