This Halloween, a truly immersive haunted house experience is set to take over the historic St. Columb’s Hall, with thrills and chills awaiting those daring to enter.
Visitors to Derry during the Samhain season can embrace the darkness of The Black Hall, with the spooky spectacular taking place from 26th October until 31st October.
Opening Times
5.00pm – 11.00pm, Thu
rsday 26th & Friday 27th October
12.00pm – 11.00pm, Saturday 28th to Monday 30th October
12.00pm – 6.00pm, Tuesday 31st October
Jonathan Burgess, curator of The Black Hall experience explains how this frightening phenomenon came to be: “Long ago in the Maiden City there once resided a famous actor called Sir Henry Flynn. People would travel from far and wide to see Sir Henry grace the stage with his thrilling theatre troupe, watching in awe as they entertained members of the public, dignitaries and even on unique occasions, royalty.
“His company worked collectively as ‘The Theatre of Life’, presenting the finest dramatics of its day in the celebrated hall. Sir Henry was regarded as one of the greatest actors to tread the boards nationally and because of his status, had received a lucrative offer to star in a new form of medium at the time, the feature film.
“This cinematic opportunity required Sir Henry to shoot on location in the deepest, darkest depths of Eastern Europe. This exotic production was to make him a worldwide star, but fame did not come without risks. Dreadful occurrences had befallen the members of the scouting location crew, leaving some to return to their homes plagued by afflictions, while others simply vanished into the abyss. Whispers spread that a menacing curse had creeped its way into the production.
“Amidst the ominous warnings echoing through the shadows, the enigmatic Sir Henry dared to cast himself in the upcoming motion picture, defying the cautionary whispers that shrouded him. Yet, as the tale unfolds, an unsettling legend emerges, a tale of Sir Henry’s consuming envy and possessiveness over ‘his’ troupe of performers. Legend tells of his wicked descent into a jealous frenzy, cruelly entrapping all members of ‘The Theatre of Life’ within the sinister embrace of The Hall before departing.
“Upon his return, anticipation of a grand revival morphed into a nightmarish reality as Sir Henry chose to shroud the Hall in darkness, leaving the imprisoned souls within. Whispers stirred that something had shifted in him during his absence—both in his demeanour and his appearance.
“Over the years, rumours transformed into haunting tales of Sir Henry and his captive performers. It is said that those who ventured into the heart of the theatre were swallowed by silence, never to emerge again. These tales, while steeped in myth and mystery, seem to come to life at Halloween.”
“Growing up amid these tales, one truth remains certain—the secrets that lie within The Black Hall are known only to the shadows… until now. The doorway to another dimension will soon reopen, are you brave enough to enter?”
This haunted attraction at St. Columb’s Hall will add to the spectacle of Derry’s Halloween festival, Europe’s largest celebration of the eerie event.
Opening times for The Black Hall are as follows:
5.00pm – 11.00pm, Thursday 26th & Friday 27th October
12.00pm – 11.00pm, Saturday 28th to Monday 30th October
12.00pm – 6.00pm, Tuesday 31st October
Beat the queue by pre-booking your tickets for The Black Hall Haunted House Experience at St. Columb’s Hall. Secure your timeslot in advance here: bit.ly/3PjGNt1
Pre-booking will ensure a shorter wait time but does not ensure priority entrance to the event.
The Black Hall will also host several Relaxed Experience performances, featuring reduced sensory stimulation, relaxed house rules, and a supportive environment catering to a wider range of sensory and cognitive needs.
Relaxed Experience performances will take place:
12.00pm – 1.00pm Saturday 28th October
12.00pm – 1.00pm Sunday 29th October
12.00pm – 1.00pm Tuesday 31st October
Pre-booking is available for these performances.
This event is not for the faint hearted and is recommended for ages 10 and above.
For more information, visit www.theblackhall.co.uk or www.facebook.com/TheBlackHallDerry