Thousands took the streets of Dublin in anticipation of a city centre Halloween Parade - which never transpired! It turns out Dubliners had been tricked by a listing on a AI-generated website in Pakistan advertising a spooky festival.
The My Spirit Halloween website falsely advertised the Macnas Halloween Parade would take place from 7pm to 9pm from Parnell Street to Christchurch Cathedral.
Award-winning performing, Galway based arts group Macnas have held an annual Halloween Parade in Dublin since 2013, with witches, zombie dancers and wolves shuffling down Capel Street.
However it slowly dawned on the gathering hundreds on Thursday evening that they were being played for fools!
The situation forced Gardaí to issue message for those waiting on O’Connell Street to “disperse safely.”
A spokesperson said: “Please be advised that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin city centre this evening or tonight.
“All those gathered on O’Connell Street in expectation of such a parade are asked to disperse safely.”
One attendee said on X: “People waiting for a Halloween parade. No Gardaí around, no official announcement, people waiting on the wrong side of the road...Someone did pull a big hoax.”
Another replied: “The real lesson to be learned here is that a lot of people would clearly attend a Halloween parade and Dublin City Council should organise one next year.”
Sinn Fein councillor Janice Boylan said: “Everyone is trying to have a fun and safe Halloween. Having a parade to go to sounded really good. I know an awful lot of people turned up. It’s a terrible pity.”
The My Spirit Halloween listing was taken down on Friday morning. The site curates Halloween events spanning the globe. It was the first Halloween Parade after a four year hiatus over lockdown - but there were no plans for one in 2024.
Google Search "MySpiritHalloween.com" October 31
Please be advised that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin City Centre this evening or tonight.
All those gathered on O’Connell Street in expectation of such a parade are asked to disperse safely.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/KmVPFKEZbP
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) October 31, 2024
