A dad-of-one is set to terrify Dubliners with his very own house of horrors this Halloween.
Killiney man, Ken Carraher transformed his south Dublin home into a petrifying horrorfest despite being scared of the dark. Visitors will have to face a horrific host of zombies, ghouls, a ghastly cemetery, and an 8ft fire-breathing dragon (yes, you read that right).
Ken, who works as an electrician for ESB, has been converting his garden into a spookfest for 23 years – 13 of those to raise money for charity Debra Ireland - and hopes to hit a €10,000 target this weekend. Ken said: "A few years ago, I asked my daughter Aoife and her friends to pick out a charity and they came across children with the ‘Butterfly Skin’ condition, so since then, we’ve raised around €50,000 for Debra Ireland."
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Debra Ireland supports 300 people in Ireland with EB (epidermolysis bullosa), a rare condition that causes fragile, blistering skin. He added: "It is a fantastic charity, when I began to learn more and meet the patients who have this truly awful condition, I wanted to do something to help."
Ken said he's expecting around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors this weekend. There is no charge but everyone is encouraged to make a donation to Debra in collection boxes – or, if you prefer, a donation coffin.
Ken, who started 23 years ago with just two mannequins, has spent thousands of euro on props, lighting, and treats. Speaking about his wife, Gail, he said: "She is not normally fond of it but she’s mellowing! On the other hand, I am petrified of the dark, scary movies, and ghost stories.
“We live right beside the beach and anytime I’m out walking at night, I bring two torches.”
Ken’s Halloween House is Number 5 Bayview Court, Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Dublin. Public opening hours: 4-8pm this Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 4-9pm Monday (Halloween night).
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