The Droichead Arts Centre is normally a peaceful place of uplifting creativity and artistry but this Friday 4th it will be transformed into a house of horrors when the Sluagh Horror Film Festival cuts through the darkness and flickers on to the screen.

Presented by the good people behind the Boyne Valley International Film Festival, the Sluagh Horror Film Festival is a one-day event featuring two full programmes of Irish horror short films, including “You’re Not Home” by Derek Ugochukwu, Ciarán Hickey’s “Callus” and “Postpartum” from Tania Nataro, with filmmaker Q&As.

Asked about the name “Sluagh” Drogheda based film director and one of the leading figures behind the festival, Frank Kelly, explained that Sluagh were “…evil fairy creatures who became too evil for the fairy realm and were exiled to wander the mortal realm and eventually die.

“However, they found they could survive by feeding on the souls of humans. Often taking avian form and travelling on the west wind. You could escape by getting inside, but once they had your scent they would stalk you forever.”

The festival includes a feature presentation of the incredibly chilling ‘A Dark Song’ from Samson Films. Writer/director Liam Gavin will be there as a special guest to take part in an interview live on stage with Sinead Brassil.

Co-Director Frank W. Kelly said, “We had so many great horror films come in this year that we found it hard to exclude them. So the idea of a stand-alone horror strand came about,” he continued. 

“Irish filmmakers do horror brilliantly and we’re delighted to be able to celebrate that with the Sluagh Horror Film Festival.”

For more details of the films and to buy your tickets (€7 per film, €8 for the feature screening or €18 for a full festival pass) CLICK HERE.

Sluagh Horror Film Festival is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, Louth County Council and Meath County Council, and sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.

Here's a taster of what to expect: