18/10/2026
Is this Ireland’s most terrifying Halloween experience? Last week, a few members of the Cornmaze Massacre cast took part in an on-street pop-up (appearing in character) and within hours, national broadcasters were in touch to find out more. The organisers confirmed that the chainsaws used were theatrical props. This got us intrigued, so we went behind the scenes at Secret Valley Wildlife Park during Cornmaze Massacre’s opening weekend. The attraction has assembled more than 50 actors for this year’s production, which the organisers say covers 13 horror zones across six acres.
Behind it are Secret Valley owners Ann O’Connor and her daughter Shauna, park managers Amy O’Donohue and Emma Klaasen, and Cornmaze Massacre creative director Aaron Doyle. The cast, largely recruited locally, works with make-up artists, costume and set designers, and the wider production team. There is a considerable amount to prepare for a show with only five October dates. The people coming out on opening weekend seemed well aware of the effort, even when they weren’t particularly keen to repeat the experience. “Absolutely incredible,” said one. Another picked out effects they had never seen before. One visitor praised how well it had been put together, reported a heart rate of 148 and said they would never do it again.
The route passes through an abandoned farmyard, woodland and the corn maze, with performers stationed throughout. Fog, loud sound effects and strobe lighting are part of the production. This is the night-time scare attraction; the park’s daytime family event is separate.
One visitor described the uncertainty particularly well: “It’s a hundred miles an hour. You never knew what was coming.” For others, the now “infamous” chainsaw characters were the best part of the evening. There was consistent praise for the actors, with visitors mentioning how closely they interacted with every group.
Backstage, several of those performers were still getting used to the idea themselves. Rachel, a zookeeper during the week, is doing her first season in the scare cast. “Don’t know what I signed up for. I kind of regret my decision now,” she told us, before adding that she was excited. Another scare actor, Ava, playing a hillbilly, saw no need to complicate her reason for joining: “Who wouldn’t want to scare the living daylights out of people?”
Before visitors reach any of that, there is the arrival area, where the cast mingle, people take photographs and the new Shock Chairs have been attracting volunteers. Ann says getting the two chairs to Secret Valley took some organising. They are now installed side by side, with metal handrests and a control panel between them.
Ann founded Secret Valley in 2007 as a small family farm. It is now home to more than 200 animals across over 40 species, with its 20th anniversary approaching next year.
The family Halloween programme has become an important part of the park’s year, and parents looking at the Cornmaze photographs should know that the daytime visit is a different experience, designed for families and younger children. The characters are there to welcome them. This year’s Witches’ Village has been completely reimagined. Families follow the woodland route and pass through the old farmyard, visiting the little houses and meeting their residents. Five designated trick-or-treat stations provide stops along the way.
Admission to the wildlife park is included in the daytime Halloween ticket. Keeper talks, animal encounters and play areas remain part of the visit, alongside the Witches’ Village, Monsters’ Woodland Walk and pumpkin patch. Families should leave time for the animals rather than treating the Halloween route as the whole outing.
It is worth giving Ann and the team credit for developing both programmes. Preparing a family attraction during the day and a large scare production at night is a substantial undertaking, particularly while the regular work of the wildlife park continues.
The frustrating part of Cornmaze Massacre is how short the run is. There were only five October performance nights. The opening weekend has already accounted for two.
The remaining dates are Friday, October 23rd, Saturday, October 24th, and Friday, October 30th. It does not run every night through Halloween, so anyone planning a visit needs to choose a date and book ahead.
Is Cornmaze Massacre Ireland’s most terrifying experience? Well, judging by the public’s reaction, it certainly seems that way. The enthusiasm for the cast, the effects and the production has been fantastic.
