GRISLY ghouls galore, wicked witches and heart-stopping mummies are terrorising a Dublin home -- and everybody is invited.

Ken Carraher (50) has transformed his Killiney property into the scariest house in the country and 2,000 brave souls are expected to drop in this Halloween.

This is the tenth anniversary of Ken's spine-chilling dwelling and the horror fanatic has spent almost €5,000 to recreate his haunted house this year.

"I have 1,500 bags of sweets and 600 lollipops for trick-or-treaters, but I still don't think that will be enough," he said.

His wife Gail (40) and daughter Aoife (12) are just as excited to play host to the community.

The whole operation is a logistical nightmare with almost 2,000 Halloween items littered around the house.

"Most of the stuff is stored in the attic, we have one bedroom that is completely shelved out and packed with stuff, a shed and outdoor storage units."

There are new additions to the Halloween team this year including the "Rocking Granny".

"It's a decrepit old granny rocking on a squeaky rocking-chair, all on her own, everything moves from mummies eyes or witches arms waiting to grab you," said Ken, beaming.

There are also animated spiders that drop from the ceiling, walking hands and arms, scary mannequins and lots, lots more.

Goosebumps will be created by spooky sound effects and the smoke machines give an abandoned graveyard feel.

"We've built a marquee outside the house which people can come and visit," said Ken. "Inside, we've also decorated the house for just our friends, family and neighbours.

"My 12-year-old daughter Aoife and her friends then have a gazebo in the back garden which they decorate themselves," Ken said.

The ESB worker started the annual event with two mannequins he found in a condemned building in 1999, but the experience has evolved and is now a Killiney institution.

Halloween has become his passion and he is always on the lookout for spooky acquisitions he can add to his house.

"I don't drink or smoke so I've money to spend on this stuff and my family and I are always on the lookout for more scary things to buy."

Coffins

The house opened for business on Wednesday and will run until Halloween tomorrow night. It's open from 3-8pm, with younger children encouraged to come earlier.

Ken has even made three adjustable coffins so that anyone who wants to can experience the feeling of being buried alive.

A special charity coffin will also be on display so people can make a donation to Debra Ireland which helps people with Epidermolysis Bullosa -- a painful skin disorder.

hnews@herald.ie

- Cormac Byrne