Newtownabbey horror fan and TikTok Hauntéire host Erin builds thriving movie club Horrorble Monday
For most young children, watching horror classic The Exorcist would be enough to keep them awake at night.
But for Newtownabbey woman Erin McMenamy, it sparked a lifelong love of the genre that has grown into a thriving horror movie club.
"I remember watching The Exorcist very young – possibly 6 years old - and my mum and dad must’ve known there was something different about me, because instead of being scared I was enjoying it and laughing along,” Erin said.
The 27-year-old is founder of TikTok channel Hauntéire and host of Horrorble Monday Movie Club.
The club had its roots in 2025, when Erin moved from making paranormal investigation content to livestreaming chats about the horror genre. “I just talked about [movies] and asked for recommendations. I quickly realised how many famous movies I still hadn't seen and one of my friends suggested I start a sort of 'club',” she added. “I did my first one on a Monday and that's where the name Horrorble Monday sprung from.”
A typical livestream begins at 9.30pm with a welcome and a generic topic – for example, asking viewers to share their top scary movies. “Commenters will come in and name their favourites and give their opinions on others,” said Erin, a Property Marketing Manager for a family-run business. “I'll then talk about the movies of the week. I set a watchlist each week of two movies and the objective is for people to watch them in their own time, and then join the livestream while I talk about them.
"They can actively contribute in the comments while I discuss the movies, and I will talk about trivia, ask different questions and encourage a discussion. The option is there for someone to speak on the stream with me if they have anything they want to say in more detail.
"After talking about the movies I usually go back to different horror topics – for example, ‘tell me your controversial horror opinions’, which encourages loads of discussion. I finish up around midnight, sometimes later if the going is good.
"I maintain a very positive atmosphere even when I don't necessarily agree, because horror is so subjective and people have such a wide range of opinions. It's fascinating and never gets old!”
Global audience
The channel’s audience has grown from 2,000 in its early days to over 14,000. “I've got people [from] all around the world but I would say most are from Ireland, the UK, and USA,” its founder added.
For Erin, who lists her own horror ‘top five’ as The Sixth Sense, The Woman in Black, Insidious, Halloween 3: Season of the Witch, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the club has been instrumental in forming connections with other fans of the genre. “It's been huge in expanding my knowledge of horror and I've found so many new favourites by watching movies I thought I wouldn't have enjoyed. I always say the club has been a way to hold myself accountable and watch more of the genre I love!”
A few months ago, Erin decided to branch out into private, in-person screenings of the latest horror releases. “I noticed there were a lack of events for horror fans in Northern Ireland, and also a lack of opportunities for horror content creators/writers,” she explained. "Premieres or press screenings of new films are typically in Dublin or London. I knew I couldn't host premieres, but I thought the next best thing would be to host private screenings for horror fans, either on opening day or close to it to create a great atmosphere watching these new movies.”
Movie House Belfast Cityside has been the venue so far for the private events, with Erin aiming to host the screening on the day of release. "The first screening was for Evil Dead Burn on July 15. Around 40 people came, and I did a welcome with my friend John Devlin who is a local comedian. Then we all sat back to enjoy the movie. Everyone got a little goodie bag after with horror stickers and a bit of Horrorble Monday merch.”
Encouraging feedback
Screenings are open to all horror fans – and the feedback so far has been encouraging. “Most people comment on the atmosphere and how you can feel that everyone in the room actually wants to be there,” Erin said. “Cinema etiquette has gone rapidly downhill in recent years so I make a point of encouraging people to turn their phones off, live in the moment - have a laugh and remark of course, but don't disrupt or ruin the experience for those around you.
"Ryan Hollinger, a very well known horror YouTuber from NI with over 700,000 subscribers, came to my second screening which was for Insidious: Out of the Further. I had a lengthy chat with him afterwards - he's a lovely guy! There's not a huge amount of people advocating for horror in NI so it's important to connect with those who share the same passion.”
Meanwhile, Erin’s interest in the paranormal extends beyond the movie club, particularly through her fascination with graveyard history and restoration.
She volunteers when she can at Friars Bush Graveyard beside the Ulster Museum and regularly visits Carnmoney’s Hidden Cemetery.
As for what she’d most like to see within Northern Ireland’s growing horror community, fan conventions, stores stocking horror merchandise, opportunities for early press screenings or premieres for new horror releases, and more alternative hangout spots in Belfast and Northern Ireland rank highly. “I have a few good ideas that I would love to bring to life down the line if I get the opportunity,” Erin added. “I would love the [Hauntéire] events to keep growing, maybe being able to offer them in different locations across NI. I would also love to have had the opportunity to host a premiere or be involved in bringing a premiere of a new horror film to Belfast.”