As kids of all ages get pumped over pumpkins and giddy over ghosts this week, Tourism Ireland reminds that the event can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, thereby rendering the destination as the true “home of Halloween” – a “holiday” that is still taken seriously around the country while lending traditions that are rooted in Irish folklore to the rest of the modern world.
“Ireland is a land where ancient traditions entwine with supernatural events,” says the tourist board, explaining that to its ancient Celtic forebearers, Samhain marked the start of winter, when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest and supernatural spirits roam the earth, resulting in a host of rituals that have transformed into some of the spooky traditions that remain today:
- Jack-o’-lanterns: Carved turnips (and other root vegetables like potatoes and beets) were illuminated with candles and placed on windows and doorstops to ward off unwanted visitors and mischievous spirits. The practice was later adopted in North America using pumpkins which more accessible and abundant.
- Costumes: Wearing costumes and masks at Samhain was thought to help deceive unfriendly spirits and avoid being called to the otherworld before your time.
- Trick-or-treating: Nervous living folk would attempt to appease these same wandering spirits with gifts of fruit and nuts, which may be the origin of the now ubiquitous practice of trick or treating.
For those who visit the Home of Halloween at the end of October, there are a number of Irish festivals that surprise and delight with timeless traditions dating back more than 2,000 years.
Here are three spooky season festivals of note:
- Derry Halloween (Oct. 28-31 – Northern Ireland) is Europe’s largest Halloween celebration. The Walled City comes alive each October with the spirit of Samhain during this long-running festival that includes otherworldly circus performances, a spirited Halloween parade, fireworks, baking demonstrations, folklore-inspired storytelling sessions and more.
- Púca Festival (Oct. 30-Nov. 3 – County Meath) reimagines Samhain traditions with four nights of ceremonial bonfires, live music, feasting, folklore and fun. The otherworldly festival takes place in Ireland’s Ancient East across the towns of Trim and Athboy, and pays homage to the púca – a mysterious creature from Irish folklore who can change the fortunes of anyone who meets it.
- Bram Stoker Festival (Oct. 31-Nov. 4 – Dublin) is a Gothic-inspired celebration honouring Irishman Bram Stoker, the legendary author of Dracula. On the last weekend in October, Ireland’s capital welcomes a host of international musicians and literary figures for ghoulish performances, ghost tours and costumed revelry.
If this article was shared with you by a friend or colleague, you may enjoy receiving your own copy of Travel Industry Today with the latest travel news and reviews each weekday morning. It’s absolutely free – just CLICK HERE.