Exploring the Top Ways to Experience Ireland, the Home of Halloween

On the hunt for eerie locations while traveling through Ireland? Here are a few suggestions!

Take a stab at pronouncing the Gaelic term Samhain. Give it a try!

The correct pronunciation is “SAH-win”, which represents the original Halloween. This ancient festival was celebrated by Celtic pagans in Ireland nearly 2,500 years ago, and it continues to be observed in the Emerald Isle today! If you're curious about the perfect time to explore Ireland and enjoy folklore, feasts, and celebrations, consider visiting during this spooky season!

Moreover, Samhain has shaped many of our current Halloween customs, so we’ll guide you on how to experience it and highlight the top destinations in Ireland to witness it all!

The Irish Roots vs. Modern Customs

Crafting Jack-o’-Lanterns

History:
The tradition of carving Jack-o’-lanterns originated in Ireland using turnips, not pumpkins! The Celts believed that during Samhain, spirits could cross into the living world. To scare them away, they would carve frightening faces into these root vegetables.

Present Day:
When Irish immigrants arrived in the United States, they adapted their tradition by carving pumpkins, which were indigenous to the area. They also discovered that pumpkins were much easier to carve with detailed designs!

Places to Visit: The Ancient Celts honored Samhain throughout the British Isles, not solely in Ireland! In the U.K., Belfast stands out as a prime location for Halloween enthusiasts, featuring scary film screenings, Halloween-themed museum events, and pumpkin (not turnip) patches where you can carve your very own jack-o-lantern!

Donning Costumes

History:
During Samhain, the Celts would cloak themselves as ghosts and demons, so that any wandering spirits would not confuse them for humans and cause them harm! Costumes were crafted by hand; back then, local costume shops were definitely not a thing in October.

Present Day:
Today, we wear costumes not to shield ourselves from spirits but to enjoy the festivities! While many costumes are still handmade, you now have the convenience of purchasing them from local stores and online!

Places to Visit: Dublin boasts numerous costume festivals during this season. The city hosts one of the world's finest Halloween celebrations—the Samhain Parade, which honors both ancient and contemporary traditions, and of course, the spirit of costumes!

Trick-or-Treating 

History:
Initially, the Celts would set banquet tables filled with tasty dishes to satisfy the appetites of wandering spirits. In the Middle Ages in Scotland, the custom of “mumming” gained popularity. Scots would dress as demons, ghosts, and other mystical beings, entertaining others with comedic performances in exchange for food and drink. 

Present Day:
From the 19th century until the 1930s, Halloween was primarily a time for mischief among children. To balance out the tricks with some treats, parents began distributing gifts! These started as coins, toys, or homemade goods, but eventually evolved into candy as the holiday gained more popularity.

Places to Visit: Experience the traditional feasting and drinking at reputedly haunted pubs in Dublin, such as The Brazen Head (the oldest pub in the city!) or Kavanagh’s, affectionately known as “The Gravediggers” because it’s built into a cemetery wall!

Illuminating Candles and Fires

History:
Not every aspect of Samhain involves malevolent spirits! In ancient times, towering bonfires were lit to help guide gentle, lost souls on their journey to the afterlife. 

Present Day:
On Halloween, we typically illuminate jack-o’-lanterns with candles and not much else. However, in Ireland, bonfires have largely been supplanted by another dazzling display–fireworks and electric parades! 

Places to Visit: If you're keen on experiencing a Samhain light spectacle, Cork’s Halloween parade is a must-see! The centerpiece? The Dragon of Shandon–an enormous, 36 ft. dragon crafted entirely from tape and adorned with vibrant lights!

Alternatively, visit Glasgow, Scotland, for a stunning Halloween fireworks display and a lantern parade that will captivate visitors!