Halloween – a time for thrills, chills and wonderful traditions. But did you know that everyone’s favorite spooky holiday began in Ireland?
Trace Halloween right back to its origins and you’ll find yourself in the mists of pagan Ireland over 3,000 years ago – a time when the ancient festival of Samhain was celebrated in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East to mark the beginning of winter.
Marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, Samhain was a time when the Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest. Bonfires were lit, costumes were worn to ward off spirits, and offerings were made to appease the otherworldly beings.
Why not go back there this year where festivalgoers and fans of folklore are in for a treat as Púca Festival returns to Co. Meath. Celebrating Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween, Púca is an authentic, immersive, and otherworldly festival. Vibrant, fun, and contemporary in feel but strongly rooted in tradition, Púca will take place in festival hubs Trim and Athboy in County Meath.
Just up the road in Derry in Northern Ireland you will get a different but equally spectacular Halloween experience. Brought to life by the people of the city over 35 years ago, Derry Halloween has become one of the world’s foremost Halloween and Samhain celebrations. From its meagre beginnings as a simple fancy dress party in the city’s Castle Bar, the event has grown as each Harvest ends, attracting revelers from all around the globe and showcasing a programme of arts, food, and music as well as cultural, contemporary and family events.
The Púca Festival (31st October- 3rd November) in County Meath reimagines ancient traditions with music, fire displays, storytelling, and food inspired by the Samhain spirt. Whilst in Northern Ireland, Derry Halloween (27th – 31st October) is renowned for being one of the best Halloween festivals in the world! With street parades, haunted trails along the city’s 400-year-old walls and even fireworks The Bram Stoker Festival (25th October – 28th October) celebrates the legacy of one of Ireland’s most beloved and iconic writers, author of the world-famous Dracula, with outdoor spectacles, choral performances and plays.
Halloween in Ireland is all about traditions. Whether that is in the food people eat or the games they play. Typical harvest fare such as barmbrack and colcannon are staples at this time of year as people celebrate with their families and gather together to bob for apples.
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