Did you know that Halloween began in Ireland? In fact, many of our modern day customs come from Celtic traditions at Halloween!

Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo, Ireland, entry at Halloween — Ashford Castle entry decorated for Halloween

The Origins of Halloween Come From Ireland

Halloween originated from the fire festival of Samhain (sow-in) and has been celebrated in Ireland for about 2,000 years.

Speak Irish Samhain is also the Irish for November.

Samhain marked the division of the Celtic year, when light (summer) moved to dark (winter).

The festival began on October 31, the evening before the Celtic New Year on November 1st. On this evening the veil between the living and the spirit world was a thin veil. Pooka, banshees, and fairies, as well as other spirits, could travel freely.

Celtic Traditions at Halloween

Many of today’s Halloween traditions come from the customs of Samhain.

Ghouls roaming Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, County Clare, Ireland, at Halloween — Costumed ghouls at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Halloween Costumes

With so many spirits wandering the earth it was best to be prepared. Disguises were donned to confuse the spirits- if they thought you were also a spirit they wouldn’t carry you away! Costumes were also used to hide from the spirits of the dead who may hold a grudge!

What will your costume be this Halloween? Is it funny or scary?

Pumpkin carving at Westport House, Westport, County Mayo, Ireland — Pumpkin carving at Westport House

Carving Jack-o-Lanterns

On Samhain eve all fires were put out. Massive communal bonfires were lit, and from those embers all other fires were re-lit. To carry the embers home in the dark large root vegetables, usually turnips, were hollowed and carved to keep the ember aglow. The scary face was extra protection against the spirits.

Do you carve pumpkins for Halloween?

Trick or Treat

This custom began in Ireland when children and the poor would go door to door prior to Samhain. In return for songs or prayers for the dead the beggars were offered food, kindling, or small coins.

Do you have a trick to earn your treat?

References If You Wish To Know More

Halloween in Ireland- 3 Spooktacular Castle Celebrations in the West

Celebrating Halloween in the West of Ireland

A Magical Halloween Stay at Ashford Castle

Learn more Halloween words in Irish!

Old Irish Customs that Survive in Modern Ireland with author Felicity Hayes-McCoy (podcast)

Enough is Plenty: A Year on the Dingle Peninsula by Felicity Hayes-McCoy (book; Amazon affiliate link)

Celtic Festivals– and introduction

As an Irish dancer you’ve probably learned the ceili dance The Sweets of May. But did you ever wonder about the story behind it?

It All Begins with the Festival of Bealtaine

The Gaelic fire festival of Bealtaine (bee-awl-TAWN-neyh) marks the arrival of summer. A ‘cross-quarter day’, it marks the half-way point between between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.

In Irish mythology the beginning of the summer season on May 1 was celebrated with great bonfires built on a hilltop the evening before. These fires were often built in pairs – referred to as ‘twin bonfires’- so people and cattle could pass between. This ‘purification’ by fire was only one ritual to help them transition safely into the new season, and was was especially important as animals were moved to their summer pastures at Bealtaine.

Speak Irish: Bealtaine is the Irish word for May.

The Legend Behind the Sweets of May

It is told that an old dancing master in the county of Armagh was returning home on May Eve from a céilí in the early nineteenth century (early 1800s). As he passed by a fairy rath he spied the fae performing this dance. When the dancers reached the clapping movement all the bell-shaped flowers shook on their stems, ringing in time with the tune.

Inspired by the fairies the dance master is said to have created The Sweets of May or, in Irish, Aoibhneas ne Bealtaine.

The Significance of Flowers on May Day

‘Guard the house with a string of primroses on the first three days of May. The fairies are said not to be able to pass over or under this string.’

~ From the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin. NFC S.455:237. From Co Kerry.

While the fae may have been able to make the bluebells ring during their dance, these wee magical creatures can’t cross the yellow primrose. This symbol of the first day of spring was laid across doorsteps to encourage fairies to visit and bless the house and those living in it- but keep them from causing mischief inside!

This ritual led to the tradition of little gifts of flowers left on the door on May Day, which led to May Day baskets that you may remember with popcorn and small sweets.

References if you wish to know more: