Halloween has more history than just bowls overflowing with candy and ghouls and goblins traipsing through the streets. In Ireland, which is thought to be the birthplace of this now widely celebrated kid-friendly holiday, a number of time-tested traditions still ring true today. Here’s a look at the day’s history and how it’s celebrated—Irish style.
All Hallow’s Eve History
Like much of Ireland’s history, the roots of modern-day Halloween celebrations are said to trace back to the Celts, who occupied what is now Ireland more than 2,000 years ago. In short, the Celtic people held a festival known as “Samhain” at the end of the harvest before the cold of winter. Celebrated on October 31, the lines between the living and the dead were blurred on this day; many thought the spirits of the dead returned to earth on this day. When Christianity reached the Celts, Samhain began to blend with the church’s celebration of All Saints’ Day on November 1, thus the evening before this day is known as All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween and has taken the forefront of the autumnal celebration.
Trick or Treating
While the treats may have changed from loaves of bread and apples to chocolate and candy, the idea behind trick or treating remains the same. Originally, costumed young men would visit homes and riddle the occupants with a rhyme that asked for food. They were then treated to the traditional Irish fare that was on the stove or given fruit and bread to take away. Today, this tradition continues with community gatherings—both in Ireland and abroad—where children receive bounty at the front doors of neighbors.
Feasting on Colcannon and Barmbrack Cake
Many households celebrate the occasion with a traditional Irish meal, which often includes the satisfying dish known as Colcannon (see our recipe here!). In addition to the main meal, Barmbrack Cake—a sweet bread with fruit and baked-in objects that are said to reveal one’s fortune—is also served. The cakes typically include the following: a rag, which symbolizes an uncertain financial future; a coin, which equals a prosperous year; a ring, symbolizing budding romance or marriage; and a thimble or stick, meaning you’ll be unlucky in romance.
Gathering Around a Bonfire
In ancient times, the Celtic festival was celebrated with bonfires. Numerous sources attempt to explain these fires. All seem to concur that were lit to ward off spirits; however, accounts vary on the other meanings. Today, bonfires are still a part of fall and harvest celebrations in Ireland and around the world.
What other Irish Halloween traditions do you incorporate into your celebration?
I have really enjoyed your gift books over the years. Now I find myself out of work (retired) and out of money. Would you be able to stop them just until St. Patrick’s Day? THANK you! Robin J. Barker
On your Irish roots of Halloween newsletter story, I was surprised to see you did not include the jack-o-lantern. In ancient Ireland, on All Hallows’ Eve, the celts would cut open the tops and hollow out pumpkins, placing a candle inside, to light the way for the spirits to cross from the land of the living to the land of the dead. This is believed to be where jack-o-lanterns started. Today’s newsletter would have been the place to include that tale, but Halloween is still two weeks away. There’s still time…
My grandfather being Irish told many great ghost stories and legends about Ireland. My favorite is about the lord of one castle had the hand of his enemy chained in a room because he was afraid it would kill him. He was found strangled to death with a piece of finger in his mouth and the hand was gone. They found the hand at the grave of the man to whom it belonged. I always thought it was just a story until I saw the Riley flag with two lions holding a bloody hand. Now I’m beginning to wonder.
Tir na Nog, or the land of the eternally youthful, opened up on Halloween and living humans could mix it up with the everliving (no aging at all) from the other side. On earth, we age and die but in Tir na Nog, things stay the same always. Descriptions of the place are in the epic tale of Cuchulain going to the place after falling into a deep sleep during festivities above ground. He wanders around below ground enjoying the sights and helping with battles. Then he returns after a year but keeps meeting Fand (a lady he met in Tir na Nog) near the lake. His wife Emer objects to this and threatens Fand so she returns to her usual place.
This is quite interesting! Happy Halloween everyone!