Scones in Samhain *(Sow-en)
Since it is spooky season, why not celebrate in the origins of Halloween- Ireland! Read this article to learn about Irish folklore you can share with families and friends, no matter which part of the globe you live.
Dunguaire Castle- Photo take 10-29-2024
The Irish Púca
Talking to animals seems like a benevolent gift, especially considering how cute and friendly our pets seem. However, what happens when darkness comes around and the animal speaking is a demon? Similar to a werewolf, the Irish Púca shapeshifts. Typically it becomes a black horse, but some myths describe its forms as a rabbit, dog, cat, donkey, hare, and wolf. So, if you happen to be traveling in the island of Ireland this Samhain season, beware of the shadows you may see…
Read more about the Púca here.
*Boyne Valley holds a Púca Festival at the end of October.
The Headless Horseman Inspiration
While the original story was written in the United States, Washington Irving may have gotten inspiration from Ireland’s legends and eerie ash trees. Driving through the winding roads, gazing upon the skeletal, hand-like branches of trees, I definitely could see many spooky stories being based off of the Irish country landscape.
Hag of Beara
I hope witnessing the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher is on your bucket list. Any time of year is sure to impress your mind. However, I encourage you all to visit around Halloween. November 1st is the birthday of the Irish witch Beara, the Cliffs serving as her home. For my fellow Mahoning Valley/Pennsylvanian friends, Punxsatwaeny Phil has some competition… She also is a predictor of weather changes in the spring. The myth claims that on February 1st, depending whether she is asleep or awake, signifies winter ending soon or continuing. Her story was also an inspiration for C.S. Lewis’s White Witch in the Narnia stories. Check out this blog to read more about her significance.
Stingy Jack
Ever wonder why you risk slicing your fingers every year to create some “wonderful” work of art on a fruit? Well you can thank the Irish! Cork was the first place this practice began. According to legend, a man named Jack was able to trick the Devil. After doing so, God would not let him into Heaven, and the Devil could not let him into Hell. So, he was forced to roam the Earth with a lantern. You can read the full story here. Originally turnips were used, but as immigrants settled into America, pumpkins were adopted as they were more commonly found.
Galway: Macnas Celebration
If you get the chance to visit Galway, you MUST be in the city the weekend before Halloween. They have an amazing procession of Halloween figures. I sadly missed it this year, but hope to see it in the future!
Dublin Fires
Halloween originated in Boyne Valley, about an hour outside of Dublin. A dream Halloween trip would surely be to rent a car and drive around the areas surrounding Halloween during the first days of Samhain. The Celts celebrated All Hallows’ Eve by performing a set of fire rituals. Today, the locals still perform these Halloween events. Check out Tara’s calendar to see how they celebrate Samhain today.
Events Near Trim Castle:
(about an hour away from Dublin)
*October 31st (All Hallows’ Eve)= Fire to ward off spirits
*November 1st (All Hallows’ Day)=
*November 2nd (All Souls Day)=The Gathering of Spirits Festival
*More Information: see the Puca Festival website and Boyne Valley’s event calendar.
Want to Celebrate at Home?
Here’s how to have your own makeshift Irish bonfire celebration:
1. Make barmbrack bread to celebrate with friends. I wrote down the recipe and significance of each token here. If you want a sweet treat with a fortune-telling twist, try out the bread! It is quick and easy, and you most likely have the ingredients at home.
2. Dress up in your favorite costume! Typically the Celts would dress up as witches, animals, or beasts to ward off evil spirits, but dress up how you want!
Some say I have witch hands. Is it true???
3. Gather friends around a bonfire and share spooky stories!
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow*aka “The Headless Horseman”The Hag of BearaDearg Due the VampireThe Black Cat *(Edgar Allen Poe, or really anything written by him… No he was not Irish, but if anyone else’s name screams Halloween it’s him)4. Photoshoot in a forest.
Ireland’s spooky-esque trees:
PERFECT for Halloween photos.
Or a fancy car…
5. Listen to some traditional folk music, or host your own jam session!
I hope you have a fang-tastic and bootiful spooky season. I will leave you with a traditional song kids in Belfast sing as they go trick-or-treating. Perhaps it will bring you extra luck to get more candy, have your wedding predicted, and meet some new “out of this world” friends…