Halloween: The Brainchild of Ireland
Did you know that Halloween began on the island of Ireland?
Halloween all started with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"), celebrated over 2,000 years ago. which marked the end of the harvest season and the coming of winter. As firelight cast flickering shadows over the countryside, imaginations took flight. The boundaries between worlds blurred and spirits walked among the living, ready to carry them off to the Underworld. 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.
The Celts fought back against that darkness with masks to hide their faces from the undead, bonfires to banish the gloom and lanterns carved from turnips to ward off malevolent forces. But Halloween was also a celebration when plentiful harvests were marked by feasting and games. People donned costumes and went from house to house entertaining their neighbors. They bobbed for apples and left out offerings of food to welcome the spirits of their ancestors.
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.
Why?
1. The amazing costumes
Remember, this is a carnival. And what do we do at carnivals? We get dressed up. From the classics (witch, vampire, etc) to the more nuanced (Mona Lisa including frame or Edward Scissorhands) if you’re not dressed up, you’ll be the only one.
2. Your heart will be racing!
FACT: the city is a gem and the locals are friendly to a fault BUT, the scares at Derry Halloween are intense. Get ready for a full-on fear factor with haunted houses, haunted walks and costumes so good, they’re scary.
3. See where it all began...
Did you know? Halloween is an ancient Irish festival. Originally celebrated as "Samhain" (meaning "end of summer"), our pagan ancestors considered 31 October to be the final day of the year, the night on which the dead would mingle with the living and return to their old homes.
Turn the chill up to 11 with a haunted historic tours and trails in the city, or walk Derry~Londonderry’s looming 400-year-old walls with the Awakening The Walls performances and installations for creepy company.
4. Feed your fear
You may have the stuffing scared out of you at Derry Halloween, but you definitely won’t go hungry. Enjoy a hearty meal in a 19th century boathouse in the Quaywest Wine Bar & Restaurant, and some of the best curries on the island from Saffron. For a spot of comfort food, head for The Exchange and try the marinated chilli chicken and ribs. Over at the Browns in Town restaurant, the risotto is so good it’s scary, while special mention goes to the house smoked pork belly at the Walled City Brewery.
Peader O'Donnell's Bar | Tourism Ireland
5. Experience an electric atmosphere
It’s no surprise that the biggest event in the city’s calendar brings with it an electric atmosphere. Sample the best of it at the likes of Granny Annie’s (for live music), Sandinos (for dancing and a funky interior) and the aforementioned Walled City Brewery.
If it’s a traditional pub you’re after, make for Peadar O’Donnell’s, home to three different bars (including the Gweedore Bar and Gweedore upstairs). The home of trad music in the city, O’Donnell’s boasts an epic whiskey collection and the interiors hit the vintage mark beautifully.
6. You're surrounded by beautiful locations
Pre or post-carnival, you’ve chosen a stunning location to visit. Derry~Londonderry is where the Wild Atlantic Way meets the Causeway Coastal Route. To the west is the Inishowen Peninsula, a collection of coastal cliffs, beaches and stunning seafood and the start of the Wild Atlantic Way.
To the east is the Causeway Coastal Route, a resplendent slow-drive journey taking in a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Giant’s Causeway), the oldest distillery on the island (Bushmills) and a remarkable cliff walk (The Gobbins).
Push a little further west, via Belfast and its Titanic experience, and you’re in Game of Thrones® Territory, with the Kingsroad, Winterfell, the Iron Islands and more on the touring menu.
To plan your Halloween adventure in Ireland, learn more at Tourism Ireland.
Credit: Tourism Ireland
