Samhain - the traditions of Halloween at National Museum of Ireland - Country Life

Ghost turnips, púcas, fortune-telling and evil abductions...how our ancestors inspired our Hallowe'en celebrations today.

Did you know that many of the Hallowe’en celebrations we enjoy today owe their origins to the ancient festival of Samhain celebrated by our Celtic ancestors?
Hallowe’en is the eve of Samhain, which falls on November 1 and was one of four important seasonal markers (Quarter Days) for our ancestors.

It signalled the onset of winter and like most Irish festivals, the main festivities took place on the night beforehand, in this case 31 October.

Clodagh Doyle, Keeper of the National Folklife Collection, explains the traditions which surround Halloween and their origins in Ireland
Learn more here-
https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/News/2023...

Learn about other Religion and Calendar Customs associated with Ireland-
https://www.museum.ie/en-ie/collectio...

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