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Halloween traces its roots to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival in Ireland marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. In this article, discover:
Your next chapter could begin in a castle, follow a winding coastal road or unfold through a train window. Learn more about exploring Ireland and Scotland with Brendan Vacations and find the travel style that lets you follow your curiosity.
Explore Ways to See IrelandHalloween may be associated with costumes, pumpkins and trick-or-treating in the United States, but many of the traditions behind the holiday have much older roots.
In Ireland, the story stretches back more than 2,000 years to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the transition from the harvest season to winter. Customs associated with Samhain evolved over centuries, mixing with other cultural and religious traditions. Irish emigrants later carried many of those customs to the United States, where they continued to change.
Today, travelers can explore that history in Ireland through festivals, traditional foods, folklore and places associated with Samhain. With insight from AAA Travel partner and Ireland specialist Brendan Vacations, we’re looking at where Halloween began, how its traditions evolved and where travelers can experience them today. From County Meath to Derry/Londonderry and Dublin, a late-October trip offers a chance to experience both the history behind Halloween and the way Ireland celebrates it today.
Samhain, pronounced SOW-in, was an ancient Celtic festival that marked the end of the harvest and beginning of winter.
“It marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the winter months,” said Emma Power, strategic accounts manager at Brendan Vacations. “It was all to do with the harvest, the community, the land and the livestock.”
Communities gathered around fires, shared food and told stories as they prepared for the colder months ahead. Samhain was also associated with the belief that the boundary between the living world and the otherworld grew thin at this time of year, allowing spirits, fairies known as the Aos Sí and the dead to move between the two.
Some customs reflected those beliefs. Bonfires were lit, food was left for spirits and disguises were worn to confuse or ward off other worldly visitors.
“Ireland’s Halloween story comes from different cultural, historical and religious layers over time,” Power said. “The folklore and the customs all contributed to how it evolved.”
As Christianity spread, All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2 became part of the calendar. The evening before All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows’ Eve and eventually Hallowe’en. Older customs continued alongside newer religious and cultural traditions, helping shape the holiday that developed over the centuries.
Several traditions now associated with Halloween have strong Irish connections.
Before pumpkins became the standard for jack-o’-lanterns in the United States, people in Ireland carved turnips. The practice became associated with the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a trickster condemned to wander with a glowing coal inside a carved turnip to light his way.
Guising was another tradition with similarities to modern Halloween customs. People dressed in costume and went from house to house, sometimes performing a song, poem or joke in exchange for food. Guising, along with other traditions, helped influence the development of modern trick-or-treating in disguises or costumes.
Many of these traditions crossed the Atlantic during the 19th century as Irish emigrants settled in the United States, particularly following the Great Famine. The customs continued to evolve there. Pumpkins eventually replaced turnips as the preferred lantern and Halloween developed into the celebration familiar to many Americans today.
“The Irish emigrated to the U.S., and the traditions evolved there and came back again,” Power said. “It’s full circle, basically, which is lovely because there is such a strong connection between Ireland and the U.S.”
Travelers can experience different parts of Halloween’s history through festivals and historic sites across Ireland. The best choice depends on whether you’re most interested in Samhain and folklore, a large Halloween celebration or Ireland’s literary connections to the supernatural.
Pair Halloween celebrations with coastal scenery, local flavors and a castle stay. Whether you prefer a guided journey, time behind the wheel or a personalized itinerary, a AAA Travel Agent can help you compare Brendan Vacations options based on how you like to travel.
Let your curiosity take the scenic route. From hawk walks and hidden walled gardens to delicious discoveries, explore Irish adventures that give you a few more stories to bring home.
Discover Ireland’s Unexpected Side
Halloween traditions in Ireland extend to the dinner table. Barmbrack, also known as Bairín Breac, is one of the best-known examples. The fruit bread traditionally contained hidden objects or charms with different meanings. “We still eat it without fail around Halloween,” Power said. “When I was a kid, we would put a ring into the mix, and whoever found the ring in their piece of cake was going to get married.”
Travelers visiting in October may find it in bakeries and markets, often served sliced with butter and tea. Colcannon, a dish of mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale, also has connections to traditional Halloween celebrations and fortune-telling customs.
Travelers do not have to stick to traditional dishes. Ireland’s contemporary food scene highlights local seafood, meat, dairy and seasonal produce, with Michelin-starred restaurants adding another dimension to the country’s culinary offerings. Restaurants such as Chapter One and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud showcase modern Irish cooking at the fine-dining level, while restaurants elsewhere in the country give travelers more opportunities to build memorable meals into an Ireland itinerary. Together, traditional Halloween foods and modern Irish cuisine offer another way to experience the country’s culture during an autumn visit.
Join Debbie Haas and Chris Wommer of AAA – The Auto Club Group on Well-Traveled with AAA as they share stories of warm pub welcomes, a royal reception at Ashford Castle and the thrill of falconry. Add Ireland’s dramatic coastlines, and you’ll have plenty of inspiration for your own Irish adventure.
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For Power, one of the advantages of traveling to Ireland in fall is what she calls “cozy season.”
“We refer to it as cozy season, which, for me, I’m all about,” she said. “I just love finding a pub with a turf fire, sitting by the fire and people-watching, or going to a hotel and sitting by the fire with a book, watching the rain fall outside.”
Fall weather can mean cooler temperatures, rain and mist, so travelers should arrive prepared. But those conditions can also complement an itinerary built around historic towns, castles, pubs and cultural experiences.
Power recalled walking through Killarney in misty weather as clouds moved across the mountains. “There is just something special about that type of weather in Ireland,” she said.
Building some flexibility into the itinerary can help travelers enjoy that slower side of the season rather than trying to fill every day with scheduled activities.
Start with the festival or Halloween experience that matters most to you and build the itinerary from there. Travelers interested in Samhain and folklore could focus on County Meath and combine the Púca Festival with Dublin and nearby historic sites. Those interested in a larger Halloween celebration could build a Northern Ireland itinerary around Derry/Londonderry. Travelers with more time can combine regions but should account for travel time between destinations.
AAA Travel partner Brendan Vacations offers exclusive AAA Member Benefits and several itineraries that can help travelers experience more of Ireland before or after the Halloween celebrations:
Travelers with Irish ancestry may also want to incorporate family history into the trip. Sharing details such as a county, town or family name may help shape an itinerary around places connected to a family’s roots. Power said drivers may be able to help travelers locate a family graveyard, visit a church or look for local records.
“It’s a lovely connection,” she said. “I love hearing the stories.”
Halloween can be the starting point for an Ireland vacation that also includes castles, historic sites, local food, family heritage and time to explore beyond the festivals. Whether you want to follow Ireland’s Halloween traditions, trace your family roots or simply see more of the country, a AAA Travel Agent can help turn your ideas into a memorable vacation. Your agent can compare Brendan Vacations itineraries and travel styles, coordinate the details and help you experience Ireland in a way that reflects what matters most to you.
Halloween has deep roots in Ireland and the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Samhain marked the end of the harvest and beginning of winter, and customs associated with the festival contributed to Halloween’s development over centuries alongside Christian observances and other cultural influences.
Samhain was an ancient Celtic festival associated with the transition from harvest season to winter. Communities gathered around fires, shared food and stories and observed traditions connected with spirits and the changing seasons. Samhain is pronounced SOW-in.
Popular Halloween experiences include the Púca Festival in County Meath, Derry/Londonderry Halloween and Dublin’s Bram Stoker Festival. Travelers can also explore historic places associated with Samhain and Irish folklore, including the Hill of Ward and Oweynagat.
Irish Halloween traditions include carving turnips into lanterns, guising, bonfires, fortune-telling games and eating barmbrack. Irish emigrants carried many customs to the United States, where they continued to evolve.
Barmbrack is one of Ireland’s best-known Halloween foods. The fruit bread traditionally contained hidden objects or charms believed to predict the finder’s future. Colcannon, made with mashed potatoes and cabbage or kale, also has connections to traditional Irish Halloween celebrations.
Plan to visit in late October if experiencing Ireland’s Halloween celebrations is a priority. Festival dates and programs vary from year to year, so check event schedules before booking and plan early for popular festival weekends.
Explore, discover, wander
From folklore and festivals to castles and family heritage, discover what an Ireland vacation could hold for you. A AAA Travel Agent can tailor an itinerary to your interests, travel style and pace.
