Ever wondered where Halloween originates from? Venture into an island in the north of Europe—while Dracula finds his home in Bran Castle in Romania, Ireland is home to the well-loved season of spooks every October.
The origins of Halloween lie in pagan Ireland in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced SAW-in). October 31 marked the beginning of winter, which was the season associated with death. It was believed that the 31st was when the barrier between the living and the dead became blurred.
Druids, or Celtic priests, commemorated Samhain by building large bonfires so that the people could offer sacrifices to the deities. This is also where the practice of wearing costumes came from! Celts would wear costumes, which were usually animal heads or skins, in order to ward off spirits. Even though Samhain was celebrated nearly 2000 years ago, the Irish still know how to throw a Halloween party.
Head over to Derry in Northern Ireland, where there’s a huge Halloween Carnival full of people wearing costumes. There’s also live music (and no one does music like the Irish!) and the city’s ancient walls contribute to the spooky atmosphere too. If Derry’s too far from the itinerary, Dublin holds a similar event, but with a parade. Near Dublin City, Malahide Castle holds ghost tours. Many medieval ghosts haunt the 800-year-old building whose deaths involve marriages, revenge, or war. When visiting crowded places such as these, make sure to bring your Jelli M1 mask to keep you safe and spooky.
Halloween in Ireland is definitely a game-changer for its festivities, and you should definitely consider traveling there for a while. You can even read up on its history and tales to share with your peers when you return from the trip. So, pack your bags, embrace the spooks, make unforgettable memories, and have a happy Halloween!
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