Tomorrow is Halloween or Samhain (Sow-in) as it is called in Irish. It is one of the most important festivals of the ancient Celtic calendar.
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Why I Love Halloween
I must confess, I love Halloween. I have loved it since I was a little girl in Dublin. It comes a close second to Christmas, as one of my favorite days of the year.
Excitement is rising in our home. My four little ones can't wait to don their costumes to run from house to house on their annual candy quest.
Halloween - The Irish Connection
As you get all dressed up in your costume this year, or light up your carved out pumpkin, remember that together we celebrate a holiday that is truly Irish and American. Read more about the ever-evolving Irish-American tradition of Halloween in this post from a few years ago.
In ancient Ireland Oíche Shamhna or Halloween night was a celebration of the final harvest of the year. An additional place was set at dinner to invite dead ancestors to the table. It was believed boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead were thinnest on this night. Spirits were free to move between worlds and rejoin the living.
Irish Halloween Foods
Now if you're wondering what should be on the menu for your ghostly guests, traditional Irish Halloween foods are colcannon and barm brack or tea brack.
My carrot and coriander soup may not be traditional Halloween fare, but its orange color makes it perfect fuel for little witches and vampires before they head off on a long candy trek.
Why I Love Halloween In America
Halloween may have started in Ireland, but Americans truly know how to celebrate in style.
When I first crossed the Atlantic many moons ago, it was such a relief to discover Halloween is celebrated on an even bigger scale in America than in Ireland.
Check out this post to find my top ten reasons for loving Halloween – American Style.
Irish Faerie Folk
Wonderful insights into the faerie folk of Irish myths and legends are available on the Got Ireland website.
Many of Ireland's infamous, magical, spooky characters of yore are explored in a series of supernatural posts, just perfect for Halloween.
Happy Halloween To All
Now that the time has come to find those scary costumes, and trick or treat to the orange glow of Jack-O'-Lanterns, I wish you all a very happy and safe Halloween!
Here are some other posts to help you celebrate Halloween this year.
Spider Deviled Eggs For Halloween
Homemade Chocolate Pretzel Spider Webs For Halloween
Spiorad na Samhna - A Documentary Film About Halloween in Derry City.
Halloween Counting Sheets For Spooky Learning Fun
Green Monster Face Cookies For Halloween
I hope you enjoy a holiday full of spooktacular fun.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Here are some more Halloween posts you might enjoy:
Halloween Recipes
- Easy Bat Donut Holes Recipe For Kids
- Stacked Sugar Witch Cookies With Video Tutorial For Halloween
- How To Make Easy Delicious Pumpkin Brownies
- Halloween Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes
Irish Soups And Stews
- Homemade Vegan Vegetable Stock Cubes
- How To Make Irish Style Cream of Celery Soup
- Beef and Ale Stew
- How To Make The Best Irish Vegetable Soup
Cheryl Barker
Hope your kids have lots of fun and bring home enough candy for momma to have some, too 🙂 And Mairead, thanks for praying for our family during our time of loss. Means so much to me.
Irish American Mom
Cheryl - There's always too much candy for Momma. I really must set limits for myself tonight.
I've been praying for your family over the past few days and weeks. So sorry for your great loss. A loved ones passing is never easy.
With sympathy and prayers,
Mairéad
Aimee
I love telling people about the Irish connection in regards to Halloween- it's amazing to me how many people don't know about it! Hope you guys have a great night! Our night or trick or treating has been post-poned until tomorrow night, but a good storm is worth the trade I think!
Irish American Mom
Oíche Shamhna shona duit, Aimee - Happy Halloween. I hope you have a lovely time trick or treating tomorrow night. This year's Kentucky storm has delayed festivities in many places including our Louisville neighborhood. It's so much better to wait than to have wet, miserable trick or treaters trekking though the puddles.
All the best,
Mairéad