Halloween originally started in Ireland as the Celtic festival of “Samhain” around a thousand years ago, which is why so many of Halloween traditions are Irish.
Halloween was originally a festival called “Samhain,” meaning “end of summer.” It was a harvest festival around the time the crops were picked. The Celts believed that on the eve of Halloween the spirits of the dead would come to visit their towns. They made big fires (bonfires) to keep evil spirits away and dressed in costumes to hide from the spirits.
Jack-o-lantern were made from turnips not pumpkins. When Irish and Scottish people emigrated to America, they adapted the tradition and used pumpkins instead as it is more difficult to find turnips.
The local people met at the bonfire and many would be dressed up in animal skins and heads.
Barmbrack feom the Irish name “Bairín Breac,” is a traditional Irish Halloween cake which is a sweet bread with fruit in it. Barmbracks usually have a surprise baked inside:
A coin – you will be rich this year.
A ring – you will find your true love and get married this year.
Bobbing for apples is a popular game for kids on Halloween. Some apples are put into a basin of water and the children have to go in headfirst and try to pick up the apples with their teeth. The person who picks up the most apples is the winner.
