Across the pond, Halloween is a big thing for kids. I personally never grew out of it and neither did many others. The holiday has exploded into a pop culture phenomenon for all ages across the U.S.
Of course, our beloved holiday has its roots here in Ireland’s Samhain (SOW-in) — the more than 2,000 year-old Celtic festival. That’s why I feel incredibly privileged to be in Ireland to see the festivities for myself.
Walking the streets of Dublin, I’ve noticed Ireland’s decor looks remarkably similar to what I’d find back home. All the usual suspects are here: spiders, gravestones, ‘do not cross’ tape on doors. Shops have webbing and black cat cutouts in the windows, and their aisles are filled with witch hats, colorful make-up kits, toy skulls and the like.
It’s clear now, and all year round, how much Dublin loves its ancient festival! If you make your way to places like the Wild Duck or Mema’s, you’ll see them festooned in all things spooky, all year!
There are some differences to point out — one being the turnip versus the pumpkin. In the States its unheard of to carve anything but a pumpkin for Halloween. Here, I see a mix between pumpkins and turnips with the more traditional being the latter. Samhain also boasts some delicious foods such as colcannon and Barmbrack with trinkets inside that predict your future.
Halloween in the States is little more than dressing up and enjoying the night. Samhain, on the other hand, holds a deeper connection with the dead. In that way, it reminds me of Día de los Muertos (or the Day of the Dead).
Día de los Muertos, which came to the U.S. by way of Mexico, originates from an Aztec celebration. It was later heavily influenced by the Spanish conquistadors’ introduction of All Saints Day (which would give rise to All Hallows Eve and subsequently Hallowe’en).
Día de los Muertos is famous for its joyful, flower-filled remembrance of the departed. Samhain takes a more cautious and spooky approach to connecting with the dead.
Clearly the threads that connect all three holidays have proven influential enough to make these celebrations stick around all these thousands of years later and to be beloved all around the globe.
Author: Bridget Brunelli
Photo Location: The Wild Duck Dublin 2