Learn the history, geography, and archaeology behind the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and how it evolved into Halloween
Tag Archives: Halloween
A Treat for Horror Film Fans
Surely one of these Irish-made spine-tinglers will be the highlight of your Samhain movie night.
Druids, Death Deities, Samhain, and the Jack-o’-Lantern’s Irish Origins [End-of-Summer Update 2023]
Find out what Celtic concoctions have been a-bubblin’ of late in the IrishMyths cauldron. But readers beware—Samhain spirits are in the air.
Whom Do Banshees Visit? Visitation Rites of the Banshee [Video]
Whom do banshees visit? Which families do they haunt? Turns out Irish folklore severely limits which households banshees can hover over and howl by.
Physical and Sonic Characteristics of the Banshee [Video]
What do banshees look like? What do banshees sound like? While pop culture interpretations of the banshee typically paint her as a grotesque, shrieking she-demon, Irish folklore tells a much more nuanced story.
The Definition and Etymology of Banshee [Video]
You are likely already familiar with Ireland’s most infamous shrieking spirit. But what exactly is a banshee? Is it a ghost? A spirit? A wraith? A demon? A fairy? In a word, yes. The banshee is all of those things, and so much more.
The Top 10 Irish Horror Movies
A list of the top-rated Irish horror films as ranked by users of IMDb. Surely one of these Irish-made spine-tinglers will be the highlight of your Samhain movie night.
Why Do We Go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween?
The origins of trick-or-treating date back to Samhain, Halloween’s ancient Celtic progenitor. Learn how this costume- and candy-based ritual got its start.
Why Do We Give Out Candy on Halloween?
Yes, even Halloween candy has an ancient Celtic origin. Turns out, Samhain spirits are a bit snacky. Offerings must be made to keep evil at bay.
13 Celtic Myth-Inspired Halloween Costumes
Honor Halloween’s Celtic roots this spooky season by dressing up in a costume worthy of an Irish god…or monster. These Samhain costume ideas will hopefully help get your creative juices flowing.