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We’d like to tell you about Ireland being the first to celebrate Halloween and then we’ll tell you how to save money on an Irish Halloween Tour in Dublin.
Ireland is proud of being the birthplace of Halloween. Sambain celebrations have been a traditional part of Irish life for 2,000 years and are stronger today than ever.
Samhain was a harvest festival with feasting and celebration. It begins on the evening of October 31 and continues through November 1. Samhain started as a Gaelic and Celtic festival. It marks the end of the harvest season. It also marks the thinning of the veil between the worlds of the physical and the spirit world. The veil is believed by many to be at its thinnest then.
People lit bonfires and wore masks to trick or hide from spirits in the day when the veil was the thinnest.
Join a Dublin walking tour to uncover the origins of Halloween through some of Ireland’s oldest legends.
You’ll meet your professional guide at the Independent House under the Independent House Clock.
You’ll hear the stories about Stingy Jack and his interactions with the devil. He was a wandering spirit who was the first to put a glowing coal into a carved out turnip to use as a lantern. The Irish tradition of carving faces into turnips, beets and potatoes with candles inside was a way to ward off spirits. It eventually evolved into carving pumpkins in America known as Jack of the Lanterns or Jack-o’-Lanterns.
Your tour will take you to
- Dublin Castle
- General Post Office (GPO) Museum
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Ha’penny Bridge
- Temple Bar
and more.
Dublin is considered to be one of Europe’s most haunted cities. And that’s convenient because every Halloween tour needs ghosts. As you go along, your guide will tell you about the paranormal activity that has been reported at each site.
You’ll hear about the many spirits reported at Dublin Castle from its dark days as a prison and a site for executions. Your guide will tell you about grave robbings and murders.
Your tour will end with a traditional Irish Silent Supper of baked barnbrack and seasonal treats. Complete silence is maintained so the living can listen for the presence or message from their dearly departed. An extra chair, plate and cup are set at the table for a departed relative.
So see the city, learn about the beginnings of Halloween, hear about the darker side of Dublin and learn a lot about local history on a great tour!
Discount Code
If you’re looking for a way to save money, you’ve come to the right place! Book your ticket here and you can save $11 (16% discount) on an Irish Halloween Tour. The saving will be automatic and you won’t need to enter a discount code or a promo code.
Sources
Per Lonely Planet and Ireland.com