Oíche Samhain, Halloween, and Ireland's ghosts

Send us Fan MailOíche Samhain was celebrated on the eve of November 1st.  It is  also the Irish name for the month of November. The festival was a time when people believed the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was thin, and that spirits could cross between worlds more easily. It was a time to welcome in the harvest and welcome in “the dark half of the year.” For the Celts, the Samhain festival was the most significant of the four quarter Celebrations included: Lighting bonfires Dancing and singing Feasting Leaving treats out for fairies Children playing games to entertain the dead Adults updating the dead on the past year's news Leaving doors and windows open for the dead to come in Using particular foods for divination or soothsaying Support the showIrish Mythology - Mythical Cycle - Book of Invasions