Amy Volstromer
Did you know that Halloween originated in Ireland as the Celtic festival of Samhain, which is why so many Halloween traditions—regardless of where you are in the world—are Irish!
Over 2,000 years ago was a time when the ancient festival of Samhain was celebrated in Ireland to mark the beginning of winter. It’s said that at Halloween the veil between our world and the Otherworld is at its thinnest, allowing spirits and demons to easily pass between the two.
One of our many Halloween traditions, carving pumpkins, is a tradition that has been adopted from Ireland. Traditionally, turnips are harvested over the autumn period right up to Halloween. Faces would be carved into these turnips and left outside homes to scare any nasty spirits. Over the years pumpkins have become much more popular due to their size and color.
If you are interested in learning more about Irish culture or becoming a member of the Irish American Club, checkout our website at pcirishaz.org. The PebbleCreek Irish American Club is operated exclusively for social, educational, and charitable purposes. Our club prides itself on its three pillars: Social, Charity, and Culture.
From the Irish American Club, Oíche Shamhna shona duit, Happy Halloween!