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irish_insights

DO YOU KNOW THAT THE HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL ORIGINATED IN IRELAND?

by on ‎10-19-2012 01:33 AM

Halloween is a Celtic festival that has its origins in Ireland. From the Gaelic language, the festival was known as 'Samhan' – all Hallows – where the dead revisited the mortal world. The festival also marked the end of summer and the start of the hard winter months.


The Jack-o’-Lantern custom comes from Irish folklore. The tale is told of Jack, who was a notorious blacksmith. After his death, he was condemned to wander the earth for eternity. He asked the Devil for some light and was given a burning coal ember that he placed within a turnip that he had hollowed out.


Turnip


Turnip


So in Ireland the turnip was used to make the lantern. But when the Irish emigrated to America, they found that pumpkins were much more plentiful than turnips (AND easier to carve),so the Jack-o’-Lantern became a hollowed out pumpkin lit with an ember.


Turnip in Ireland, Pumpkin in America


Turnip in Ireland, Pumpkin in America


Happy Halloween!


And by the way, there will be an extra Irish show on Friday, November 9th from 4 – 6 AM ET. There will be lots of bargains, an most of our Irish friends will be in town for the event!!


-Stephen


 


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