Could Ireland become the Halloween capital of the world?

Could Ireland become the Halloween capital of the world?

Tourism Ireland wants to promote Ireland internationally as the ‘home of Halloween’, as the day has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.

Celts celebrated Samhain on November 1, the traditional start of winter, when families gathered together to enjoy feasts and games.

“It’s actually hard to pinpoint exactly what Samhain is,” said Halloween expert Dr. Sarah Cleary. stiff shoulders.

“So I think the fact that we’re now celebrating a 21st century approach to Samhain in a really collaborative way is great.”

Halloween bonfire in Crumlin, Dublin.Photo Mark Steadman/Photocall Ireland

Dr Cleary said Halloween is very “multicultural” in the 21st century, but noted that many of Halloween’s most iconic traditions can trace their roots back to Ireland and the Diaspora. did.

“A lot of Irish people immigrated around the mid-1800s,” she says.

“They brought these traditions to America, and over time those traditions transformed into Halloween as we know it today.

“So turnips turned into pumpkins, and trick-or-treating became door-to-door celebrating and ‘dressing up.’”

Children participating in a Halloween party.

Dr Cleary said he was “really excited” about Tourism Ireland’s strategy and believed there was a huge opportunity to boost the country’s tourism industry in October.

“Because really Ireland is a Halloween destination,” she said.

“I think it’s pretty remarkable for a tiny little island that our origins are rooted in not one, but two internationally recognized festivals: St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween.

“So we have a lot to celebrate.”

In 2019, Irish adults spent an estimated €49 million on Halloween celebrations.

Before the pandemic, the tourism industry contributed €13.5 billion to the Irish economy and supported around 284,800 full-time jobs.

File photo of Halloween house. Image: Alamy.com