Ok people of Barcelona, let’s get one thing straight; Halloween is originally from Ireland. I know that in the last century or so, the Unites States has been great at Halloween, and many locals here believe that it is “commercial” and “American”. But the history of Halloween in Ireland goes back way further than that, and we Irish like to celebrate it as such!
What is the Tradition of Halloween in Ireland?
According to Wiki, the Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of harvest and the start of the darker end of the year. The word Halloween comes from “E’en of all Hallo’s”, the evening before All Saints Day. That’s right folks, same holiday, different day. When I was growing up in Ireland, this time of year the countryside smells like bonfire as the farmers burn old crops. This is rooted in Irish folklore, where bonfires are supposed to scare away the bad spirits. Wearing scary costumes at Halloween is another reinforcement to chasing away these bad spirits, to ensure a healthy harvest. There are many more customs surrounding ancient Halloween traditions in Ireland. I’m looking forward to sharing our stories at my next Irish Cultural Dinner Pairing at Savour Academy!
More About the Irish Cultural Dinner Pairing
WHAT: We taste and learn our way through seasonal Irish cuisine, with a background on each dish and a local wine pairing. Check out the Halloween menu on Instagram.
WHEN: Friday 29th October, 20.30h until 23h (You’ll be home before the witching hour)
WHERE: Savour Academy, C/Farell 12 bajos, BCN 08014 (Nearest metro Pl.Espanya or Hostafrancs, many bus lines to Gran Via/Farell)
COST: 35€ Earlybird rate until 15th October (40€ after). The price includes a three-course dinner pairing, with live Irish trad music and Halloween readings. Fancy dress is preferred but optional.
BOOK: Spots are extremely limited, please pre-book to avoid disappointment.
