Long before Halloween became a night of costumes, carved pumpkins and ‘trick or treat’, its origins lay in the ancient traditions of the Gaelic world, dating back more than 2,000 years.

Behind the modern celebration we know today lies the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, meaning “summer’s end”.

Celebrated across Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, Samhain marked a pivotal moment in the Gaelic calendar, as communities gathered around bonfires and feasts to mark the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, as the days grew shorter and the nights grew darker.

However, the festival was more than a seasonal marker. It was also believed to be a time when the veil between the living and the supernatural world was at its thinnest, allowing spirits and otherworldly beings to roam more freely. This belief gave rise to rituals and customs intended to protect communities from supernatural forces, many of which have echoes in the Halloween traditions still celebrated across the world.

placeholder image — Samhain at Navan Centre & Fort

Today, Ireland is widely recognised as the birthplace of Halloween, with growing international interest in the ancient traditions that inspired the modern celebration. At the heart of Northern Ireland’s Celtic heritage, Navan Centre and Fort, located in Armagh is one of Ireland’s most important archaeological and prehistoric ceremonial sites. Home to Emain Macha, the ancient royal capital of Ulster, and steeped in mythology and legend, it offers a unique insight into the ancient Gaelic world in which traditions such as Samhain have endured for more than 2,000 years. Rosaleen Litter, Visitor Services Officer at Navan Centre and Fort explored how Samhain helped shape the origins of the Halloween we know today.

She said: “For the Celts, the supernatural was not simply something to tell stories about. There was a genuine belief that ghosts, demons and fairies roamed the earth during Samhain and lived in fear of being abducted or harmed by these supernatural beings. To protect themselves, they wore masks made from animal skins, believing the disguises would fool the spirits into leaving them alone. Over time, this tradition evolved into ‘guising’ in the Middle Ages, when people dressed in costume and went door-to-door performing in exchange for food and drink- laying the foundations for the trick-or-treating we know today.

“Another tradition with roots closer to home is the carving of lanterns. Before pumpkins became associated with Halloween, people carved frightening faces into turnips or potatoes, placing candles inside to ward off evil spirits, acting as a protective talisman. When Irish and Scottish immigrants brought these traditions to North America in the 19th century, pumpkins offered a larger and easier-to-carve alternative, giving rise to the Jack-o’-lanterns that have become synonymous with Halloween. The flames of the Samhain bonfires served a similar protective purpose. While their spiritual significance has faded over time, communities continue to gather around bonfires each year.

“From disguises and carved lanterns to bonfires and door-to-door celebrations, the traditions of Samhain have endured, adapted and evolved across centuries. What began as an ancient Gaelic festival has left its mark on one of the world’s most recognisable celebrations - Halloween.”

Rosaleen Litter, visitor services officer at Navan Centre and Fort

Today, Navan Centre & Fort continues its connection to the Island’s past, bringing the stories and traditions associated with Samhain to life for modern audiences. Each Halloween, the ancient ceremonial site brings the festival’s traditions to life through immersive historical re-enactments, featuring the traditional fire ceremony, storytelling of ancient tales and appearances from otherworldly beings such as Druids and the Morrigan. The experience offers visitors a glimpse into the rituals, stories and origins of Halloween.

Joanne McElmeel from Navan Centre & Fort said: “Halloween has become a worldwide phenomenon, but many of us may not know the true origins of the celebration. Understanding where Halloween comes from, and the traditions that shaped it, gives us a fascinating insight into the beliefs and customs of the people who celebrated Samhain more than 2,000 years ago.

“While Halloween has changed dramatically over the centuries, many of the traditions we recognise today have echoes in these ancient celebrations. Looking back at the origins of Halloween allows us to understand not only how the festival has evolved, but also why so many of its customs have endured and continue to capture our imagination today”

Visitor to Armagh can experience the origins of Halloween this October at Navan Centre & Fort, with tickets for Samhain: The Beginning available now. For more information visit visitarmagh.com/halloween.