Halloween has always been a magical, mysterious and superstitious time. And with it come some lovely Irish traditions that I'd not heard of. Last week at the Erris Chamber Bingo they were giving out Bracks (fruit loaf!) and I natively asked what the bread was for. Through the chuckles I was told it's a Halloween tradition and there is a ring buried in the brack. In 18th century Ireland a matchmaking cook would bury a ring in the mashed potatoes hoping to bring turn love to the person who found it.
A customer told me that on Friday that the Irish never really made much of Halloween which surprised me a little as it has it roots in a Celtic Festival. To quote the The festival of Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Celebrated from sunset on the 31st to sunrise in the 1st traditionally it was a time when cattle were brought down from the summer pastures and animal killed for the winter.
It was a time when spirits and fairies and the festival was a bridge to the dead. Feasts were had and a place set for deceased family calling them to return. People would go from door to door in disguise reciting verse in exchange for food. They would light fires and use the disguises to ward off the roaming ghosts. Pope Gregory III designated Nov 1st as All Saints Day and the evening before became known as All Hallows' Eve.
I like Halloween - it's a great excuse to be a big kid again. There are lots of easy decorations and great costumes to do. And next week we will be getting into the spirit of things with our holiday club and haunted house party. With tricks and treats for adults and children we hope to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis West a great charity building a fantastic facility at Castlebar Hospital. We hope you will come along and join the fun. x
For those of you that want some Halloween Inspiration visit out Pinterest page http://www.pinterest.com/lunasacraft/halloween-autumn/
