Hello! I'm excited to be going to London and Dublin at the end of October and I'll be in Dublin on Halloween night (31st). Should I expect any celebrations or similar, or is this not really observed in Ireland?
Taking any other tips for a 3 day stop in Dublin as well! Cheers!
Halloween was invented in Ireland. It's an ancient Celtic holiday, which the pagans started and the Christians adopted. The idea of the Christian version was to mock the devil, whose big sin is pride. I don't believe centuries ago the Irish put on costumes; they're a modern twist on the idea of mocking the devil. Originally, the Irish put candles in turnips and other small fruit and vegetables, rather than pumpkins.
Though I have been to Dublin four times, I was never there on Halloween. And while the modern observance of the holiday owes more to the U.S. than Ireland, my guess is it would be a roaring good time to spend Halloween in dear old Dublin.
I recommend the following: 1. Definitely see the Irish Writers Museum and the separate James Joyce Museum, which is only a couple blocks away. 2. See a play at either the Gate or Abbey theaters; the Gate has better actors, but the Abbey has better plays. 3. Go on a pub crawl; I like the literary pub crawl. 4. See the Book of Kells at Trinity College. 5. Book a tour at the Dublin tourist office of the stunning Glendalough monastery, which is 30 miles south in the Wicklow hills. 6. Tour either the Jameson distillery or Guinness brewery, though not both. 7. Tour the Kilmainham Gaol. 8. See Christ Church and St. Patrick's cathedrals. 9. Go to the National Gallery. 10. Go the pubs!
Have a great time. Cheers.
Go to bramstokerfestival.com. It is his birthday and they have activities every year. Festival runs from October 28-31
Awesome thank you both, those are just the type of things we are looking to do. Not interested in spending loads of time at museums. Got plenty of "art" whilst in Italy, and that just isn't our favorite type of thing. All about architecture, music, history, and other interesting/unusual stuff!
One more thing: You mention you like interesting and unusual stuff. St. Valentine, the saint of lovers who inspired the Feb. 14 holiday, is interred at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin. How the saint, who had originally been buried in Rome, got to Dublin is an interesting story. You can view the saint's tomb.
Write a trip report when you return, the Bram Stoker Festival is on my list of things to do and want to know if it is worth the trip.
Greetings from Ireland, Halloween is massive here and there'll be loads of Halloween parties, activities and many people in costumes in the bars.
The best place in Ireland to celebrate halloween though is up North in Derry, tens of thousands on the streets, fireworks on the river, pageants and street bands, its undoubtedly the biggest and best halloween celebration... in the world!
le meas/with respect
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Dingle and Derry
Thanks Stephen! We only have 3 days so I don't see a trip to Northern Ireland but that sure does sound amazing. I'm sure we will come back again, this is just our first visit! We might day trip somewhere, but that hasn't been determined.
