According to Irish folklore, Halloween is referenced back to the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain. The old Irish Gaelic for ‘summer’s end,’ Samhain, marked the end of the harvest season and the start of the New Year.
In a live segment, Gabe Saglie of Travelzoo spoke to host Mellisa Paul from across the globe at Trim Castle to get a first-hand look at the haunting festivities in Derry, Ireland.
Did you know that festivals are part of the Irish experience, with great processions and food fests that embrace the Irish origins of this spooky holiday?
Trim Castle, near Dublin, was built on raised ground near the River Boyne, and it is perfect for getting us all in the holiday mood. The 1995 movie "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson was filmed there, with the building doubling as a number of Scottish and English castles. Saglie takes a look at some of the festivals and haunted places that make this time of year even more chilling and fun.
Also recommended is The Púca Festival held in the town of Athboy, a nearby hub of Halloween tradition.
Saglie is Travelzoo’s Senior Editor and is a leading expert on travel deals, tips, and trends. He also appears regularly on NBC and affiliate stations, CNN, and Fox News.
Planning on visiting Ireland and seeing these historic haunts in person?
Saglie offers these tips on his website:
- Travel mid-week to leisure spots to save money
- Travel weekends to financial hub cities for better hotel rates
- Join loyalty programs to earn upgrades and freebies
- Travel shoulder season (usually spring and fall) for smaller crowds and better prices
- The first flight of the day usually has the best on-time performance