Travel Goals Podcast

Ireland: The Home of Halloween - Discover Ancient Fires, Folklore and Spooky Stories

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Episode notes

Did you know that Halloween’s true origins are rooted in the ancient Celtic traditions of Ireland? This isn’t just any Halloween story—this is a spooky audio journey into the heart of the Emerald Isle, where the festival we now know as Halloween began over 2,000 years ago. Join us for an immersive, spine-tingling adventure through Ireland’s mystical myths, haunting folklore, and fascinating Samhain traditions.  

In this special episode, we take you to County Meath, home to the Púca Festival, where history, fire, and feasting combine with the strange and mischievous spirits of the Celtic Otherworld. You’ll hear the crackle of ceremonial fires and feel the chill of ghost stories as we travel to Ireland’s Ancient East to uncover the secrets of Samhain, the festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year.

Get ready for an epic Halloween experience! We’ll introduce you to the Púca, the shape-shifting creature of Celtic lore, who embodies the chaos and mystery of this bewitching season. The Púca Festival is not just about folklore; it’s a celebration of music, myth, food, and fire set against the backdrop of Ireland’s most historic places, from the towering Trim Castle to the ancient Hill of Ward, where the original Samhain fires were lit centuries ago.

Recorded on location, we’ll take you behind the scenes of one of Ireland’s most brilliant and imaginative festivals. Along the way, we’ll share spooky stories, haunting legends, and our own chilling encounters as the veil between worlds thins. 

This is more than just a history lesson—it’s a journey into a world where the past and the present meet, where the eerie traditions of Halloween still resonate in Ireland’s wild landscapes.

Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or a lover of rich cultural traditions, this episode promises to transport you to a land steeped in mystery, ghostly legends, and ancient customs that will leave you captivated.

With thanks to Tourism Ireland and Irish Ferries for supporting this episode of the Travel Goals Podcast.

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nicknamed Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and Lonely Planet author. 

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