Halloween Began in Ireland: Where to Celebrate Samhain
New York – October 21, 2026 -- Ireland is inviting travelers to spend Halloween in the place it started, with festivals running from late October into November across the island.
The season traces back more than 2,000 years to Samhain, the Celtic festival that marked the shift from summer to winter and shaped the Halloween traditions celebrated worldwide today.
Two main festivals anchor the season
Púca Festival in Meath and Derry Halloween in Northern Ireland form the core of Ireland's Halloween celebrations.
Galway and Dublin add parades and Gothic history
In Galway, the Macnas Halloween Parade features giant mythical figures, visual effects and live performance. In Dublin, the City Bram Stoker Festival celebrates Dracula and his Dublin-born creator. It is one of the city's biggest arts festivals and explores its Gothic history and heritage.