Oíche Shamhna is the Irish term for Halloween and literally translates to 'the night of Samhain'. It refers to the night of October 31st, marking the eve of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was traditionally celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, and other Celtic regions.
Samhain was a significant festival for the Celts, as it marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the 'darker half' of the year. It was believed that during Oíche Shamhna, the veil between the living world and the spirit world was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass between them. To protect themselves from these spirits, people would light bonfires and wear costumes or disguises to blend in with or ward off wandering ghosts.
Modern Halloween traditions such as trick-or-treating, costumes, and jack-o'-lanterns can trace their roots to these ancient Samhain practices, and Oíche Shamhna remains a term used in the Irish language to describe the celebrations associated with Halloween today.
Oíche Shamhna Shona Duit - Happy Halloween!
Bain taitneamh as Oíche Shamhna - Enjoy Halloween!
