The season of Samhain is upon us

Traditional Irish halloween Jack-o'-lantern
made with a turnip

Halloween costumes and decorations are popping up everywhere, and in our part of the world the leaves are changing and the dark is encroaching on the daylight.

Ireland may have been the birthplace of Halloween, or Samhain as the Celts called it. Oíche Shamhna (October 31) is Halloween and Lá na Marbh (November 1) is the Day of the Dead, or All Saints Day.

So, turn on all the lights and read more about the Celtic and Irish connection to our modern ghostly holiday here in this story from Irish Central by Michelle K. Smith, The Spookiest Ancient Irish Myths and Legends Surrounding Halloween.