'Back to the roots' of Halloween

Carolyn Cairns says "when you go back to the roots of anything you get the authentic"

With eye-catching costumes, bobbing for apples and sweet treats, Halloween is one of the world's biggest holidays and has been celebrated in Ireland in one form or another for more than 2,000 years.

Its most popular and unusual traditions have roots in the ancient Celtic fire festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter.

In more recent times, Halloween has become a global phenomenon worth billions – and bringing in some distinctly non-Celtic aspects, such as pumpkins.

The elaborate decoration of houses has also become more common, often for charitable purposes.

St Joseph's Primary School in Crossgar has a fancy-dress parade and disco every year

Despite its pre-Christian origins, the festival and many of its aspects were adapted rather than eradicated following the arrival of St Patrick in 433AD.

Most notably, the belief that Samhain marks the boundary between the living and the dead is now marked in Christian belief with All Saints Day (1 November) and All Souls Day (2 November).

And whilst the biggest events can now attract in excess of 100,000 visitors, most celebrations remain small, local and heavily influenced by tradition.

'Fairies can be out and about'

The Navan Centre outside Armagh knows a thing or two about the customs of years gone by.

This year it is staging a special living history event marking Samhain.

Among those involved is Carolyn Cairns.

"I am the 'bean draoí' or druid," she says.

Carolyn says that although Halloween has changed over the years, its core remains the same.

"When you go back to the roots of anything you get the authentic. To us, everything good begins in the dark.

"If you think of the seed in the ground, the babe in the womb, they all start off in the dark. But fire is very important because this is how we survive.

"At this time of year the fairies can be out and about so you would leave a treat for them so they don't play a trick on you. Always to the west of your dwelling. A little bit of milk and a little bit of honey."

'Wearing a mask at Samhain'

Carolyn Cairns is dressed up as the bean draoí (druid) and Alan Sneddon is playing Sencha (the master bard)

Alan Sneddon is playing Sencha, the master bard.

He says Samhain was rooted in the realities of life at the time with war, disease and malnutrition impacting life expectancy.

At the Armagh event he'll be telling some of the stories that best describe the festival and the time it began.

"Samhain is a time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest and the fairy folk may enter at that time of year," he said.

"That is why our children must wear masks. I'm sure you've heard of that custom of wearing a mask at Samhain? This is a way to protect our children otherwise they may be replaced."

On the night, Alan will be telling stories and playing a harp.

'Trick or treating'

Ella Rose says "I love being at the parade and showing everyone our costumes"

Sweet treats, darkness and light, a little scare and the threat of naughtiness remain at the heart of Halloween celebrations. But how close to the real thing are they?

At St Joseph's Primary School in Crossgar the playground is filled with ghosts, ghouls, gangsters and even the odd gruesome golfer.

Every year the school holds a fancy-dress parade and disco just before the half-term break.

For the children here, Halloween is a big deal with some notable must haves.

Ella Rose is dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West. She said: "I love being at the parade and showing everyone our costumes. I'm going trick or treating with my family and I'll hopefully get some sweets."

A house in Saintfield decorated for Halloween

Evie, who is dressed as Chucky from the Child's Play movies, agrees.

"I like trick or treating and getting sweets the most. We go down to the park and there is a bonfire and we go on a spooky walk," she said.

Cabhan has just taken off the mask of the villain from the Scream movies. He'll also be going trick or treating – but he's also got one eye on a classic game.

"We have to bite apples out of the water," he said.

After the children leave the playground they go into the hall for a disco packed with Halloween hits.

The packaging around the holiday may have changed, but the mood music remains the same.