Halloween, Samhain, Spooky Season Part 1

Hello my adventurous friend,

I have been very quiet on here. As I logged back on I could almost hear crickets! Or imagining spider webs everywhere, it is Halloween season after all. 🕷🕸

Today, in lieu of the season, I have spooky recommendations coming, or maybe crawling and sneering, your way. Locally and from overseas (they’re very determined!). It will be great to plan your next spooky season, as I am a little (more like a lottle!) late for this one.

Also, I've decided to break it into two parts as the post was getting too long. In Part 2, you will find more U.S. haunted locations to visit. 👻🎃

Cute-spooky wee pumpkins I saw on my walk

But I have to address something first, it’s been two months since I last posted. And I miss it! I miss writing about my travels and sharing with you my stories, experiences, and anything travel related, as my wish is nothing but to inspire you to travel and give you information, or, at least let you live vicariously through my posts...until you do go on that trip you've been dreaming about!

The only reason I've been absent for so long are my two jobs. One that is near and dear to me - I’m a travel advisor with AAA. And my second one as an executive assistant - what a great experience. One in the office and one remote. It can get a bit challenging trying to balance work and “free” time. As life gets in the way, you also want sleep, stay active, and cook some food. Ah, but let me not bore you with life talk. We are here to talk about travel and macabre after all!

Where does Halloween come from?

As some of our holidays that we celebrate today crossed over from the pagan days, so did Halloween. While there are a few of original celebrations that Halloween might be based on, I will talk about Samhain, that actually might be the origin of the Halloween that we know and enjoy today.

Samhain (pronounced sow-in or saw-in) originated in Ireland. It's a Celtic celebration of the end of summer, the harvest, and the beginning of winter (no surprise there). It is also when Celts welcomed in the New Year. Not what we consider the end/beginning of the year these days!

He's on his way

As we see in many cultures, it is also was thought that during this exact time, between our modern calendar dates of October 31 and November 1, is when the separation between our world and that of the spirits and magical folks (fairies, for example) was the thinnest, or crossed over into each other. This way, souls of the dead, orcs, fairies, you name it, could freely come into our world to cause mischief and, in some cases, steal babies, if you know some of Celtic fairy folklore.

✩ Fun fact: the modern calendar, aka Gregorian calendar, was created and adapted in 1582 AD. Which is more astronomically correct than previously used Julian calendar. 🗓

In order to appease the gods, festivals were held bringing thanks for the harvest and to ask for the next year’s abundance. Large feasts were held for the living and to honor the dead, to let them know that they are remembered and respected. While offerings were left for the magical folk to keep them satisfies and at bay. Today we see it as giving out candy to the little witches and skeletons.

"Dressing up" or altering one's appearance with face paint, masks, and so on was used for disguise, as a way of protecting one self, blending in with the spirits and other supernatural beings. Another way to keep them at bay was to burn large bonfires. This is why, to this day, if you go to Ireland and Scotland during the celebration of Samhain you will always see a lot of fire...that seems to be everywhere.

But what about the famous carved pumpkins? As you might already know, pumpkins are a strictly American choice of vegetable for carving. In Europe it was turnips (which look much more frightening than pumpkins) 🎃. And the reason was the same as disguising one self - for protection and in order to trick the magic folk to think that you are one of their own, or that they are in their own realm.

As promised, here is a list of places best to visit for Halloween. Each place and tour suggestion is embedded with a link directly connecting you to the place, so you don't have to spend time searching!

Note: This post does contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book or buy something through them - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog! It helps keep it running.

1 - Oxford, England

There are many haunted places in the UK, don’t get me wrong, but Oxford and Oxfordshire is a great place to visit. It's historic, beautiful, and spooky at the same time. Dating back to the 8th century and housing the oldest English speaking university, the city is no stranger to ghosts, witches, and murders, including students, of course.

Oxford is great to explore for history, and if you’re a fan - Harry Potter tours, as many scenes were shot at various parts of Oxford University, and, again, ghost tours and stories. Oh, and if you’ve read and watched “A Discovery of Witches”, as well. I know I have and enjoyed it.

🕸 Things to do and see:

✩ Bill Spectre Oxford Ghost Trail, The Oxford Ghost Tour , Footprints Tours, Oxford Magical Walking Tours.

✩ Visit the Bodleian Library - which is also known as the University library and the main library of the Bodleian Libraries. As most old libraries are known to have mystical and eerie atmosphere, this one is no exception. Originally built in 13th century, and falling apart by the end of the 1600s, as most of the texts it held were burned by the Dean of Christ Church in hopes to get rid of anything related to Catholicism, it was brought back to life and its glory in the early 17th century by the man who said to haunt the library corridors and rooms to this day, Sir Thomas Bodley. As he watches over 13 million of treasured books and texts making sure nothing happens to them.

Many have said to have witnessed unexplained flickering lights, feeling random drafts, and hearing whispers in empty corridors. You might recognize Bodleian library from TV-shows and movies, such as “A Discovery of Witches” and a few of the Harry Potter films. In fact, you can take a tour, such as this one or choose from a variety of tours here to immerse yourself and discover more. 

✩ Visit the Blenheim Palace - the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchil in 1874, and a long time home to Dukes of Marlborough. You might recognize this beautiful English Baroque palace from the movies such as Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix [yes, lots of HP locations in this post for no specific reason, it just happened], BFG, James Bond: Spectre, and more. And TV-shows Bridgerton (Season 3), Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and The Diplomat.

As for the hauntings, you must know that there have been a few sightings of paranormal activity...well...a lot. And the current Duke of Marlborough has said to let in a few ghost hunters to investigate. The most notable sighting is in Dean Jones Room aka the birthroom of Sir Winston Churchil. This room is known for many sightings of a man reading a book, said to be a bible. He is known to be a kindly ghost as he usually acknowledges the visitor and disappears. One can only imagine how many time young Churchil must have seen him. However, there are stories of a not so kind poltergeist roaming the halls and throwing objects.

Blenheim Palace does hold an annual spooky but fun Halloween event, tickets can be purchased through their website. You can expect everything from murderous dungeons to demon lairs, there is something spooky and fun for everyone. Or you can enjoy a Halloween Afternoon Tea with wicked treats.

2 - Ireland

Newgrange. Photo by Griffin Quinn

Of course I have to mention the land of Samhain. Instead of choosing just one place I decided to mention the whole island including both The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as there is no shortage of spooky places on the green isle from most recent to ones that are thousands of years old.

From haunted castles, cemeteries, churches, pubs, and even hedges, there is always something paranormal going on here. Though most visit Ireland for history and their ancestry, you are always sure to hear a ghost story or two no matter the season or the reason. And if you want to experience the full specter of Samhain do come towards the end of October. Here you can find the list of all the festivals happening around this time in Ireland.

🕸 Things to do and see:

✩ Tours in Dublin: Dark Walking Tour of Haunted Dublin, Ghostbus Tour, Horror Hike to Hell Fire Club, The North Quay Ghost Tour, DarkLand Tour at National Leprechaun Museum

✩ Tours in Kilkenny: Kilkenny Dark Tour, Kilkenny Ghost Tours

✩ Tours in Galway: Dark History Guided City Walking Tour

✩ Tours in Belfast: Crumlin Road Gaol, Supernatural Ghost Tour

✩ Tours in Cork: Spike Island After Dark, Cork Ghost Tour

✩ Visit the Leap Castle - located near Roscrea, and is known to be the most haunted castle in Ireland with over 50 known ghosts.

The sight on which the castle stands today is said to have been inhabitant back in Neolithic times, and not just any sight, it is said to stand right on the ley lines - think druidic rituals, sacrifices, and more. While the castle we see today is said to have been built over another castle in the 16th century by the O'Bannon clan. It became one of the bloodiest and violent places for a few hundred years with the takeover of O'Carroll clan and then the Darbys. It eventually fell into ruin after the burning of the 1922, until 1991, when it was bought - or rather all that was left of it, which was mostly the castle shell - and restorations has began. New floors, ceilings, windows, doors...you name it, were installed, but much of its medieval parts are still there. And you are welcome to visit the castle today...if you dare.

Window at Leap Castle. Photo by Tommy Bond

How did the castle get its name? Well, the less macabre story is that it probably got its name metaphorically, due to its strategic placement and prowess. But there is a legend of the two O'Bannon brothers that were both considered to lead the clan. The best way, apparently, to break "the tie" was to see who would survive jumping off the rocky outcrop. The surviving brother was crowned chieftain. Though, soon after it was take over by the Carrolls, who were known to be ruthless and violent.

There is no shortage of paranormal activity in the Leap Castle from the Red Lady to the Bloody Priest. Even with having completely rebuilt floors and ceilings there is no shortage or ghost sightings and paranormal activities - slamming doors, whispers, children's laughing. This might not be too surprising when you know that at one point a dungeon was discovered with over 150 skeletons, some of them as recent as from 1850s! The only reason we know the date is due to inscribed watch being found with the remains. But that's not all...visit Leap Castle to hear all about the spirits that inhabit it.

Keep in mind, the castle is privately owner, so there are no tours. The link above has the information to contact Sean Ryan and his wife, the current owners, to schedule a tour. They're very welcoming and knowledgeable about the history and the ghosts that inhabit it.

✩ Visit Newgrange aka An Brug - located in Brú na Bóinne, this UNESCO world heritage site is a well preserved one of forty passage tombs dating back to Neolithic times (circa 3200 BC). Even though said to be a tomb, much of the evidence shows that it was more of a temple that was used throughout prehistoric times, for spiritual, druidic, astrological, burial, and ceremonial events and rituals of grand importance.

In Celtic mythology, Brú na Bóinne was said to be inhabited by a supernatural race called Tuatha Dé Danann and Newgrange was home to their king and leader.

Every winter solstice, when the sun rises, for about 15-17 minutes, it enters through a roof-box and lights up the long, 63 feet/18-19 meters long, passageway and the chamber inside. How could people back then have built astronomically correct wanderous structures like this? Mind, this is before Stonehenge, Pyramids in Caral-Supe in Peru, and the Pyramids in Egypt. We can only wonder...

You can visit this mystical place and enter inside on a guided tour. As well as visit two other tombs along the way - Knowth and Dowth. See the prehistoric carvings, hear the discoveries of many excavations and historic accounts.

Happy spooky travels!