Everyone is Busy With Halloween, but Don't Forget Samhain

Pumpkins, parties, witches and wizards; it's Halloween but in Ireland this weekend it is also Samhain. Samhain is the Irish-Celtic festival of remembrance for the dead, held on the eve of Nov. 1st. The festival does seem to have been gobbled up by Halloween but according to About.com's Guide to Ireland, Bernd Biege, an Irish Samhain is still very much in evidence.

Bernd tels us November 1st was traditionally known as samhain, literally translated the "end of summer" and pronounced something like sow-een. This was the end of the Celtic year, the start of winter, a time for reflection. And, apparently part of a sometimes confusing tradition. Samhain is also the Irish Gaelic name for November.

Food plays a large part in Samhain. It is the end of October and start of November so the the harvest is in and food is plentiful. However when Samhain became All Hallows, meat was not allowed so the food eaten was just about anything vegetarian. Irish recipes perfect for Samhain.

• Colcannon 
• Soda Bread
• Irish Cheeses
• Boxty
• Soul Cakes
• Bairin Breac