TORONTO — Halloween is celebrated around the world, but Tourism Ireland is reminding Canadians where it all began, bringing a taste of the country’s ancient traditions and modern-day festivities to Toronto for its second annual Samhain Sessions.
Held last night at The Corleck, Toronto’s new Irish arts, heritage and cultural centre, the event was filled with Irish craic, with live music and an Irish-inspired menu prepared by Derry-born chef Kieran Deery. There was also an appearance by Toronto historian and author Adam Bunch.
For travel advisors, there’s another reason to pay attention: Ireland’s Halloween celebrations have become major tourism draws, with festivals attracting international visitors and a new Halloween-themed tour departure coming in 2027.
Sandra Moffatt, Director for Canada for Tourism Ireland, opened the evening with a “Céad míle fáilte” before taking guests back more than 2,000 years to the origins of Halloween.
The holiday traces its roots to Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the transition from harvest season into winter. The Celts believed that on Oct. 31, the veil between the living world and the spirit world was at its thinnest, allowing the dead to cross between them.
Tourism Ireland’s second annual Samhain Sessions event featured a talk with Toronto historian and author Adam Bunch
Many Halloween traditions began in Ireland, although some have changed considerably over the centuries. Take jack-o’-lanterns. Long before pumpkins appeared on North American porches, the Irish were carving turnips to frighten away unwanted spirits.
Moffatt has tried her hand at the old tradition, with less-than-ideal results. “I don’t recommend trying it because I tried to do it the old way a few years ago, and nearly chopped off my hands,” she said.
Costumes were another way to ward off spirits, while bonfires helped protect communities and their harvests as the darker winter months approached.
HALLOWEEN IS A WHOLE SEASON
In Ireland, Halloween isn’t confined to a single night. The country celebrates throughout October, with major festivals showcasing the folklore, storytelling and traditions that have made Halloween part of Ireland’s cultural identity.
Among the biggest is Derry Halloween, which marks its 40th anniversary this year.
Moffatt shared the story of how the festival began: a Halloween celebration at a local pub was interrupted by an evacuation, sending revellers into the streets. What started as an impromptu street celebration has since grown into one of Europe’s oldest and largest Halloween festivals, attracting approximately 120,000 international visitors.
Another major celebration is the Púca Festival, held in Ireland’s Ancient East, including Trim and locations in counties Meath and Westmeath.
Drawing on ancient Celtic folklore, the festival brings together storytelling, live music, circus performances and large-scale processions and parades.
Dublin, meanwhile, celebrates its own connection to the supernatural through the Bram Stoker Festival, honouring the Dublin-born author of Dracula.
For clients who can’t make it to Ireland in October, there’s still plenty of haunted history to explore.
Moffatt points to ghost tours offered throughout the year, along with Ireland’s many castles and historic sites, as opportunities to experience the country’s darker tales beyond Halloween.
Canadian travel advisors will soon have a new way to sell the season.
Royal Irish Tours, in attendance last night, is introducing its first Halloween departure of the Celtic Experience tour, scheduled for October 2027.
Tourism Ireland has more information about Halloween in Ireland at TourismIreland.com.
Lead image caption: Tourism Ireland’s Sandra Moffatt, Director for Canada and Lauren Lamonday, Business Partnership Marketing, are joined by event attendees including Jonathan Sergeant, Director of Sales, RIT (all photos courtesy Michelle Zimmer)
