As the dark nights draw in take a trip to the otherworld...
The festival of Hallowe’en, or Samhain as it was originally known, dates back to ancient times in Ireland. Marking the beginning of the dark season it is especially associated with the dead and the otherworld of the Sí (the fairy people of Ireland), as the veil between their world and ours is at its thinnest.
This Samhain, join us on the evening of October 28, as the museum comes alive with the spirit of the otherworld as we explore stories, superstitions, eerie games and the rhythms of life that have existed in Ireland for thousands of years.
This scarier than usual, adult-only evening event features Banshees, Púca, Changelings, Headless Coachmen and many other frightening Irish characters from our rich mythology, and is not for the faint hearted!
16+ advised
Places are limited, so early booking is advised.
Tickets booked online are only €15, or €20 on the night.
Thursday 28 October 2010
Tour start times: 6.30pm, 7.00pm, 7.30pm, 9.00pm, 9.30pm
Each tour lasts approximately 1 hour, followed by Hallowe'en refreshments, games and stories.
What else is happening in the National Leprechaun Museum over the Hallowe'en / Samhain season?
Being arguably the most important festival in the Celtic Calendar, and a traditional Irish festival that has now been adopted the world over, we will be celebrating Samhain (or Hallowe'en as it is now known) for the weeks surrounding October 31 here at the museum.
Samhain was the festival that attracted most interest in Irish literature. Being the beginning of the dark season, it was especially associated with the dead and the otherworld. Many of the supernatural adventures of heroes in early stories are said to have taken place at this time. It was the time, for instance, when the Tuatha Dé Danann defeated their arch rivals, the Fomoir in the great mythological battle of Mag Tuiread. It was the time when the hero Cuchulain was visited by the two beautiful women of the Sí, Li Ban and Fand. And it was the time when the great annual feast at Tara was held, and when Fionn became leader of the Fianna.
In the weeks surrounding Samhain, our storytellers will be telling these and other stories from this time of year... And, if you're interested, we'll tell you how Samhain, a festival that is thousands of years old, became the Hallowe'en that we know today...
Also...
The Dublin Paranormal Convention will be held in the basement of the museum on November 5. For full details and to book your tickets, visit www.dublinparacon.com