Snap-Apple Night," painted by Irish artist Daniel Maclise in 1833, captures the lively spirit of a Halloween party he attended in Blarney, Ireland, in 1832. 

Before Halloween became the spooky holiday we know today, Ireland celebrated Snap Apple Night as part of their harvest and Samhain (pronounced "sow-in") traditions. Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It was believed to be a time when the boundary between the world of the living and the dead was thin, allowing spirits to walk the earth.

Snap Apple Night was one of the many activities that took place during Samhain, and it’s as fun as it sounds! The game involved hanging apples from strings or placing them in water, and participants would try to bite the apples—without using their hands! The tradition was not just about fun, but also fortune-telling. It was believed that if you successfully grabbed an apple with your teeth, you’d have good luck in the coming year, or possibly even find out who your future spouse would be!

The Origins of Halloween in Ireland

The roots of Halloween can be traced back to Samhain, a major Celtic festival in ancient Ireland. For the Celts, Samhain was a significant turning point in the calendar, marking the transition between summer and winter. Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits, and people dressed in costumes to avoid being recognized by wandering souls.

As Christianity spread through Ireland, Samhain traditions were merged with the Christian holiday of All Hallows’ Eve, leading to the creation of what we now call Halloween. Many of the spooky customs we associate with Halloween, like carving pumpkins (originally turnips in Ireland!) and dressing up in costumes, have their roots in these ancient Irish celebrations.