Halloween’s Irish Origin
Having just returned from Ireland, I observed the country starting to dress in its Halloween finery; traditions, symbols and customs are enjoyed throughout the Emerald Isle. I decided to look further into the connection and found our modern Halloween is an Irish holiday with early origins in this Celtic winter festival.
Early American history demonstrates that Halloween was not celebrated because of America’s strong Christian heritage, and first evidence is not widely found until the 20th century. Initially, it was practiced only in small Irish Catholic settlements. When thousands of Irish migrated here during the great potato famine, they brought their customs with them. Interestingly, in American culture, the rise in popularity of Halloween also coincides roughly with the national rise in spiritism that began in 1848.
As millions of children and adults participate in the festivities of Halloween, few will be aware of its ancient Celtic roots in the Samhain festival nearly 2,000 years old. In Celtic Ireland this was the separation of the year straddling between light and dark. Food was prepared for the living and the dead; bones of slaughtered animals were part of communal bonfires.
Christianity incorporated the honouring of the dead into the Christian calendar with All Saints (All Hallows) on November 1st, followed by All Souls on November 2nd. The wearing of costumes and masks to ward off harmful spirits survived as Halloween customs. Other traditions have blended the holidays together incorporating the harvest and pumpkins.
Tomas Kreml, the mixologist behind the cocktail, is creating his spooke-tacular drink above.
Ingredients for the Eyeball Cocktail:
1 shot of vodka
1/2 shot of Midori melon liqueur
1/2 shot of Blue Curacao
Freshly squeezed orange juice, lime juice and sugar syrup
Topped up with Sprite
leeches + cherries for the eyeball
Happy Halloween + Cheers!
Wow!! how cool is that. I’m sad I didn’t see this post earlier, I was looking for some crazy cocktails to make over Halloween. I ended up going for a spiked apple cider, this definitely looks WAY more fun!
You’ll just have to tuck it away for next year Madi-I think its a Halloween classic.
It’s interesting to find out more about it’s Irish origins. My husband is Irish and his family and friends always comment how looney we are in America for our love of Halloween! I will have to send this their way 🙂
Let me know what they say. I was surprised when I learned the details.
Halloween cocktail. I’ll have to remember that for next year. Should go down a treat at the Party. Thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂
I’ll make sure to send it around with a good amount of prep time next year Dave.
This is so interesting! I had no idea that the Irish had such a role to play in Halloween becoming popular in North America. And, I’ll have two of those eyeball cocktails, please.
I love the carved pumpkin! Not sure I could do that at home. The cocktails would be fantastic for a party. I am sending this on to a few folks I know that love Halloween!
First of all, I love this postcard design thing that I’m typing right now for the comment 😉 It’s fascinating to know different origins of Halloween in every country. The cocktail looks enticing, thanks for sharing the ingredients 😉