Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween in Ireland

Carved by the staff in Bewley's Restaurant
HaPpY HaLlOwEen!
The day has just begun, and we have been "warned" that Halloween is quite lively here in Dublin. We are taking a break between sessions and have not begun to prepare for pending celebrations, but the day is still young...so when in Rome (or Dublin)...
This post is to be continued...









Paul Colella is a published author from North Haven and former history school teacher who writes about the history of Halloween at http://www.myrecordjournal.com/northhavencitizen/article_103944d8-1ee2-11e2-85c7-001a4bcf887a.html

Halloween in Dublin, Ireland

23 comments:

Phil Feldman said...

So glad you guys are enjoying a good fun-to-work ratio!

Unknown said...

Absolutely! Balance is important in all things!!

Kayla Nelson said...

Do they trick-or-treat in Dublin?

Susan Santoli said...

Yes; they trick or treat and Halloween decorations were everywhere-quickly replaced by Christmas the next day!

Jazmin Montgomery said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jazmin Montgomery said...


Dear Vitulli and Santoli,

My name is Jazmin, I am current student at the University of South Alabama. I deleted my last comment, because of an error. I would really like to know how Dublin celebrates Halloween compared to the United States. I did however read your link “A history in Halloween”, by Paul Colella. I must admit I did not ever, out of all my years in school, learn about the history of Halloween; I would just dress up and look forward to the candy. There seems to be so much more behind it all, by honoring the dead. Thank you for your post, and I hope to hear about Halloween in Dublin.

Unknown said...

Jazmin,
In my discussions with the locals, it seems Halloween celebrations are very similar to my experiences in the US, including trick-or-treating. The night life and parties were very similar as well, with the young adults dressing up to visit the pubs.

Patricia Hampton said...

Hi Dr. V! Halloween in Ireland must have been a great experience. So many times we read about holiday celebrations but rarely have the actual experience. I was wondering if they have a special holiday candy like our candy corn or if thy really say trick or treat at someone's door or another phrase? Glad you and Dr. S are back safe and sound. See you in class in a little bit.

Pat Hampton

Unknown said...

Hey again, wow I did not know Halloween was assosicated with all that stuff. Now it makes sense that some family don't celebrate it. Thank you for posting that link I found it so interesting. I had no idea that they used to carve turnips to be lanterns for the people who had died, now we carve pumpkins almost for the same reason we just don't know what we're doing. I always celebrate Halloween and carve pumpkins but I never really knew the meaning behind all of it. Thank you for euducating me in this subject mrs.Vitulli!
Kayla Szymanski

Unknown said...

Very interesting. A lot of times we do things only because they are traditions and because our parents and there parents did them without even knowing what they truly mean.. The meaning behind a lot of things we do are lost.. Its amazing that they practice the same things that we do in the U.S. Dressing up, candy corn, and trick or treating..

Shelby Owen said...

Dr. Vitulli,
Sounds like you not only did work in Ireland but also play which is how it should be. I loved reading about the history of Halloween and never knew that Halloween started to mark the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of winter, and to commemorate the passing of the dead. I honestly never knew that others celebrated Halloween I thought it was a American thing but it is interesting to get different view on Halloween! Glad you had a good time on your visit!

Shelby Owen

Courtney Block said...

Dear Dr. Vitulli,

I have been having issues, so this is my 3rd time writing this lets hope it works. I was very impressed with all of the new information that I learned about Halloween from your link. I think that our holidays transform into different things as they get older. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It just makes it different. I think that the way we celebrate Halloween now is more creative then what it was meant to be. We were supposed to be honoring the dead and commemorating their memories. Now we just dress up to be something completely different and to be something we are not for a night. I think that as long as we know the meaning and the reason the holiday was made up there is no issue making it what we want it to be. I am glad that you had a great time! I would love to see more pictures if you have them. Thanks!

Courtney Block

Anonymous said...

Dear Dr.Vitulli,

It's wonderful to see how much you enjoyed your conference in Ireland. There was much to marvel at.I absolutely love the "Beetlejuice" costume. I wasn't aware that Halloween was celebrated in other countries, so that was definitely interesting to find out.

Kristy Powell

Anonymous said...

Ms. V,
mI would love to been there for Halloween! I thought the story about the different color doors was very interesting. I can only imagine how amzingly beautiful the park with all the deer was. Im so jealous. You are an awesome teacher and I want to be like you when I grow up... LOL

Nicole Dowling EDU 301

Tori Erdossy said...

Hi Dr. Vitulli,
I have enjoyed reading this blog very much...Ireland seems like a wonderful country, and I would love to visit it someday. I have to admit that I always thought of Halloween as an American holiday, so I learned something new from this post! Thanks for all the great information!
Tori Erdossy

Marianne Lane said...

Hi Dr. Vitulli,
It is always fun to hear about other countries celebrating halloween. You need to have balance in your life, so go out and have some fun!

Stephanie Tisdale said...

Hi Dr. Vitulli,

I enjoyed your blog post! I had no idea that other countries celebrated Halloween. Thanks for sharing the link!

Stephanie Tisdale

Anonymous said...

Dr. Vitulli & Dr. Santoli,

Halloween is a big deal in my house because my younger brother was born on Halloween. As many others have said, I was unaware that other countries celebrated Halloween. I love the picture of the two people dressed in costume. I saw a man at the Hard Rock a few weeks ago also dressed as Beetlejuice. He happened to be my favorite "character" of the night.

Haleigh

Raven Chambers said...

Dr. Vitulli & Dr. Santoli

I would have never even imagined that Ireland celebrated a holiday such as Halloween. I can only imagine what a beautiful experience this was. With all the lovely photos and post it makes me want to visit someday.

Unknown said...

Being able to celebrate a Holiday somewhere else that is different from home is always good and most times you can always learn something different. I always find it interesting to read about the origination of the things celebrated in America. A lot of times we have changed the meaning or the reason. Halloween has always been one of those holidays we did not celebrate and after reading this article, I have a better understanding of why we did not. Beetle Juice looked great tho!

Anonymous said...

Its very interesting to know other countries celebrate just as we do!! It looks like they really enjoy the holiday over there! It would be wonderful to experiece a holiday in another country! Thanks so much for sharing!

Jacqueline Joiner
EDU 301

Anonymous said...

It's unique to see and think about the way(s) other cultures celebrate various holidays

Laura Carpenter

Carmen Young said...

Hi Dr. Vitulli & Santolli,
I would have never imagined that Ireland celebrated halloween. From the pictures it looks like they get very involved with it. How many times did you guys get scared of something?