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Halloween has its roots in ancient Celtic history and while pumpkins and costumes and scary movies may have come after the fact, the holiday is actually much more Irish than you might have known.
In fact, pumpkin carving dates back to a legend about an Irishman named Stingy Jack who is believed to have invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn’t want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin he could use instead. The Devil did so, but Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross (which stopped him from changing back to his original form).
Jack eventually freed the Devil, so long as he agreed not to bother him for one whole year and promised not to claim his soul when he died. Twelve months later, Jack fooled the Devil again – this time convincing him to climb a tree and pick a piece of fruit. While up in the tree, Jack carved a cross into the tree trunk, preventing the Devil from descending until he said he wouldn’t bother Jack for ten more years.
Jack died soon after, but as legend would have it, God wouldn’t let such a treacherous character into heaven. The Devil, though still upset by Jack’s making a fool of him, kept his word and didn’t claim his soul. Sending him off into the night with only a burning coal to light his way, Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and is believed to be roaming the earth to this very day. Locals reported sightings of a lone figure in the distance and Stingy Jack soon became Jack of the Lantern and then simply, Jack O’Lantern (the name our friends across the water now use to describe carved pumpkins).
Well, now that you know the history, booking in to pick your own pumpkin is obviously the next logical step.
Pumpkin picking is an annual event at Tinahely Farm in Co Wicklow, and their Indoor Halloween Experience invites you to explore their pumpkin shop, pick out your perfect pumpkin, meet Glinda the Witch in her eerie lair, and enjoy a delicious hot chocolate to keep you cosy. Tickets cost €16, and include entry to the indoor PlayBarn, face painting, a warming hot chocolate, and a meeting with Glenda. With events running on 19, 20, 26, and 27 October, you can find out more info and book your spot here.
A hub of festive activity from 14-30 October, Fulton’s Pumpkin Patch plants a dozen different varieties of pumpkins ranging in colour from white to blue and of course, the traditional orange. Introducing a bit of a spookier feel to their offerings, the team adorn the track in their corn maize field with Halloween decor and even run various spook nights to cater to older children and adults.
Clonfert Pet Farm has a fantastic family fun event in store this Halloween with highlights including a pumpkin patch, fun fair haunted house and lots more. Set to run from 19-31 October, the price of entry includes access to the haunted house, carnival, pumpkin patch, children’s disco and the many arts and crafts stations dotted throughout too.
Enchanted forest and Halloween go hand in hand if you ask us, and Luggwoods is busy putting the finishing touches on their “hooky spooky” event taking place later this month from 19-31 October. One of the country’s most authentic All Hallow’s Eve experiences, visitors will be guided through the trail by some very suss characters who will help you find the ingredients needed for the friendly witches’ Halloween brew. More info here.
Halloween is a big deal at the Killarney Pumpkin Farm who pull out all the stops for the occasion. Pick your own pumpkin or ghoulish gourd from the wonky pumpkin patch, get lost in the corn maize and meet Hagatha the farm witch before settling in for a haunted Samhain story or a trip on the Killarney ghost bus. You won’t be lost for things to do here, that’s for sure.
Running from 26-31 October, the annual Torchlight Treasure Hunt at Nore Valley is ideal for families of all ages with a special Scare Maze helping to keep older children and teens occupied too. Make sure to dress in your best costume to be in with a chance of winning the fancy dress competition! They’ve also got a pumpkin picking experience running on 12, 13, 19, 20 and 26-31 October.
Way down in Rebel County, Joe’s Farm gives visitors the chance to not only pick their own pumpkin, but walk around the farm and learn a little about where their vegetables come from too. Everything is outdoors though so definitely dress for the weather and wear wellies if possible too.
A version of this article was originally published in October 2023.