Ierse Halloweenrecepten en -tradities om thuis te proberen

Before Halloween became all about costumes and sweets, it was known in Ireland as Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). This ancient Celtic festival marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter — a time when the days grew shorter, and communities prepared for the colder months ahead.

But Samhain wasn’t just about seasonal change. For centuries, it was believed that on the night of 31 October, the barrier between the living and the dead grew thin. Spirits could cross into the world of the living, and people lit bonfires and left out food offerings to protect themselves.

Looking to bring a bit of Irish tradition to your Halloween table? These classic recipes have been part of Samhain celebrations for generations. From fortune-telling fruit loaves to buttery mash with hidden coins, Irish Halloween food is simple, hearty, and full of meaning.

Barmbrack

A sweet, spiced bread packed with dried fruit and hidden trinkets. Each charm has a different meaning: a ring for marriage, a coin for wealth, a rag for bad luck (sorry).

Toast it, butter it, and see what your slice says about your future.

Irish Apple Cake

Apples were considered sacred during Samhain, and they still feature in plenty of Halloween games and dishes.

This soft sponge is packed with cinnamon-spiced apples and best served warm with custard or cream.

Colcannon

Creamy mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage or kale. In the past, families would hide coins in the mix for children to find – a tasty twist on trick-or-treating.

It’s budget-friendly comfort food that fits perfectly with cooler autumn evenings.

Boxty

A traditional potato pancake from the west of Ireland.

Fry until crisp and serve with garlic butter or beetroot hummus for a darker, seasonal twist.

Soul Cakes

These small, spiced cakes were once handed out to those who went door-to-door singing prayers for the dead. The tradition dates back centuries and is believed to be the earliest form of trick-or-treating.

Bake a batch and serve with tea or cider.

Long before tarot cards and crystal balls, the Irish had their own ways of predicting the future. During Samhain, when the boundary between worlds was believed to be at its thinnest, fortune-telling games were part of the night’s fun.

Snap & bobbing apples

This classic Irish Halloween game is all about timing. Hang apples from strings, or float them in a basin of water, and try to bite one without using your hands.

Traditionally played by children, it’s guaranteed to get laughs — and it’s trickier than it looks.

Find the Ring in the Barmbrack

As mentioned in the recipes section, barmbrack isn't just food — it's a fortune-teller in loaf form.

Whoever finds the ring is said to be the next to marry. Other objects hidden in the bread might predict wealth, hardship, or travel.

Hazelnut Love Test

In old Irish households, single people would place two hazelnuts near the fire — one representing them, the other a love interest.

If the nuts burned quietly together, it was a good sign. If one popped or rolled away, maybe not. It’s simple, symbolic, and a sweet nod to ancient beliefs.

These DIY Irish Halloween decorations are a fun, affordable way to tap into the folklore behind the season. Natural, homemade, and full of story, they add more than just atmosphere — they connect your home to centuries of Irish tradition.

Carve a turnip

Before pumpkins became the Halloween go-to, Irish people carved turnips (or swedes). They were used to ward off evil spirits, with grim faces lit from within. They’re smaller, harder to carve, and honestly a bit more terrifying.

Make a Samhain wreath

Gather autumn leaves, twigs, berries, and dried herbs to create a door wreath inspired by the Irish countryside. Add rosemary for remembrance (a nod to ancestors), rowan for protection, or hawthorn if you’re feeling bold (cutting a live hawthorn is said to bring bad luck).

Blackberry-dyed bunting

Blackberries and elderberries were often picked around Halloween. Before that date, use leftover berries to naturally dye cloth for table runners, bunting, or jam-jar candles.

Bonfire-inspired lanterns

Can’t light a real bonfire? Try making small tea-light lanterns using orange and red tissue paper inside jam jars. Bonfires were central to ancient Samhain rituals — they symbolised protection, renewal, and community.

The Banshee

Ireland’s most famous ghostly figure, said to wail before a death. Great for telling aloud.

Children of Lir

A tragic tale of transformation and loss, steeped in otherworldly sorrow.

Púca Stories

Mischievous shapeshifters that appear during Samhain, often leading travellers astray.

Blúiríní Béaloidis Podcast

A brilliant modern Irish folklore podcast (some episodes in Irish, many in English).