By Mike Power

Hallowe’en really means ‘the eve of the hallowed (‘holy) Saints Day (November 1st). The ancient Celts in Swords also had a holiday ‘Samhain’ at this time of year celebrating the end of harvest and the beginning of Winter. This feast-day was then adopted by the early Christian church here, becoming the traditional time for lots of spooky fun as we know it today.

For much of it’s long life, Swords served a largely agricultural hinterland and many of the local traditions associated with this time of year such as ceasing to pick blackberries (angry spirits); putting out food for roaming spirits; wearing straw hats and lighting bonfires, are all connected with farming.

I can’t do any better in describing Sword’s ancient spooky ‘atmospherics’ of Hallowe’en, than quoting a piece from my forthcoming book ‘Swords: History and Heritage Community Guide’. This imagined historical scene happens up at Killeek to the west of Swords, beside the river Ward there. Killeek is a place with an ancient pagan heritage.

A line of torches led from the river to the sacred ash grove. It was Samhain for the tribe, their world poised between light and dark.. The soft light from a full moon glistened on the beads of frost on the ancient ash tree. A rhythmical, hypnotic chant came from the lines of people waiting to enter the sacred grove. Nearby a clutch of half wild dogs snarled over a wild boar’s head. From the river the Ollamh (Teacher) of the tribe brought a , cup full of water made from holly wood, holding it high in front of him, his pupils walking respectfully behind. The clothes he wore were dyed purple from berry dyes and his cloak draped him from head to toe. On his head he wore a wreath made from oak branches, the magic tree, the antlers from a buck doe on his head. When he entered the grove, a profound hush came on the people nearby. Entering the grove, the Ollamh sprinkled the water on the roots of the ash, a charm to ensure a good harvest in the coming year, and to placate Carnonos, the antler god. The chanting now began again, ringing around the valley’s flanks, louder and more fiercely. Triumphal fires were lit. In the people Hope was born again.