Halloween in Ireland Trivia Quiz

Answer: Samhain

They called it The Feast of the Dead, when those who had passed on came back and visited this world. It was the line between the Summer and the Winter months, when most things had been harvested.

Answer: Eighth century

Since October 31 was the day before All Hallow's Day, the night of October 31 had to be All Hallow's Eve, which in time became contracted to Halloween. The current date of All Saints' Day (All Hallow's Day) was founded by Pope Gregory, 731 to 741 AD.

Answer: Colcannon

Colcannon is a dish of mashed potatoes mixed with kale, and served with raw onions. Often boiled ham or Irish bacon will come with the dish. Kale comes into season in late fall and winter, so it's an ideal vegetable to have on Halloween.

Answer: Barmbrack Cake

Barmbrack cake is really a fruit bread, in which three "treasures" are baked. Everyone gets a piece of the cake. One lucky person gets a piece with a ring in it, denoting pending romance or continued happiness. Another gets a piece with a coin in it and can look forward to a prosperous year.

The last one, who gets a piece of rag, is not so lucky. His (or her!) financial picture ahead is "doubtful".

Answer: Turnips

According to the tale, Jack, an Irish blacksmith, made a pact with the Devil and therefore he was denied entry to Heaven. He was left to wander for eternity. When he asked for some light, he was given an ember which he put into a turnip he had hollowed out. Thus, the Irish kept one in their window to keep this damned soul, the Wandering Jack, out of their house.

When the Irish immigrated to America, pumpkins were far easier to find than were turnips, so they were used instead.

Answer: Spirits and devils

Since at Samhain the living and the dead were nearer to each other than at any other time in the year, the living were afraid that they might be carried away by the dead unless they disguised themselves to look like the dead looked. Or as they suspected the returning dead would look. That's why witches, goblins, ghosts and devils are the most popular costumes nowdays. Much the same as then.

Answer: Apple

In Ireland, that game is called "Snap Apple". Virtually the same game can be played by putting apples in a container of water and trying to get them out without using one's hands. That's called, in the US, "Bobbing for Apples".

Answer: A piece of hair

The idea is that after you do this, you go to sleep and you will dream of who your future spouse will be. The bonfire was one of the Celtic "fire" celebrations. (I assume only unmarried people do this...)

Answer: Throw dust at them

The Irish tradition says if you throw the dust from under your feet at the fairies and goblins that they will have to let loose all the souls that they had captured. So you'd be a real hero.

Answer: Spit on him

Now this tradition seems to have to do with farm animals, so I don't know whether or not you need to do it to your dog or cat. Perhaps you'd best roust your veterinarian out of bed so he can take a look. Holy water was often used on the animals, too, but that may be something of which you are presently out.