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    Private Departures

    The Origins of Halloween

    Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

    From: £4,695.00

    Travel Planning & Advice

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    Trip created by Darragh Devaney
    View Darragh's Profile

    Region: Multi-Location
    Trip Type: Private Departures
    Accommodation: Deluxe
    Deposit From: £1,174

    Grading: Your Own Pace

    Carbon Footprint: 144kg ? What does this mean?
    Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

    Download Itinerary

    Did you know that Halloween can trace its roots back to Ireland? Halloween originates from an ancient pagan festival called Samhain (pronounced “saw-when”), which marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

    It’s also the time of year when the ancient Celtic peoples believed that the door between our world and the “other” world was open. So you wore disguises, left out offerings and played tricks to make sure that the spirits didn’t spirit you off to the other world.

    Leave the summer crowds behind and visit Ireland at the most fascinating – and spookiest – time of year. This autumn, visit Ireland to discover the origins of Halloween on your very own private tour of Ireland.

    Trip Highlights

    • Visit some of Dublin's lesser-known (and spookier!) monuments
    • Join us on a seaweed foraging expedition on the west coast of Ireland
    • Depending on timing, take part in seasonal autumn festivities

    Day by Day Itinerary

    Day 1 - The Dark Side of Dublin

    Arriving in Dublin, discover the roots of this great city with a historian who will introduce you to all of Dublin’s traditional sights – as well as Dublin’s spookier underbelly. Dublin has a long and troubled history – get acquainted with this cosmopolitan city through those who have called Dublin home, from the Celts, Vikings and Normans, to early Christians and the Middle Ages through the various rebellions, the Victorian era, the finally Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Troubles.

    *Optional Upgrade: After-hours visit to the Little Museum. Things are always a bit more spooky after dark – learn the history of the people of 20th century Dublin with a private visit led by the curator.

    Day 2 - Glasnevin Cemetery & Dublin’s Mummies

    Egypt’s not the only place for mummies – Dublin has mummies too! From the creepy half-forgotten crypt underneath St Michan’s Church to accidental mummies of a cat and rat in the Christ Church Cathedral or even the ancient but well-preserved bog bodies at the National Archeology Museum, Dublin is full of mummies. Any visit to Ireland near Halloween should include at least one cemetery. With a passionate local historian, wander the rows of tombstones through the  massive Glasnevin Cemetery in the oldest section of the graveyard.

    *Trips at the end of October: The Bram Stoker festival
    Leading up to Halloween, Dublin hosts a spectacular festival centred around Irish horror writer and inventor of “Count Dracula,” Bram Stoker. Combine Dublin’s mummies with the brilliant Bram Stoker Festival and its wealth of Stoker- and Dracula-related events from concerts to readings, films, even séances!

    Day 3 - Rathcroghan, Gateway to the Underworld

    Heading west, leave the city behind to head into the quiet, desolate landscapes of the Midlands. County Roscommon’s ancient site at Rathcroghan are where the ancient kings of Connacht where once crowned. Off the traditional tourist path, head down a tiny laneway to find the entrance to a cave that is reputed to be the Gateway to the Otherworld, or the Gateway to Hell. Spend the rest of the afternoon in fascinating Galway, where we join the festive seasonal atmosphere just in time to experience the famous Macnas Halloween Parade,* full of brilliant costumes, fireworks, music, street food, and dance, creating a magical-realist world brimming with fizzing light, and infusing the streets with spices and aromas.

    *Trips at the end of October:
    The Macnas Halloween parade is an annual parade that takes place on a weekend preceding Halloween through the cobbled streets of Galway. Time your trip right to join in the festivities of this iconic parade!

    Day 4 - The Wilds of Connemara

    Leaving the city behind, we head for the wilds of Connemara. Though a popular place to visit in the summer months, by autumn it’s likely that we’ll have much of the wilds to ourselves. Heading to the Connemara seashore, you’ll join a seashore foraging expert to learn about the Atlantic Coast’s edible seaweeds. Later, we visit a shellfish farm to learn about aquaculture in Connemara and taste some of the fresh seafood dishes incorporating seafood grown on the farm as well as sea plants foraged along the shore. 

    Optional Upgrade: Tasting tour in a poitín distillery. The first Galway-based distillery to open in 100+ years, learn the history of poitín, whiskey and gin, discovering the traditional roots behind Irish poitín as well as what makes this poitín so unique.

    Day 5 - The Ancient Hill of Uisneach

    The Hill of Uisneach in the heart of Ireland has played a part in almost all of significant events in Ireland, be it political, cultural, religious, mythological and geographical. In many ways, the Hill of Uisneach is the epicentre of Ireland, and is still revered as an ancient sacred site. The centre of Ireland in many ways, the enigmatic hill is one of the most sacred and historic sanctuaries in the world. The view from the top of Uisneach is both beautiful and far-reaching. Immerse yourself in Ireland’s fascinating ancient history by visiting the Hill of Uisneach with a local expert and archeologist who will bring to life the history of this long-sacred place.

    Day 6 - Dublin & Depart

    Your final day, enjoy a leisurely morning and breakfast at your accommodation in Dublin before heading home or continuing onwards to your next destination.

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    Private Departures
    The Origins of Halloween

    To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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    The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

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    Price from: €4,695
    Duration: 6 Days 5 Nights

    Trip Details

    Accommodation Read More

    While visiting Ireland, expect Deluxe level of accommodation. Relax in boutique hotels, stately guesthouses, and beautiful manors. Each Deluxe accommodation has been chosen for its high comfort standards and service, its scenic location and its lovely amenities.

    On this deluxe tour, partake in all of the excitement of a hiking adventure paired with the comfort and luxuriousness of deluxe accommodations. More than just a place to sleep, your accommodations play an active role in your Irish experience.

    Inclusions Read More
    • 5 nights accommodation in hand-picked, family-run guesthouses, B&Bs & boutique hotels
    • Meals as indicated incl. all Breakfasts and Lunches (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver throughout
    • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Dublin
    • Activities as stated in the itinerary, including:
      • Dublin historical walking you
      • Guided tour of Glasnevin Cemetery
      • Guided tour of St Michan’s Church Crypt
      • Seashore foraging & shellfish farm
      • Archeological tour of the Hill of Uisneach
    • Optional upgraded / seasonal activities as stated in the itinerary, including:
      • Tour & Tasting of a poitu00edn distillery
      • An after-hours visit to the Little Museum of Dublin
      • Macnas Parade
      • Bram Stoker Festival
    Trip Grading Read More

    At Your Own Pace

    On this adventure, you will be accompanied by a Wilderness Ireland hiking guide for several days, who will be able to suggest and lead you on a range of hikes from gentle, low-level rambles to challenging days visiting remote summits. Just let them know what type of hike you would like to do and they will be ready.

    On the other days of the trip, you will self guided and can explore at whatever pace you feel comfortable.

    Other Read More

    Optional Upgrades

    This trip features optional upgrades as well as seasonal activities. These additional experiences are designed to enhance your trip, though bear in mind that they incur an additional fee.

    See below for optional upgrades:

    • Tour & Tasting of a poitin distillery
    • After-hours visit to the Little Museum of Dublin
    • Macnas Parade
    • Bram Stoker Festival

    Photo Gallery

    Speak to an Expert

    Darragh Devaney

    One of our team members, Darragh is Wilderness Ireland’s Operations Manager. As the team’s resident bike expert, Darragh has helped research, design and even guide nearly all of Wilderness Ireland’s bike trips. When not in the office, Darragh can usually be found exploring a little-known corner of Ireland on two wheels or camping in the countryside with his family.

    Ask Darragh a Question

    Difficulty Grades Explained

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