Celebrating Irish Calendar Customs
As the days grow shorter and the harvest season draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with Ireland’s rich calendar customs. Samhain, signalling the beginning of winter, invites reflection, storytelling, and the honouring of ancestral traditions.
The phrase ‘Ó Samhain go Bealtaine’ (from Halloween to May Day) appears in several Early Irish literary texts and traditionally marks the winter season. In these stories, this period is associated with visiting poets and the provision of hospitality, perhaps reflecting that the Irish winter was once seen as a particularly appropriate time for poetry and storytelling.
To celebrate this special season, primary schools are invited to bring this theme to life in the classroom through a free Heritage in Schools visit. These visits, taking place from 2 to 6 November, will offer students a unique opportunity to explore Irish folklore, seasonal customs, and the cultural significance of Samhain, bringing the spirit of Samhain and Ireland’s storytelling tradition into classrooms across the country.
200 free visits are available with a limit of one free visit per school and must be booked through our new booking page School Booking App.
Follow this step-by-step guide to complete a booking request form foryour school. It covers all necessary steps, from providing school details and visit specifics to confirming essential compliance declarations.
Alternatively you can view this short Heritage in Schools booking form screen recording to guide you through the booking process.