october 2026: samhain (halloween) in ireland
a coast-to-coast tour of ancestral connection through song, story, sacred sites & thin places
through Donegal Square Celtic Heritage Tours
through Donegal Square Celtic Heritage Tours
Discover the ancient and contemporary traditions of the Festival of Samhain
Sah-wen: a pre-Christian Celtic festival marking the transition to Winter
Today, Pagan traditions blend with Christian history and contemporary All Hallows culture, inviting you to a season of myth, mystery, reflection and remembrance.
Connect to old ways, seasonal customs, heritage, folklore & folk arts through
Sah-wen: a pre-Christian Celtic festival marking the transition to Winter
Today, Pagan traditions blend with Christian history and contemporary All Hallows culture, inviting you to a season of myth, mystery, reflection and remembrance.
Connect to old ways, seasonal customs, heritage, folklore & folk arts through
- Gathering, Learning, Listening;
- Walking, Talking & Experiencing Ireland... at a magical Threshold time
THE TOUR
WHEN: HALLOWEEN WEEK 2026 | Oct 24 - Oct 31 (8 tour days + 2 travel days)
WHERE: Counties Galway, Clare, Mayo & Meath
WHO: Fiona (music, folklore, language); Kate Scuffle (Irish culture, history, literature); local artists & facilitators
FOR: those interested in: ancestry, Celtic culture, singing in community (you don't need to be a good singer!), folklore & mythology, seasonal celebrations, meeting new friends and non-strenuous exploration of small Irish cities, villages, museums and nature sites.
Recommended for those who can tolerate the Fall weather!
WHAT: folk song learning, storytelling, mini-Irish Gaeilge lessons, simple handcrafting, gentle walks, early Christian sites, neolithic sites, fairy mounds, ancient trees, pubs & shopping, contemplative time & spaces, stunning views and two internationally-renowned Samhain street festivals.
PACKAGE: includes all accommodations (3 & 4-star hotels), daily Full Irish breakfasts, all in-country travel including 2 airport transfers, daily expenses & entrance fees (museums, festivals, sites), & select additional meals.
PRICE RANGE: estimate: $3500, double occupancy, not including air-fare. See "Itinerary" PDF below for full details.
DEPARTURE: Travelers welcome to depart from Donegal Square in Bethlehem, PA October 23 on a chartered bus OR arrange their own home-airport travel.
DETAILS: From Philadelphia - Dublin / Dublin - Philadelphia.
FAQ: Can I travel from any preferred location and meet up with the group in Ireland?
Yes! You can
REGISTER: contact Marie - [email protected] - to sign-up (with deposit) or with questions
WHERE: Counties Galway, Clare, Mayo & Meath
WHO: Fiona (music, folklore, language); Kate Scuffle (Irish culture, history, literature); local artists & facilitators
FOR: those interested in: ancestry, Celtic culture, singing in community (you don't need to be a good singer!), folklore & mythology, seasonal celebrations, meeting new friends and non-strenuous exploration of small Irish cities, villages, museums and nature sites.
Recommended for those who can tolerate the Fall weather!
WHAT: folk song learning, storytelling, mini-Irish Gaeilge lessons, simple handcrafting, gentle walks, early Christian sites, neolithic sites, fairy mounds, ancient trees, pubs & shopping, contemplative time & spaces, stunning views and two internationally-renowned Samhain street festivals.
PACKAGE: includes all accommodations (3 & 4-star hotels), daily Full Irish breakfasts, all in-country travel including 2 airport transfers, daily expenses & entrance fees (museums, festivals, sites), & select additional meals.
PRICE RANGE: estimate: $3500, double occupancy, not including air-fare. See "Itinerary" PDF below for full details.
DEPARTURE: Travelers welcome to depart from Donegal Square in Bethlehem, PA October 23 on a chartered bus OR arrange their own home-airport travel.
DETAILS: From Philadelphia - Dublin / Dublin - Philadelphia.
FAQ: Can I travel from any preferred location and meet up with the group in Ireland?
Yes! You can
- travel with us from Bethlehem
- meet us at the Philadelphia airport with your own drop-off
- fly to and from a different airport
- meet us in Dublin for an airport transfer to the start of the tour in Galway
- meet us on the first day in Galway! (fly into Shannon)
- SAME with all return logistics
REGISTER: contact Marie - [email protected] - to sign-up (with deposit) or with questions
Tour Materials
Click the link below, "Here" to download a PowerPoint with in-depth information about the trip:
Click the link below, "Here" to view the Itinerary
email [email protected] for:
TOUR REGISTRATION
LOGISTICS QUESTIONS
A LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO RECORDING OF FEB 15 INFORMATIONAL OPEN HOUSE
TOUR REGISTRATION
LOGISTICS QUESTIONS
A LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO RECORDING OF FEB 15 INFORMATIONAL OPEN HOUSE
QUICK PEEK
Thin Places
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Stunning Contemplative Gardens
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Holy Wells
Music & Storytelling
Prehistoric Wonders
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Sacred Centers
Evocative Coastlines
Iconic Views
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One-of-a-kind Festivals
High Art
Wildlife (and adjacent folklore!)
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Medieval Grandeur
Cultural Centers with vibrant history, art and street life
Perfect Pubs
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+ 4-star hotels in great locations
+ private, candlelit storytelling sessions
+ private straw-crafting workshop
+ seasonal Samhain exhibitions at Brigit's Garden (Galway), the Museum of Folklife (Castlebar) & The Hill of Ward (Co. Meath)
+ private, candlelit storytelling sessions
+ private straw-crafting workshop
+ seasonal Samhain exhibitions at Brigit's Garden (Galway), the Museum of Folklife (Castlebar) & The Hill of Ward (Co. Meath)