Oíche Shamhna: An Ancient Mystery ***NEW SERIES***

Episode 1:
Halloween. A time on the threshold of winter when all things scary and supernatural draw near.
Halloween has long been hugely popular in America, and now it’s spreading around the globe.
This, the first episode in a 2 x 1 hour documentary series, traces the Irish origins of Halloween
through new scientific discoveries and interpretations. In a fascinating blend of folklore,
mythology and archaeology, the episode reveals how Halloween descends from Samhain, an
ancient celebration in Ireland. And a 2,000-year-old bronze calendar in Lyon reveals the links
between ancient Ireland and Gaul, showing that Halloween may also have roots in France. (101
words

Series Overview

Halloween. A time on the threshold of winter when all things scary and supernatural draw near.
Halloween has long been hugely popular in America, and now it’s spreading around the globe –
but its roots lie in Ireland. This 2 x 1 hour documentary series uses science, archaeology, folklore
and mythology to reveal how Halloween descends from the ancient Irish festival of Samhain.
Many modern Halloween customs have their roots in Samhain beliefs, especially the idea that
the Otherworld draws close at this time. Now, scientists investigate an eerie cave in western
Ireland. The ancient legends associated with this place could reveal the meaning of Halloween.

Clár 1

Oíche Shamhna. Tráth den bhliain, le teacht an gheimhridh, nuair is dócha caidreamh le neacha uafásacha agus osnádúrtha. Is fada ceiliúradh mór á dhéanamh i Meiriceá ar Oíche Shamhna, agus tá sin ag scaipeadh ar fud an domhain le tamall de bhlianta anois. Sa chéad chlár seo de shraith 2 chlár x 1 uair a chloig faisnéise, ríomhtar bunús Oíche Shamhna in Éirinn le cíoradh ar thoradh saothair obair nua lucht eolaíochta. Le cumasc spéisiúil ábhar béaloidis, miotaseolaíochta agus seandálaíochta, léirítear sa chlár seo an chaoi a síolraíonn Oíche Shamhna anuas ó sheanfhéile ársa na Samhna in Éirinn. Agus léiríonn féilire cré-umha atá i Lyon na Fraince an ceangal idir Éire agus an Ghaill sa ré ársa, ceangal ar cuid é de seanbhunús na Samhna.

Oíche Shamhna. Tráth den bhliain, le teacht an gheimhridh, nuair is dócha caidreamh le neacha uafásacha agus osnádúrtha. Is fada ceiliúradh mór á dhéanamh i Meiriceá ar Oíche Shamhna, agus tá sin ag scaipeadh ar fud an domhain anois – ach is le hÉirinn a bhaineann Oíche Shamhna ó bhunús. Baintear leas sa tsraith dhá chlár faisnéise uair a chloig an ceann seo as cúrsaí eolaíochta, seandálaíochta, béaloidis agus miotaseolaíochta lena léiriú gur ó sheanfhéile na Samhna in Éirinn a shíolraíonn Oíche Shamhna. Tá cuid mhór de na nósanna a bhaineann le hOíche Shamhna an lae inniu ar féidir a mbunús a ríomh siar go Samhain na hÉireann, go háirithe an tuiscint gur ag an tráth seo den bhliain is gaire an Saol Eile don saol seo. Tá lucht eolaíochta i mbun iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar uaimh uaigneach in iarthar na hÉireann. D’fhéadfadh míniú ar Oíche Shamhna a bheith le sonrú ar na seanscéalta atá ceangailte leis an áit sin.

Oíche Shamhna: An Ancient Mystery
A cast of a turnip lantern from the Museum of Country Life, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Character in a clown costume during Halloween festivities in Sleepy Hollow, USA
Masked figure taking part in the Púca Festival parade in Ireland