Irish America

Halloween

All The News for All Hollow’s Eve

By Róisín Chapman
IA Newsletter October 30, 2021

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The number of Irish passport holders in Northern Ireland has risen dramatically while applications for U.K. passports have dipped, according to official reports outlined in a report by the Irish Times. Irish passport applications in Northern Ireland began to rise in 2016 after Britain voted to leave the EU. Applications for UK passports saw a 15% decrease while Irish passport … [Read more...] about All The News for All Hollow’s Eve

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

By Carstens Smith, Contributor
October 26, 2017

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The setting, Transylvania. The writing style, High Victorian. The story’s appeal, universal. But the author of one of fiction's most famous and imitated works is Irish. Carstens Smith brings us the story of Bram Stoker, the creator of Dracula. Bram Stoker, whose name is less well known than that of his creation, Dracula, was born in Dublin on November 8, 1847. He was called … [Read more...] about Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Weekly Comment: Spirit of Samhain Film Comes Stateside

By Olivia O’Mahony, Editorial Assistant
October 27, 2017

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A new documentary explores the humble origins in a small Derry pub of what has become Ireland’s largest Halloween festival. ℘℘℘ An award-winning Irish documentary that unravels the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, or the beginning of the winter season, made its U.S. premiere this festival season, and is currently streaming on Vimeo. Spiorad na Samhna, or “The Spirit of … [Read more...] about Weekly Comment: Spirit of Samhain Film Comes Stateside

Weekly Comment: Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired By Irish Folklore

By Michelle Meagher, Editorial Assistant
October 14, 2016

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With Halloween upon us, many are still scrambling to buy last minute costumes. Before you spend a dismembered arm and a pirate’s peg leg on a pre-packaged idea that's probably been done a hundred times before, check out some of Ireland's most fearsome creatures for inspiration. After all, Halloween's roots can be found in ancient Celtic traditions, so why not trust the … [Read more...] about Weekly Comment: Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired By Irish Folklore