The Irish roots of Halloween: celebrating Samhain with Clodagh Doyle, Keeper of the Irish Folklife Division of the National Museum of Ireland, Country Life.

The Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco and the United Irish Cultural Center invite you to join us on 30 October at 4 pm PST, as we celebrate Halloween, and the start of winter with Clodagh Doyle, Keeper of the Irish Folklife Division of the National Museum of Ireland — Country Life.

Clodagh joins Elizabeth Creely to discuss Hallowe’en, the eve of Samhain, and one of four ancient seasonal festivals in Ireland.

Hallowe’en is a festival that developed before electrification, when the night was always black and the countryside sparsely inhabited. Clodagh and Elizabeth will talk about how the Irish commemorated their beloved dead, and protected their homes against other, less welcome spirits during this otherworldly night by making protective objects, including the one we know best: the Jack O’Lantern.

Clodagh and Elizabeth will be joined by artist Paula Stokes, whose work “1845: Memento Mori” commemorates the victims of the 19th century Irish Potato Famine.

This event will be streamed live outside from the United Irish Cultural Center (2700 45th Ave @ Wawona St in SF). Patrons of the UICC’s Wawona Gates (Outdoor Dining) are welcome to listen to the talk!

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErf-ChqjIpEtA1eff7laObeAypO3NJxjz8

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.