{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ireland: The Home of Halloween - Discover Ancient Fires, Folklore and Spooky Stories","description":"Did you know that Halloween\u2019s true origins are rooted in the ancient Celtic traditions of Ireland? This isn\u2019t just any Halloween story\u2014this is a spooky audio journey into the heart of the Emerald Isle, where the festival we now know as Halloween began over 2,000 years ago. Join us for an immersive, spine-tingling adventure through Ireland\u2019s mystical myths, haunting folklore, and fascinating Samhain traditions.   In this special episode, we take you to County Meath, home to the P\u00faca Festival, where history, fire, and feasting combine with the strange and mischievous spirits of the Celtic Otherworld. You\u2019ll hear the crackle of ceremonial fires and feel the chill of ghost stories as we travel to Ireland\u2019s Ancient East to uncover the secrets of Samhain, the festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Get ready for an epic Halloween experience! We\u2019ll introduce you to the P\u00faca, the shape-shifting creature of Celtic lore, who embodies the chaos and mystery of this bewitching season. The P\u00faca Festival is not just about folklore; it\u2019s a celebration of music, myth, food, and fire set against the backdrop of Ireland\u2019s most historic places, from the towering Trim Castle to the ancient Hill of Ward, where the original Samhain fires were lit centuries ago. Recorded on location, we\u2019ll take you behind the scenes of one of Ireland\u2019s most brilliant and imaginative festivals. Along the way, we\u2019ll share spooky stories, haunting legends, and our own chilling encounters as the veil between worlds thins.  This is more than just a history lesson\u2014it\u2019s a journey into a world where the past and the present meet, where the eerie traditions of Halloween still resonate in Ireland\u2019s wild landscapes. Whether you\u2019re a Halloween enthusiast or a lover of rich cultural traditions, this episode promises to transport you to a land steeped in mystery, ghostly legends, and ancient customs that will leave you captivated. With thanks to Tourism Ireland and Irish Ferries for supporting this episode of the Travel Goals Podcast. Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nicknamed Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and Lonely Planet author.  If you love to travel, check out my travel website and subscribe to my travel newsletter to get travel guides and new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast delivered straight to your inbox. Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook  Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.  Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.  Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. ","author_name":"Travel Goals Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/pipandthecity.com\/travel-podcast\/","html":"