Ireland’s advert claims the country as the birthplace of Halloween

The Ireland advert shows us how Halloween was born in its lands more than 2,000 years ago.

Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. But not many people know the origin of this fantastic tradition. We know that it is the time of year to remember the dead, and many theories place it in the Gaelic festival of Samhain, in Ireland, with pagan roots.

This holiday is the star of the latest Tourism Ireland advert, where we will learn in a hypnotic spot how the inhabitants of the region feared the end of the harvest season, which marked the beginning of the harsh winter.

Ireland advert – Home of Halloween

“Discover the True Home of Halloween this Autumn” is the title of the Irish advert made by the agency Publicis London, directed by Leonn Ward and produced by Tiny Ark.

The piece was recorded in 16 millimetres and entirely in black and white. The hypnotic sequences transport us to 9th century Ireland where this holiday is mentioned for the first time. The Irish landscapes show us the country’s beauty with forests, cliffs, hills and, of course, primitive Halloween rituals.

Little by little we are getting to know the traditions of the villagers and how they create masks to dance before a bonfire, or how a woman carves a vegetable to place a candle in the centre. The Irish advert reminds us that the country is “Home of Halloween” and claims the country as an ideal destination this autumn.

According to Alice Mansergh, CEO of Tourism Ireland: “Halloween is one of the most popular festivals in the world, but not everyone knows that the holiday originated in Celtic culture over 2,000 years ago. At Tourism Ireland, we have worked with academics and experts to trace the origins of Halloween and to showcase it through landscape, culture and storytelling, whilst also keeping the modern appeal of the holiday alive with fabulous festivals across the island on 31 October.”

Watch | YouTube