0 €0.00
products in your basketto quote Checkout
Ooops no items were found.
Try something else.
Ok
Loading…

Free Next Day Delivery throughout Ireland

Find our stores

Ink and Toner Finder

Buying guides

Happy Halloween 2021

Halloween is fast approaching and we’re already seeing the shops filling up with paranormal paraphernalia. It’s a holiday celebrated all around the world, but did you know that many of the traditions central to Halloween have their origins here in Ireland?

Samhain

Halloween is rooted in the Celtic festival of Samhain, which celebrated the end of one year and the beginning of the next. At this time of transition, it was believed that the barrier between the physical and spiritual realms became blurred and ghosts, fairies and other supernatural entities could make their way into the human world. In order to scare off evil spirits and deceased enemies, the Celts would light bonfires and dress in frightening costumes – practices we still see at Halloween to this day!

Jack O’Lanterns

The original Jack O’Lanterns were actually carved from turnips rather than pumpkins, as pumpkins are not native to Ireland. The Celts would carve faces into vegetables and place them outside their houses to ward off any unwelcome spirits and wicked fairies who supposedly wandered the earth at this time of year. The lanterns got their name from the legend of a young man, Jack, who gambled with the Devil and won a promise that he would never take his soul, but was denied entry to Heaven for his sinful behaviour. Being kept from both Heaven and Hell, Jack was cursed to roam the hills of Ireland for all eternity with nothing but a carved turnip and a lump of burning coal to light his way.

Trick or Treat

Trick or treating is often believed to be an American practice, but like so many other traditions it also has its roots in Celtic Ireland. Small offerings such as eggs, nuts and fruit were collected from each house to protect against bad luck and ensure a safe harvest. Those who were stingy with their offerings, though, risked mischievous tricks being played on them, such as gates being moved or signposts spun around!

Here at Office Supplies Ireland we’re very proud of our heritage, and it’s great to see how influential Irish culture has been on a worldwide celebration like Halloween!

 

www.officesupplies.ie

 

Spruce up your office

Read More

5 Tips to Keep Organised at Work

Read More

Happy St.Patricks Day

Read More

Random Acts of Kindness

Read More

Return to the office after the Omicron Wave

Read More

Happy Holidays

Read More

Sustainability in the office

Read More

Happy Halloween 2021

Read More

Pay Equality

Read More

Remembering 9/11

Read More

Back in the office

Read More

Climate Change

Read More

Summer Time 2021

Read More

Coming back to the office

Read More

The Covid Pandemic -How are you doing one year later?

Read More

Furnish Your Home Office

Read More

Spring Cleaning

Read More

World Cancer Day 2021

Read More

Lockdown 3.0

Read More

New Year New You

Read More

Our Christmas Blog

Read More

Happy Thanks Giving

Read More

World Hello Day

Read More

Creating Your Work Space Haven

Read More

Winter is coming

Read More

Our Ballymount Shop

Read More

Happy Halloween

Read More

History of Clock Changing

Read More

World Artists Day

Read More

World Authors Day

Read More

October is Fire Prevention Month

Read More

How to occupy your children during the coming weeks

Read More

Working from home during the Corona Virus

Read More

The Corona Virus and how you can prepare for it

Read More

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020

Read More

International Mother Language Day

Read More

Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship

Read More

SEARCH ×