The Irish roots of the Halloween Jack O’Lantern on display in Mayo
An original carved lantern dating from around 1850 is on display at the Museum of Country Life in Turlough
As Halloween pumpkins begin glowing on doorsteps around the world, it turns out we have the Irish to thank for this much-loved spooky tradition – although the original Jack O’Lantern looked a lot less like a pumpkin and a lot more like something you might find in the vegetable drawer!
According to Irish folklore, the story begins with a crafty blacksmith known as Stingy Jack, who managed to trick the Devil not once, but several times.
Unfortunately for Jack, his cleverness did not do him much good when he eventually died. Turned away from both Heaven and Hell, he was condemned to wander the earth for eternity.
The Devil reportedly gave him a burning ember from Hell to light his way. Jack placed it inside a hollowed-out turnip, creating a rather unsettling lantern. He became known as “Jack of the Lantern” – eventually shortened to Jack O’Lantern.
Long before Halloween decorations filled shop windows, people across Ireland were carving frightening faces into turnips, mangel wurzels and potatoes, placing candles inside them to ward off wandering spirits and evil influences.
The tradition was associated with Samhain, the ancient Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
But how did we go from terrifying turnips to cheerful, grinning pumpkins?
When Irish emigrants travelled to North America during the 19th century, they brought their Halloween customs with them. There, they discovered that pumpkins were much bigger, softer and easier to carve than the humble Irish turnip.
And so the pumpkin took over, eventually becoming the international Halloween favourite we know today.
But Mayo has a little reminder of the original tradition much closer to home.
An original Jack O’Lantern dating from around 1850 is exhibited at the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park in Castlebar, offering a fascinating glimpse into Halloween traditions from Ireland’s past.
So, as you put the finishing touches to your pumpkin this Halloween, spare a thought for Stingy Jack – and the humble Irish turnip that started it all!