Samhain: The Roots of Halloween
The Halloween bonfire can be traced all the way back to the ancient festival at Tara, held every Samhain. All fires were extinguished all over Ireland before the sunset. The sacred fire was supposedly lit by the Druids at Tlachtga and brought to Tara where the king, nobility and Druids presided over the lighting of the fire. After the Tara fire was lit, fires were lit all over the country symbolising the offering of warmth and protection through the dark months of the year, at its entry point.
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