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Quiz about Halloween in Ireland
Quiz about Halloween in Ireland

Halloween in Ireland Trivia Quiz


A wee quiz about the traditions of Halloween in Ireland. No witches or warlocks allowed in FunTrivia land!

A multiple-choice quiz by habitsowner. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
habitsowner
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
346,029
Updated
May 12 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
719
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. What did the Celts originally call the festival we now know as Halloween? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. In which century did the Catholic Church start to honor the various saints who didn't have their own day already on the calendar, by acknowledging them on November 1, All Hallow's Day, also known as "All Saints' Day"? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What is the traditional dish eaten in Ireland on Halloween? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What is the traditional cake eaten in Ireland on Halloween? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What vegetable was originally used in Ireland to hold the light, before pumpkins became more popular? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The Celts wore costumes on their Samhain, too. What did the costumes that they wore depict? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. One of the most popular games at an Irish Halloween party is trying, while blindfolded, to get a bite of a piece of food that's hanging on a string from the ceiling. The first one to get a decent bite out of it gets to keep it, and eat it all. What is the food hanging from the ceiling? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Halloween is always better if one can have an outdoor bonfire. However, many of us don't have the proper places to do so, so we'll use a fireplace instead. What does Irish tradition require you put in the embers of the fire? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Fairies and goblins try to collect as many people on Halloween as they can, so (according to Irish tradition) what should you do if you see one in order to protect yourself as well as to help others? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. It's late, so there is just one thing left for Irish people to do this Halloween and that is to check on their animals to ensure that they are in good health. What would you do to them if you saw one that didn't look very well? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What did the Celts originally call the festival we now know as Halloween?

Answer: Samhain

They called it The Feast of the Dead, when those who had passed on came back and visited this world. It was the line between the Summer and the Winter months, when most things had been harvested.
2. In which century did the Catholic Church start to honor the various saints who didn't have their own day already on the calendar, by acknowledging them on November 1, All Hallow's Day, also known as "All Saints' Day"?

Answer: Eighth century

Since October 31 was the day before All Hallow's Day, the night of October 31 had to be All Hallow's Eve, which in time became contracted to Halloween. The current date of All Saints' Day (All Hallow's Day) was founded by Pope Gregory, 731 to 741 AD.
3. What is the traditional dish eaten in Ireland on Halloween?

Answer: Colcannon

Colcannon is a dish of mashed potatoes mixed with kale, and served with raw onions. Often boiled ham or Irish bacon will come with the dish. Kale comes into season in late fall and winter, so it's an ideal vegetable to have on Halloween.
4. What is the traditional cake eaten in Ireland on Halloween?

Answer: Barmbrack Cake

Barmbrack cake is really a fruit bread, in which three "treasures" are baked. Everyone gets a piece of the cake. One lucky person gets a piece with a ring in it, denoting pending romance or continued happiness. Another gets a piece with a coin in it and can look forward to a prosperous year.

The last one, who gets a piece of rag, is not so lucky. His (or her!) financial picture ahead is "doubtful".
5. What vegetable was originally used in Ireland to hold the light, before pumpkins became more popular?

Answer: Turnips

According to the tale, Jack, an Irish blacksmith, made a pact with the Devil and therefore he was denied entry to Heaven. He was left to wander for eternity. When he asked for some light, he was given an ember which he put into a turnip he had hollowed out. Thus, the Irish kept one in their window to keep this damned soul, the Wandering Jack, out of their house.

When the Irish immigrated to America, pumpkins were far easier to find than were turnips, so they were used instead.
6. The Celts wore costumes on their Samhain, too. What did the costumes that they wore depict?

Answer: Spirits and devils

Since at Samhain the living and the dead were nearer to each other than at any other time in the year, the living were afraid that they might be carried away by the dead unless they disguised themselves to look like the dead looked. Or as they suspected the returning dead would look. That's why witches, goblins, ghosts and devils are the most popular costumes nowdays. Much the same as then.
7. One of the most popular games at an Irish Halloween party is trying, while blindfolded, to get a bite of a piece of food that's hanging on a string from the ceiling. The first one to get a decent bite out of it gets to keep it, and eat it all. What is the food hanging from the ceiling?

Answer: Apple

In Ireland, that game is called "Snap Apple". Virtually the same game can be played by putting apples in a container of water and trying to get them out without using one's hands. That's called, in the US, "Bobbing for Apples".
8. Halloween is always better if one can have an outdoor bonfire. However, many of us don't have the proper places to do so, so we'll use a fireplace instead. What does Irish tradition require you put in the embers of the fire?

Answer: A piece of hair

The idea is that after you do this, you go to sleep and you will dream of who your future spouse will be. The bonfire was one of the Celtic "fire" celebrations. (I assume only unmarried people do this...)
9. Fairies and goblins try to collect as many people on Halloween as they can, so (according to Irish tradition) what should you do if you see one in order to protect yourself as well as to help others?

Answer: Throw dust at them

The Irish tradition says if you throw the dust from under your feet at the fairies and goblins that they will have to let loose all the souls that they had captured. So you'd be a real hero.
10. It's late, so there is just one thing left for Irish people to do this Halloween and that is to check on their animals to ensure that they are in good health. What would you do to them if you saw one that didn't look very well?

Answer: Spit on him

Now this tradition seems to have to do with farm animals, so I don't know whether or not you need to do it to your dog or cat. Perhaps you'd best roust your veterinarian out of bed so he can take a look. Holy water was often used on the animals, too, but that may be something of which you are presently out.
Source: Author habitsowner

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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