The Irish New Year festival is known as Samhain . It falls on 31 st of October as it meant the end of summer. The General Assembly of Ireland is also organized during this time.
Hence there is renewal of laws and recording of events like details of birth, death and marriages. Whatever it may be New Year celebrations in Ireland is full of traditions and superstitions. Most of the New Year Traditions in Ireland are meant to bring in good luck to the people. The early Irish folks believed that the spirits of the dead returned to earth on New Year Eve night . The Celtic priests used to offer mistletoe branches to people to protect them from any harm.
Irish spinsters used to keep sprigs of mistletoe, holly and ivy leaves under their pillows so that they would get a dream of their future husbands.
Bonfires and firecrackers were lit on New Year's Eve to chase away evil forces. At midnight there is tradition to enter the house from the front door and exit from the back door for good luck.
Distinct among the various new Year traditions in Ireland was to take a large piece of Christmas bread or cake outside the house and hammer it against the closed doors and windows. This was practiced to drive out any misfortune and let happiness in.
There is a superstition that if the wind blows in the west direction it would indicate the trend of politics in the ensuing year. If the wind blew from the west there is chance to prosper, if it blew from the east the English would rule.
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