What is samhanach?

Samhanach is a traditional Irish festival that marks the transition from autumn to winter, celebrated on November 1st. It is closely associated with the Celtic festival of Samhain, which is considered the precursor to modern Halloween. During Samhanach, people would honor the dead and celebrate the harvest, often engaging in feasting, bonfires, and various rituals to ward off spirits. The festival reflects the deep cultural connections between nature, the changing seasons, and ancestral traditions in Irish folklore.