Samhain to Halloween – Ideas On Tap (Lectures In Pubs)

From ancient Celtic rituals to modern Halloween, discover the strange and fascinating history of Samhain.

Explore the mythology, supernatural beliefs, bonfires, fortune-telling, turnip lanterns and traditions that shaped Halloween — and follow their journey from Ireland to the wider world. A spooky, surprising look at how an ancient festival of the dead became the Halloween we know today.Something different to do in Ireland?

Come spend an evening in the pub listening to fascinating talks, meeting interesting people, and diving into ideas you probably won’t hear anywhere else.

Every event features a different speaker and theme, covering everything from science, history, psychology, philosophy, politics, film, Irish culture, and bizarre internet rabbit holes to cinema breakdowns, existential questions, and strange moments from history.

One night could be about history, cult movies, or the psychology of personality. Another could explore black holes, political movements, philosophy, true crime, science fiction, or the weird side of human behaviour.

After each talk there’s a live Q&A, drinks, conversation, and a chance to meet new people who are curious about the world and up for a good night out that’s a little different from the usual pub routine.