History Of Samhain

Sit back and enjoy the... History Of Halloween 

IT'S HALLOWEEN!!!! - Halloween is and always has been my favourite day of the year.
 For most people Halloween is a day/night of mischief and blaguarding but for me It's so much more. It's a day of History for me, not boring history that I don't like, but proper decent history on what has to be the most magical day of the year, a day when the dead can walk amongst the living a day filled of hocus pocus and not to mention a day of sweets!!!!!! Since I was a young child Halloween has always had some effect on me and not many people understand why we even celebrate this weird day, well in the most dummy proof way I'm about to tell you the brief story behind Samhain *cue the spooky music*

Halloween began in Celtic Ireland BC, and Halloween back then was called 'Samhain', this was a celtic celebration for summer's end. Halloween, which was held on November 1st was the one day a year where the season of life met the season of death and spirits could rise from their graves and walk amongst the living. 

As expected this would be a scary day for the celts so what did they do?
 They used to dress up, in costumes and wear masks as to confuse and rebel against the spirits the lit huge roaring bonfires in hope to scare away the spirits, which is of course where the tradition of dressing up and lighting bonfires comes from.

 Over time the name 'Samhain' was changed to 'All Hallows Eve' the night before 'All Hallows day' a day to honour all saints on November 1st and from there it was a short walk to the name we all know today..

HALLOWEEN. 

It was during the Irish potato famine in 1800's when thousands of starving Irish fled to America that they brought their weird customs with them. This was where Halloween began to change. Halloween became a night for mischief. Young pranksters began to unhinge gates, eventually the elderly who were fed up with these blaguards decided to hold a parties for them to keep them entertained and out of trouble which is in fact where Halloween parties came from...all making sense now? ;) 
 And if you're like me and are hosting a party tonight there's this brilliant party game app I've found which you need to check out here:

Now, the Jack O'Lanterns.. this is one of my favorite parts of history, I'm obsessed with pumpkins!!! And once again, it began in Ireland. Pumpkins weren't always used to make Jack O'Lanterns, they started out using turnips. Irish legends tell the tale of a mean and stingy man named Jack. He was such an evil man that he tried to trick the devil, in the end he was so horrible that even the devil turned him away into the night only allowing Jack to carry a hollowed out turnip with a candle in it for light. Yet again as the Irish folklore was dragged across the Atlantic pumpkins were used to replace turnips and still to this day it's not Halloween without a Jack O'Lantern. 

And so the Halloween history continues, the origins of Trick Or Treating (Going on the boogie) are simple. It began when the poorest of people would go from door to door begging for food, they would be given small cakes called Soul Cakes (Smaller versions of the Bairin Breac we eat today) and in return they would pray for the dead relatives of the people. 

 And there you have it, the summed up history of Halloween.. it's seriously impressive isn't it? the history of Halloween is something which I could talk about forever and I hope it's cleared up why we're celebrating today for you!!

Happy Halloween Everyone :) 

Top Three Things To Make This Halloween

Halloween is my favourite day of the year, I love it and every Halloween I go to town on the decorations and treats and this year is no different as I've officially began my Halloween prep. Every year I make a few essentials that look great but are so easy to create, things like popcorn hands, a pumpkin cake and the trusty ghostly buns, three things that take pride of place in my kitchen during the Halloween season and I've decided to share my favourite recipes with you!! 

1. Ghostly Cupcakes - These things are my favourite and they couldn't be easier to make, I mean trust me they are the easiest thing in the world to make and look how impressive looking they are?!  All you need to make these buns is white ready to roll icing, a package of cupcakes (or you can make them yourself) and a package of chocolate chips. You simply remove the paper casing on the cupcake, roll out a piece of ready to roll icing and place on top of the cupcake. Then finish off with two chocolate chips for eyes and you're done - Amazing, I know!!

2. Horredible Hands - These are the most talked about things I have in my house on Halloween and trust me when I say they are IMPRESSIVE!!!
 All you need for these is smarties, or jelly beans, or anything similar, clear plastic gloves and popcorn. I've been making these hands all my life and they're something I'll be making with my children in the future too.
 All you do is pick out 5 smarties (or whatever you're using) in the same colour and place one smartie in each finger of the plastic glove.You then fill up the glove with popcorn and tie them at the top.. it's that easy!! I admit it can be quite time consuming and slightly frustrating trying to get the popcorn into the fingers but it's so worth the struggle, and trick or treaters love them!!!

3. Pumpkin Cake - This is the showstopper!! My pumpkin cake!! And yes okay, this is hard to do but so worth it!!
 To make this cake though you will need a pumpkin shaped tray, I bought mine in Lidl for €3.99 a few years ago and the tin itself isn't very deep so I tend to make a round basic sponge cake and then place the pumpkin one on top...that's the easy part!!
 Then you also need some ready to roll icing in orange, black and green. Roll out the orange so it's large enough to cover the entire cake and make sure it's smoothed out, I'd recommend getting someone else to help with this part too. I use a rolling pin then too ensure it's smooth all over. When it comes to the shape of the pumpkin face I use the tray as an outline and cut the shape of the face out in the black icing. Then finally roll out a piece of green icing for the stalk and you're done and dusted.
A bit of a process I know but look how great it is?!!

And there you have it, three basic things I love to make coming up to Halloween, I hope it's inspired you to get into the kitchen and try a couple of these things, and if you require any more assistance then let me know.

Happy Halloween!!

#GirlsWithInk

 I DONE IT!! To the disgust of my mother and uncle I bit the bullet and got my first ever tattoo, and boy was it painful... no like I actually mean like it was very, VERY sore!! I don't care what anyone says it was sore!!

It was on my lifelong bucket list, and one of the top things on my Carlow F*ck it list so I put pedal to the floor two weeks ago and went about getting my ink. I know what you're thinking... that's only tiny but for me it might as well be a full sleeve!! My biggest phobia is needles, I hate the things!! Sixth year in school getting a needle I would cry, pass out, bring a teddy, and had to have a first year hold my hand so for me Lynda Hennebry, to book a tattoo and actually go get it...well, let me tell you.. it was 'one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind' .. hahahahahahaha get it?! ;) -Neil Armstrong, the astronaut... Oh I craic myself up!!

Anyway, I booked my tattoo from Jim Farrell in Carlow town after recommendations from my friend for

Thursday and when the day finally arrived I brought along my housemate Jennie and friend Emma for 'moral support', aka to squeeze when it got too sore for me to cope!! (Shoutout to Jennie for allowing me to almost break her hand.)
 As I've mentioned before on my blog I am obsessed with the moon, it's one thing in this world that I am so obsessed with and I have no idea why, well I do, I've loads of reasons why which I did actually talk about before here:  but basically I just love the moon, it's my thing okay and we all have a thing so I personally love my tattoo ..even though it's on the back of my neck so I can't really see it!!

Going into the tattoo shop was one of the scariest things I had ever done, I dunno even the smell like it smelt like tattoos ..that make sense? I dunno but trust me there's this smell off tattoos so I got prepped and sat down ready to get my ink. When it usually comes to these type of things I'm very much 'no wait, no stop I'm not ready, hang on gimme a minute' but this time I just left Jim go straight ahead.
Jim was such a lovely man, really really understanding of my fear and even though it would only take him two minutes he was really willing to take time and make sure I stayed calm and relaxed which was so reassuring.
 When it was time to begin I heard the buzz (which is the most awful noise in the world.. it really is) and felt my skin buzzing so surely this was it, what are people talking about this isn't sore? what the hell I'm going to get a sleevvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv SH*T the needle went in and this wasn't the best feeling in the world, I hated it. Think thousands of bee stings in one place, it really, really wasn't pleasant but after two minutes I was done and on my way, the whole thing, in and out lasted seven minutes.. I know, SEVEN!!!! and I had something on me that would last a lifetime and I love it :)

Jennie Byrne

Miss Jennie Byrne 

It's not often I get to write posts like this and first of all I would like to point out I had no intention of doing it however on the request of my housemate I decided the time has come to dedicate an entire post to her and fill you in on everything that describes her in a few points...
 Basically Jennie Byrne is a twenty year old media and PR student from Dublin who has recently been graced to live with me.. I know, lucky her!!
 So here she is, Jennie Byrne in bullet point form.

• She snorts.
• She overuses the word fantastic, everything is 'fantastic'.
• She sings too much and when I say sings, I mean SCREAMS!!!!
• She likes mainstream music.
• She's posh.
• She's aggressive.
• She drinks milk from the carton.. sick!! 
• She introduced me to oranges, and now I am obsessed. 
• She makes me tea in the morning. 
• She gives the best cuddles in the world. 
• She makes the best fry in the world. (Those rashers though). 
• She comes with me to get tattoos.
• She held my hand and left me squeeze it when my tattoo got too painful. 
• She always cheers me up when I'm sad. 
• She sounds horse all the time.  
• She monitors my vodka so I don't get too drunk when we're going out.
• She drives us to Tesco to get drink and buys it when I don't have ID. 
• She always puts cream on my tattoo, morning, noon and night. 
• She brings us spinning around the Carlow countryside.

She is genuinely one of a kind and I don't even like her. 

Movie Review - The Martian

There's nothing I love more than the cinema so when I went to the cinema to see 'The Visit' and saw an advert for 'The Martian' I knew this was a film I was going to be watching, and last week I headed to the cinema to watch Matt Damon in action and let me tell you, I was not disappointed.
 Well I suppose what did I expect? A movie about space, Matt Damon... my expectations were high and it was without a doubt one of the best movies I have ever seen, as in up there with 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' so for me to say that you can guarantee it's amazing!!

The story of this film is basically a space mission to Mars that goes terribly wrong when astronaut Mark Watney gets left behind after a frequent storm. He has four years to wait for another manned mission to reach him so he basically has to survive on a planet, where nothing grows, by himself and as he so well put it 'science the shit out of it'.
 I know what you're thinking? a science film?! - Eh, no thanks!! But trust me this film is one of the best movies I have ever seen, especially in 3D! I almost felt like I was in space myself, it was incredible.

When Watney's crew mates here he's still alive they decide to risk all and return to rescue their crew member which doesn't look great for either the crew or Mark. The film had me laughing, crying, smiling and continuous pussy bawling!!
 If I could recommend anyone to go to the movie it would be to go see the Martian. Seriously... GO SEE THE MARTIAN!!!!!!!

The Carlow Clann

So as most of you know I'm in college in Carlow studying media and PR and since I'm now there over a month I've decided that the time has finally come to introduce you to the PR girls and the whole Carlow fam. When I first moved up there I could never have imagined how much these people would mean to me but four/five weeks on they've come unbelievably important and made it onto the very short list of people I actually like... I joke, I joke!! but in all seriousness, they're great people and I can't wait to introduce you to the gang. 

1. Anzie aka Annie Dempsey:  Annie is without a doubt one of the most interesting, beautiful people I have ever met along with her gorgeous baby boy Tommy. A fellow PR girl, Annie is someone I could listen to forever and I'm so grateful I have her in my life. For as long as I live I'll always remember some of the first words Annie ever said to me that Monday night out in Tully's 'COMPOSE YOURSELF' 'COMPOSE' something I'll take with me to the grave. Not only this but she's also the best cook you'll ever meet, one of the best nights in Carlow was last Tuesday when she brought myself and my two housemates out to her house and cooked us dinner and had the greatest time ever. 

Not only is she an amazing friend, she's a fantastic mammy and an inspiration to me!! Absolutely love Annie Mac!! 

2. Emma Hall: Another member of the PR gurls Emma is without a doubt one of the nicest girls ever and everything she says makes me giggle, not only because she's funny but because of that Gourey accent. Emma and Annie are my partners in media which means we do presentations together so with them two by my side I feel like I can do anything, as well as that I also had her by my side to help me through my tattoo. Emma is one of my fave college people even with her weird words like 'may' and 'quare' ... those Wexford people are as odd. Emma is a true sweetheart and I love spending time with her!! 

3. Aisling Phelan:Aisling, Aisling,Aisling, yet another PR gurl and one of the nicest, friendliest, prettiest people I've met since arriving in Carlow and love to bits!! Born and raised in Carlow Aisling is the handiest person for getting all the goss and tellin us the whereabouts. She's A1 and a serious member of the PR squad. Like Emma though she has those weird ways 'you may tell him that' .. May I Aisling?.. May I?!?!- So weird?!!! Love Ashy P!!

4. Tanya Coogan:My absolute best friend in Carlow, I love this little model so much!! Tanya was one of the first people I met in Carlow IT and from that very minute I've loved Tanya more and more everyday!! From her love of aggressive rap music to wine and prosecco she gets even better when she lipsticks you in the Foundry on nights out.. I know, perfect or what?!! 

 On our first night out in Carlow (well second) Tanya arrived to our house with a bottle of prosecco and from that minute I knew I loved this girl too much, even with her road rage!! 

 5. Darragh Nash and Charlie Mcgarry: The neighbours. Charlie and Darragh were two of the first people we met in Carraig Abhainn and thank flip for our sake we did as they quickly became our best friends and I love them to bits... okay, even Darragh I suppose!! (Don't tell him that) In the first month we lived there these two have made serious impressions on my life even something as simple as bowling with the lads is one of the best parts of college life.. they're the best. 

6. The housemates:Finally saving the best until last Jennie Byrne and Shannon Bartlett (Bart) the two housemates of number 1 and two of the most important people in my life.

 Bart - Shannon is the one who really keeps us on track and is the person everyone wants to be, she cooks her dinner everyday, she studies, she writes out notes and she gyms!! - I know, perfect or what?! but on top of that she's the kindest person ever and even though she's the messiest person on the planet with the best boyfriend on the planet I love this girl to bits!! 

Jennie - And the other one, listen to this, the other morning Jennie came into my room with a cup of tea for me, then when I went to the kitchen she was cooking breakfast for us... I know???- Can you get a better housemate?!! I love Jennie to bits and even when it's just the two of us alone we have nothing but the best fun and that's what true friendship is. The very first person I met in Carlow and from that very day my love for this girl just got stronger and stronger!!

 I know, blessed with my housemates!!

And so you have it, the Carlow family!! 

Of course there's tonnes of others too like Mai, Abby, Erica but this is just the introduction!! I can't help but feel like one of the luckiest people on the planet having made such amazing friends, friends I know for certain that I'll have for the rest of my life.

Oh yes, I love my Carlow family!!

The Best Of Irish Rugby

There's no one in the country of Ireland that doesn't love the Irish rugby team, not only are they the most talented bunch of lads on the planet they're hardworking, determined and the most beautiful men to have ever graced the planet, look don't lie to yourself just give in, nod and agree and if that's not enough they're also a pretty sound bunch of lads..perfect, I know.

 Since the Rugby World Cup (RWC) is in full swing, and trust me I love the RWC I've decided there's no better time to talk you through the best the Irish rugby team has to offer... I know girls, you're welcome ;)

1. Jordi Murphy: 

What can one say about Jordi Murphy except for the fact he's number 1 on the list. He's from Spain, he has the best eyes ever and he's unbelievably sound (I'd know, I've met him in real life ;)) what could be better?!! (He plays for Munster yeah I know) but Jordi Murphy...YES!! 

2. Robbie Henshaw:

Robbie Henshaw, a man dripping in swag and I am in love!! I first saw Robbie at the Irish rugby open training session this August and he was gorgeous!! Definitely up there with the best the squad has to offer, wouldn't you agree??

3. Conor Murray: 

Agh look I'm a sucker when it comes to Conor Murray so it goes without saying he's pride of place on the list. Conor is the reason I fell in love with rugby going way back to the 2010 RWC and is one of my favourite people on the planet I love this man so this Munster hunk is without a doubt (in my opinion) the BEST the Irish rugby team has to offer and I personally don't think there's many out there who would disagree.

4. Dave Foley:

Not only is he a Munster man, he's more importantly a Tipp man and although he's yet to gain his first cap in the RWC Foley is one of the main lookers in the Irish squad and the closest thing Ireland has to Calvin Harris!! 

5. Tommy Bowe: 

It's the obvious one isn't it?! Mr Bowe, the Irish heartthrob. What would the list be without him?? There's not much to say really about Tommy Bowe other than just look at him.... *drools* 

6. Ian Madigan: 

Oh he's a looker alright isn't he..no he's not he's GORGEOUS!!!! UNREAL!!! FANTASTIC!!! He's incredible and up there on the best the squad has to offer..aw he's unreal isn't he!!!..That hair though..

7. Sean O'Brien: 

I live in Carlow now so it goes without saying the Tullow hunk is on the list (I wouldn't want to disappoint the Carlow girls now would I) that and of course he is gorgeous!!

8. Craig Gilroy: 

This Ulster man is unbelievable and such a lovely, kind man. I met Craig after a match last year and he couldn't have been nicer so from then on I was in love with him and as time went on nothing changed and for that reason (and his drop dead gorgeous looks) he's on the list of the best things the Irish rugby team has to offer. 

9. Peter O'Mahony: 

Back to Munster now and the manliest man you'll ever meet. There's no man more a man than Peter O'Mahony. When watching a rugby match there's no one so dedicated to a game than POM and the determination and aggression this man puts into a match makes me worship him!! And yeah, yeah.. he's okay on the eyes!!

10. Jamie Heaslip:

And finally Jamie Heaslip!!

I've always had a bit of a thing for Jamie Heaslip, such a man!! Such a man but my obsession developed with him after I met him this August. He was one of the nicest men I'd ever met and even better looking in person...wozers!!! Such a babe!!

So there you have it ten of the best men the Irish rugby squad have to offer... Oh you can't deny we do have the best looking rugby team in the world... blessed, blessed we are!! 

Top 10 Movies To Watch During October

IT'S OFFICIALLY OCTOBER!!!! which means it's almost my favourite day of the year, Halloween. I'm obsessed with Halloween and woke up this morning finding myself counting down the days until I can pull out the decorations and decorate the house. 

Halloween is a time for fun and of course scaring yourself silly, here are my top ten movies that you need to watch during the month of October. 

1. Hocus Pocus:

We can't begin the countdown without starting it with Hocus Pocus. One of my all time favourite movies and an essential watch 5,000 times over October. Incase you live under a rock, Hocus Pocus is a 'spooky' comedy about 'The Sanderson' sisters as they come back from the dead to hunt for all the children of Salem. It'll have you howling with laugher and it's an essential part of Halloween.  You can watch the trailer here: 

2. Ouija:  

I'm a bit weird but last year I developed a slight obsession with ouija boards, and although I would never personally do one when I heard there was a film about it I knew I had to watch it, so I gathered the troops and although we lost two throughout the film (the 'men' I might add) I loved the film and why not be terrified over Halloween??? You can watch the trailer for Ouija here: 

 3.The Adam Family Values:  

I am obsessed with the Adam's family and always have been so it came as a mega shock to me when one of my best friends had never heard of them. Actually, shocked wasn't the word more disgusted!! None the less, this Halloween I'll be forcing her to watch the movie with me. There's absolutely no better way than to get into the Halloween spirit than to relax and have a giggle with the Adam's family. Such an odd family but I love them, you can check out the trailer here: 

4.Halloween Town: 

It's the definition of Halloween and if you don't watch this over the Halloween season then there is something wrong with you. Okay so it won't make you quiver in your boots but Halloween is all about fun and this is nothing but a fun movie (plus you can watch it by yourself and not be terrified) watch the trailer here: 

5. Chernobyl Diaries: 

I've only seen this film once, and that one time was enough for me but trust me if you want a scare then this is the movie for you. It follows a group of friends who go on an extreme holiday to Chernobyl and end up getting trapped there. 

I will be the first to admit I personally almost lost my life watching this movie and if you want the scare then this is a movie for you. If you're feeling brave you can watch the trailer here: 

6. The Strangers: 

The strangers was one of the first horror film I saw that I actually enjoyed and I've seen it at least a good fifteen times at this stage and trust me, it is fantastic!! It's creepy, scary, horrible, and yer man is a babe.. trust me, if you want a decent spook this Halloween then this is the film for you.
It's a story surrounding a couple who get harassed by three murderers in the most awful masks you will ever see, this film will legit have you on the side of your seat. Check out the trailer here: 

7. The Visit :

The Visit is quite a new movie out having just been released this year but trust me, if you want a scare you need to see this movie. I recently went to see this in the cinema and wrote a review which you can read here. The film had me screaming and almost in tears and in tears from laughing it was such a great movie and trust me, you'll never guess what's coming next with it's shocking explosion towards the end.. I won't ruin it for you don't worry but just go watch it ;) 

8. Twitches :

Regardless as to whether it's October or not, one of my all time favourite movie is Twitches, a Disney film but brings me back to my childhood and always puts the biggest smile on my face. It wouldn't be Halloween without twitches and my favourite song from Twitches (Aly and AJ - The Rush) (which is played from October 1st on repeat until November 1st) but this film, which okay won't scare the bejaysus out of you is an October essential,it's the story of twin witches (twitches..get it) who discover they're witches and have to help defeat the darkness in a magic land far away with the help of their guiders..look the more I explain it the more you'll judge me, just Twitches.... it's a must!! Watch the trailer here:  and then of course there's always Twitches 2 ;) 

9. Jessable:

Jessabelle.. Jessabelle..Jessabelle..Jessabelle... where do I begin with Jessabelle? In extra vision one night trying to find a film to watch with the troops when we stumbled upon Jessabelle, none of us had ever heard of it before so we said we might aswell give it a go and sweet holy Mary mother of God was it scary!! I begged the lads to turn it off at one stage and I could never watch it again but you?.. yeah look go for it.

It's Halloween after all ;) Watch the trailer for this... thing, here:   

10. You're Next: 

And finally You're next, I saw this film once with my best friend and I have to say I think it was one of the best horror films I have ever seen, it was fantastic!! Nothing could prepare you for the shocking moments in this movie and although I only saw it once, I remember so much about it and trust me if you REALLY want a scare that badly, then this movie is for you!!

It's similar to the Strangers where it's more a murder and not so much a horror film but scary as hell!! - Check out the trailer here: 

And there you have it ten movies I recommend you watch over the month of October, I mean what would Halloween be without a few jumps and spooks? ;)