Carving a greener path in addressing pumpkin waste in Ireland

The jack-o-lantern practice originated with the story of Stingy Jack, a character in Irish mythology who tricked the Devil and was condemned to roam the earth with only a carved-out turnip to light his way

Pumpkins on display in October at Cork Rooftop Farm, 6/7 Cornmarket Street Cork. Pictures: Michelle McKeown

The tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns during Halloween in Ireland dates back centuries, rooted in Celtic folklore. The earliest versions of these lanterns weren’t made from pumpkins, but rather from turnips and other root vegetables. The practice originated with the story of Stingy Jack, a character in Irish mythology who tricked the Devil and was condemned to roam the earth with only a carved-out turnip to light his way. When Irish immigrants brought the tradition to the United States in the 19th century they found that pumpkins were easier to carve and more visually striking, thus sparking a transformation in the ritual.

Today, pumpkins have firmly established themselves as the symbol of Halloween in Ireland, with the ritualistic carving and display of jack-o’-lanterns illuminating doorsteps across our island.