Halloween Limericks are a Funny (and Spooky) Way to Express Your Irish Side!

Halloween Limericks are proof that there is an Irish limerick for any fun occasion!  In fact, one cool way to celebrate All Hallows Eve is to have a contest to see who can make up the spookiest limerick!  More on that later.

In the meantime, did you know that many of the traditions associated with Halloween originate from ancient Celtic customs? 

Pagan Celts believed the night they called Samhain was a night when spirits could come back and move among the living. People wore masks and costumes to ward off the evil ones.

At your next Halloween party, you might tell your guests know some of the ancient stories and traditions of Halloween.

Then, just when your frightened guests start to head for the door - lighten the mood with one of these funny (and spooky) Halloween limericks!

Halloween Limericks:  A Few Basics

Bonfires were a big part of Halloween to scare off evil spirits, and in the 19th century in Ireland, young men went around houses on the day collecting materials for the bonfires.

This is one of the origins of the 'trick or treat' tradition.

Carved pumpkins also stem from Celtic practices. Those who had to journey at night on Halloween carved turnips to use as lanterns.

The idea was that evil spirits would be frightened by the menacing face. Today, Halloween is a time for some fun, especially for the children.

One good way to get the kids involved and laughing, while at the same time encouraging them to use their imaginations, is to have them create their own Halloween limerick. 

Read out a few limericks so they get the idea. Then maybe ask them to fill in the last line with their own suggestions. Or get them to fill in lines three and four.

The suggestions you get are likely to range from the brilliant to the ridiculous, but that all adds to the fun.

Spooky Halloween Limericks

Right up to the middle of the 20th century, Irish people as a whole were very religious, and very superstitious.

A large number of folks, especially those living in rural areas, really believed in fairies, ghosts, and banshees.

Halloween was a time of year that genuinely scared them, so you have to dig deep to find much humor associated with Halloween.

Fear and mystery are the predominant themes of Halloween rhymes and limericks.

The following two limericks will give you an idea of the superstitions and fears associated with Halloween. The second one is slightly more tongue in cheek.

A young couple set out from Skibereen
Despite warnings it was Halloween
As they walked into the night
Everyone knew 'twas not right
And they never again have been seen

A plucky young lad from Trim
Swore Halloween held no fear for him
He strode bravely away
When they found him next day
There was nothing left but a limb

Humorous Halloween Limericks

In the modern world, the only scares people get at Halloween are from others playing pranks on them, like exploding bangers behind them. These experiences can be funny for everybody else, but less amusing for the victim.

This limerick is a bit more humorous, although it still has an element of fear about it.

A young lady went out Halloween
Not sure if she was a king or a queen
She got such a fright
On that terrible night
Now she's betwixt and between

This one pokes fun at the unfortunate victim of a prank:

A young man from Ballyjamesduff
One Halloween got into a huff
When a bang on the street
Made him lose his false teeth
And now he only eats soft stuff

Modern Halloween Limericks

As the Irish and Scottish emigrated in large numbers to America, they brought their Halloween customs and traditions with them.

These customs and traditions gradually spread to other communities, becoming the nationwide phenomenon we see today.

To finish off, we include a couple of the more modern limericks with an American touch to them.

A Halloween bash in my street
was a night that will never repeat
the spirits that come
were tequila and rum
and I ended up drunk on my feet.

How to scare kids away in the night
Want to give them a really big fright?
Go hide in the closet
They'll leave a deposit
When the boogieman busts out tonight.

That Was Fun!  What's Next?

Limericks are an essential part of Irish culture and heritage. You can share them during special occasions, to celebrate Irish culture and express your personal Irish side!

Feel free to continue your exploration of this unique poetic style in our section on Irish limericks here.

And for even more information of this type, you may want to pay a visit to our main section on Irish Sayings here!

Your Most Personal Irish Expression

One way to share your love of Ireland is by displaying your family coat of arms (family crest).  A very personal symbol of the stories and accomplishments of your ancestors can adorn clothing, kitchenware, wall art, personal accessories and so much more. 

Want to have a look?  Our friends at House of Names can help! 

Tap the button below and see your family crest for free!

A Note from Bruce

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