Here’s something to frighten the life out of you – a lantern for Halloween in the traditional fashion, hollowed out of a turnip. On display in the Museum of Country Life, Turlough House, Mayo.

Turnip lamp, Museum of Country Life, Co. Mayo

The door’s on the latch
The turf burns red
Turn low the lamp
And go to bed.

For on this night
Them that’s away
Could be back again
Out of the clay.

They’ll come in the dark
To the warm turf
From the coul’ sod
And the wet surf.

And you in the loft
Can breathe a prayer
For the wakin’ dead
That’s gathered there.

From All Soul’s Night by John O’ The North