Arcadia Ireland

Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland, especially among University students who celebrate the occasion by dressing up in elaborate costumes, going to Halloween parties and modernising pumpkin carving with creative twists.

We in the Dublin Center decided to hold a pumpkin carving competition for all Arcadia students with a prize going to the most impressive carving. However, due to the high standard of entries we felt it necessary to award three prizes.

First place was awarded to Susan Willis, a Dublin Parliamentary Internship student, with a pumpkin inspired by all things Irish. On one side of the pumpkin was a shamrock which is a symbol of Ireland, and on the other was a beautiful Celtic design. Susan added some green and white colouring to the orange pumpkin representing the Irish flag.

The two runners up were Carlee Cantwell, also a Dublin Parliamentary Internship student, and Brianna Jett, a student in Trinity College Dublin. Carlee created an impressive sugar skull carving, while Brianna opted for a (possibly friendly) ghost.

It wasn't just the students who got in the spirit of Halloween. Tom gave the Arcadia staff a demonstration on how to carve a classic pumpkin face which we proudly displayed outside the front door of the office.

We hope everyone thoroughly enjoyed Halloween in Ireland!