About Oie Houney
2026 News!
What is Oie Houney?
What is Oie Houney?
We are proud to announce that we will be celebrating Oie Houney in Douglas this year and can't wait to share more information with you as and when we have full details!! Keep early evening of 24th October free!
What is Oie Houney?
What is Oie Houney?
What is Oie Houney?
Oie Houney (pronounced ee how-nuh), means "November Eve" in Manx Gaelic and is the traditional Manx name for Samhain—the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
Traditionally celebrated on October 31st, it is widely considered the Isle of Man's original New Year's Eve and forms the foundation f
Oie Houney (pronounced ee how-nuh), means "November Eve" in Manx Gaelic and is the traditional Manx name for Samhain—the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
Traditionally celebrated on October 31st, it is widely considered the Isle of Man's original New Year's Eve and forms the foundation for the island's unique celebrations known as Hop-tu-Naa.
This year we celebrate Oie Houney 1 week early on 24th October - save the date!
Get Involved!
What is Oie Houney?
To volunteer with us, you can sign up to become a member, which allows you to join the main Oie Houney and Oie Voaldyn shows as a costumed performer, support crew or torchbearer, and gets you discounts on merach and local businesses.
To find out more about membership, click the Membership button!
The traditions & customs at Oie Houney & Hop Tu Naa
The traditions & customs at Oie Houney & Hop Tu Naa
Soddag Valloo (Dumb Cake)
Mix together a cake made of flour and eggs, and also add in things like eggshells and soot etc. After this foul mixture is baked, eat it and then retire to bed without speaking a word (hence the name of the cake). In your dream, you should then see the person who you are destined to marry.
Soddag Valloo (Dumb Cake)
Mix together a cake made of flour and eggs, and also add in things like eggshells and soot etc. After this foul mixture is baked, eat it and then retire to bed without speaking a word (hence the name of the cake). In your dream, you should then see the person who you are destined to marry.
The stolen salt herring
Firstly, go and steal a salt herring from a neighbour’s house. This should be done in the dark, without them knowing. Roast it in its own brine and then eat all of it – even the skin and bones. Do this in silence and don’t drink any water. At midnight, retire to bed backwards and undress in the dark. Your dreams will reveal your future spouse.
A mouth of water and a pinch of salt
Fill your mouth with water, hold a pinch of salt in each hand, and go and secretly go to listen in on your neighbours. The first name mentioned in their conversation will be that of the person you will come to marry.
Nuts in the grate
Put some nuts in the fire and name them with the names of yourself and the people you’re romantically interested in. If a nut cracks or jumps, then you are not destined to be with that person. But if your nut burns peacefully together with another, then you will be married.
Throwing a ball of wool
At midnight, take a ball of wool secretly to the barn. Twist the end of the yarn around your wrist and throw the ball as far as you can into the darkness. Wind it back in and if you find it held in the darkness, call out: ‘Who is holding the thread?’ You will then hear the name of the person you will one day marry.
Sponsor Us!
The traditions & customs at Oie Houney & Hop Tu Naa
Sponsor Us!
We are always on the lookout for new sponsors to help us fund this fantastic event, which is run by volunteers as a non-profit organisation.
Further details will be released in respect of the sponsorship options for this years festival. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us on info@oiehouney.com