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Samhain may have existed for a some time as a marker for the first day of winter before there was a festival. ''Regula Coenobialis of St Columban'', written in AD 540‐615, is the oldest source to describe November 1 as the first day of winter. The earliest mention of Samhain is found in the ninth century text ''Felire Oengusso.'' It spells the word as "Samain." November 1 was Christianized as All Saints Day in the eighth century.<ref>“Rule 7: … up to the beginning of winter, that is, the first of November.” ''Regula Coenobialis of St Columban''.<br/>“Lonán, Colmán, Cronán with their bright sunny following the hosts of Hilarius suremultitudinous ennoble stormy All‐Saints’ day [Samain].” ''Felire Oengusso.''<br/>See ""[https://www.academia.edu/30803038/The_semantic_shift_of_Samain_from_Summer_to_Winter The semantic shift of Samain from Summer to Winter]" by Bernard Morgan.</ref>

Samhain may have existed for a some time as a marker for the first day of winter before there was a festival. ''Regula Coenobialis of St Columban'', written in AD 540‐615, is the oldest source to describe November 1 as the first day of winter. The earliest mention of Samhain is found in the ninth century text ''Felire Oengusso.'' It spells the word as "Samain." November 1 was Christianized as All Saints Day in the eighth century.<ref>“Rule 7: … up to the beginning of winter, that is, the first of November.” ''Regula Coenobialis of St Columban''.<br/>“Lonán, Colmán, Cronán with their bright sunny following the hosts of Hilarius suremultitudinous ennoble stormy All‐Saints’ day [Samain].” ''Felire Oengusso.''<br/>See ""[https://www.academia.edu/30803038/The_semantic_shift_of_Samain_from_Summer_to_Winter The semantic shift of Samain from Summer to Winter]" by Bernard Morgan.</ref>

The Welsh observe ''Calan Gaeaf'' on November 1. This name is influenced by Latin ''Kalends'' and refers to the first day of winter. The Britons, ancestors of the Welsh, converted to the Julian calendar several centuries before the Irish or Scots did. So the dates for Celtic winter and summer may reflect British practice. But Welsh observance on November 1 is minor compared to that on ''Calan Haf'' (May 1). Since the prominence of Samhain is specific to Ireland, the holiday may have developed significantly after Irish culture and language split off from that of the Britons in the sixth century.

The Welsh observe ''Calan Gaeaf'' on November 1. This name is influenced by Latin ''Kalends'' and refers to the first day of winter. The Britons, ancestors of the Welsh, converted to the Julian calendar several centuries before the Irish did, which was around AD 450. So the dates for Celtic winter and summer may reflect British practice. But Welsh observance on November 1 is minor compared to that on ''Calan Haf'' (May 1). Since the prominence of Samhain is specific to Ireland, the holiday may have developed significantly after Irish culture and language split off from that of the Britons in the sixth century.

== Ulster Cycle ==

== Ulster Cycle ==