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→Classical times
=== Classical times ===
=== Classical times ===
The Welsh observe ''Calan Gaeaf'' on November 1. This name 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 Julian dates for Celtic winter and summer may reflect earlier British practice.
The Irish converted to the Julian calendar around AD 450.<ref name="Olmsted"/> But the Britons, ancestors of the Welsh, did so several centuries earlier. So the Julian dates for Celtic winter and summer may reflect earlier British practice. The Welsh observe ''Calan Gaeaf'' on November 1. This name refers to the first day of winter.
Early Welsh literature ascribes no importance to November 1, at least not compared to ''Calan Haf'' (May 1).<ref name="Morgan"/> This suggests that Samhain gained prominence in Ireland sometime after Irish culture and language split off from that of the Britons. The linguistic split became noticeable in the sixth century.
Early Welsh literature ascribes no importance to November 1, at least not compared to ''Calan Haf'' (May 1).<ref name="Morgan"/> This suggests that Samhain gained prominence in Ireland sometime after Irish culture and language split off from that of the Britons. The linguistic split became noticeable in the sixth century.