Horses and humans were sacrificed on October 31st during the earliest Hallowe'en celebrations. For the historical background to Hallowe'en in Ireland, the origins of the Jack O'Lantern and how the Catholic Church absorbed the festival, see www.celestia.com/SRP/ON97/Hallown.htm

Pumpkin pie is traditional for Hallowe'en but what about witches' brew, Doctor Death's rooster soup, graveyard goulash, black widow fizz and hobgoblins' pumpkin pudding? For all these seasonal recipes and more go to www.therightside.demon.co.uk/cooking/hween-menu.htm

This Hallowe'en, you don't need to leave your computer screen to experience ghosts, haunted houses and haunted handwriting. Keep watch, via webcams, for the ghost of the young woman who walks in the Linen Mill in Belfast, the Grey Lady Ghost in Indiana or for UFOs and other paranormal activity in one of the UK's areas for unexplained sightings. At www.earthcam.com/halloween99/hauntcams.html

Stuck for costume ideas for your trick-or-treaters? Or looking for Hallowe'en games? Let your little ghouls play Hallowe'en tic-tac-toe, print spooky colouring pages or learn 101 things to do with a pumpkin. Check out the games, chat and website links at http://kidexchange.about.com/kids/kidexchange/ library/blhallo.htm

Get in the mood with a scary, spooky screensaver. Webicurean offers screensavers for all ages: from Vampire Betty, Nightmare on Elm Street, and King of Horror (Stephen King) to South Park, Billy Bear and Disney. At www.webicurean.com/halloween/screensavers.htm