Cantabria’s Celtic Connection: A Shared Spirit Across the Sea

One of the things that we love most about Cantabria, being Irish, is the Celtic connection. Cantabria has Celtic roots — something that immediately struck a chord with us when we first moved here. There’s something familiar in the landscapes, the music, and even the way people gather and celebrate. It feels ancient, earthy, and deeply communal — a little piece of home on the other side of the Bay of Biscay.

When people think of Spain, they often picture flamenco, tapas, and Mediterranean sunshine — but Cantabria tells a different story. This green, mountainous region in the north holds a culture and identity that feel distinct from the rest of the country. Its traditions are closer in spirit to those found across the Celtic world: Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Galicia.

Samuín: A Celebration of the Turning Year

One of the clearest links to this Celtic past can be seen in festivals like Samuín, celebrated here in parts of Cantabria each autumn. The word itself comes from the old Celtic festival of Samhain, the New Year celebration that marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year.

It was believed that during this time, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was at its thinnest — a time to remember ancestors, honour nature, and prepare for winter’s rest.

Today, in villages across Cantabria, Samuín has been revived by local cultural groups who are passionate about keeping these ancient traditions alive. There are bonfires, storytelling, traditional music, and people dressed as forest spirits and mythological beings. It’s a celebration that feels both mysterious and magical — a reminder of how deeply rooted Cantabrian culture is in the rhythms of nature and community.

A Heritage to Be Proud Of

What makes Cantabria truly special is how these Celtic echoes have survived — not as relics of the past, but as living traditions that continue to evolve. The Celts who once inhabited these lands left traces in place names, archaeological sites, and folklore, but perhaps most importantly, in the values that still shape daily life here.

There’s a strong sense of belonging, of respect for the land, and of the importance of gathering together — around food, music, or a shared purpose. It’s this sense of community that reminds us so much of home in Ireland.

While much of Spain celebrates its Roman or Moorish influences, Cantabria’s story feels older — wilder, more elemental. It’s a reminder that Spain isn’t one single identity, but a patchwork of distinct histories and cultures, each with its own flavour and rhythm.

Keeping the Spirit Alive

Throughout the year, you can feel this Celtic heartbeat in many of Cantabria’s celebrations — from Semana Cántabra in Los Corrales de Buelna to the Festival del Orujo in Potes. These gatherings blend myth, history, and modern life in a way that feels timeless.

As newcomers, we’ve found that embracing these traditions is one of the most beautiful ways to feel connected — not just to a place, but to its people and past.

Discovering the Ancient Soul of Cantabria

For us, the Celtic thread that runs through Cantabria makes it feel instantly familiar — a region with an ancient soul and a proud identity, deeply tied to the land and its stories.

When we walk through the forests or along the misty coastlines, it’s easy to imagine the Celts who once stood here, celebrating the same cycles of life and nature. And as the fires of Samuín burn once again each autumn, we’re reminded that the past isn’t gone — it’s alive, whispering softly through the hills of this extraordinary part of Spain.