Irish Christmas Traditions to Get You into the Festive Spirit

In Ireland, the Christmas season lasts from December 8th to January 6th which gives plenty of time to get into the festive spirit and revel in it!

There are some uniquely Irish festive traditions that have stood the test of time and while Christmas and the entire season is really about shopping and partying now, our ancestors celebrated this time of year in a much more humble, subdued and frugal way, revolving around the dark winter evenings, religious traditions and that break from work. It was an important time as an ancient midwinter festival marking the winter solstice.

Traditionally Christmas season began at the start of advent in the church and the December 8th date of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was the religious start for the season and the ending on 'Women's Christmas' or Nollaig na mBan - January 6th.

So, it starts with a greeting. If you want to add a layer of the Irish language here's how to wish people a Happy Christmas:

• Happy Christmas (to one person): Nollaig shona dhuit (null-ig hun-ah gwit)
• Happy Christmas (to a group): Nollaig shona daoibh (null-ig hun-ah yeev)
• Little Christmas / Women’s Christmas: Nollaig na mBan (null-ig na mon)

On Christmas Eve, many Irish households place a candle or light in the front window as a symbolic sign of welcome to travellers who may be passing.

It is believed that this tradition may have originated during the 16th century when the Penal Laws banned Irish Catholics from practising their religion. Those who continued in secret placed a candle in the window as a sign of welcome to priests or to indicate the location of mass. Years later, in 1828, when Daniel O’Connell was the first Catholic elected as an MP since 1688, Catholics throughout Ireland placed candles in their windows to celebrate. President Mary Robinson rejuvenated this tradition when she started it again in the window of Aras an Uachtarain, her residence, as a symbol of Ireland it its welcomes.

Traditionally in Ireland there were no fir trees but there were plenty of other evergreens like holly and ivy, used to decorate homes and doorways and even graves. It's not a well known fact because although the Germans are credited with bringing Christmas trees to homes throughout the world, the Irish are largely responsible for the wreaths of holly hanging on doors at Christmas time. Holly dates back to pagan times when the Irish placed it around their homes - especially doors and windows. The idea was that it would protect against evil spirits.

It's said that it's unlucky to remove the Christmas decorations before the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. This was traditionally a Christian festival celebrating the visit of the Three Wise Men to Baby Jesus. It's a holy day of obligation in Ireland and popularly known as Twelfth Night. It's more commonly known though as 'Nollaig na mBan' - Women's Christmas - and a day that women rest and celebrate together.

Christmas means music and there are carol services on all over the country from professional big productions to local churches and schools and venues. One of Ireland's oldest Christmas carols, Wexford carol, comes from County Wexford and dates back as far as the 12th century. It's exact author is unknown as it was actually passed down through the generations orally. This most beautiful and haunting tune tells the story of the nativity and the wonder of the silence of that Christmas night. Over the years, the Wexford carol has transcended it's Irish origins and there have been so many beautiful versions of it including one done by Alison Krauss in the USA with cellist Yo Yo Ma.

Ireland is rich in tradition and at Christmas time this becomes even more meaningful than ever.