MAIN Christmas Europe Christmas in Ireland

The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

- An Irish Christmas Blessing -

Charming, beautiful, and green for most of the year, Ireland is aglow with golden light during the holidays.

That's when households across the country place candles in their windows to symbolically help light the way for Mary and Joseph as they search for lodging in Bethlehem. For weeks beforehand, a thorough house cleaning is also in order and, indeed, the custom of whitewashing farmhouses for Christmas is still observed In some rural areas.

With electric lights sparkling on a German-borrowed Christmas tree, Irish holiday decorating is a blend of modern and ancient traditions. The ancient ways are seen around doorways and mantels, which are usually bedecked in holly and ivy - a tradition that predates the Christian era, when Druidic tribes decorated their homes with evergreens during a dark and chilly winter.

Nollaig shona duit! - Happy Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, a bottle of Guinness and a mince pie are left for Santa, who later steals in during the night delivering gifts to deserving good little girls and boys.

The following day, families gather for a festive Christmas meal of roast turkey, spiced beef, potatoes and vegetables along with the much-awaited Irish Christmas Cake, plum pudding and other sweets.

St. Stephen's Day and Wren Boys Procession

Almost equally celebrated on December 26th is St Stephen's Day, or Boxing Day, when after-Christmas sales are attended to and important football matches are played.

The day is also an important one for children, as young boys go door to door with a fake bird on a stick, singing and begging money 'for the starving wren', and then pocketing the money for themselves. The Wren Boys Procession is a fun-filled ritual much like Halloween trick or treat, and yet another ancient tradition that is said to date back many centuries before Christmas.

Irish Christmas Around the Web

An Irish Christmas - Information on the tradition of Irish caroling with selected lyrics, and be sure to scroll down the page for more on Christmas dinner traditions, St. Stephen's Day, New Year's Day and Ephiphany observances.

An Irish Christmas - Facts & information on the modern celebration with recipes for Christmas turkey dinner, mince pie, Irish Christmas cake, and related holiday features including hangover cures.

Irish Recipes for Christmas - With complete instructions for homemade Irish Christmas Cake, Shamrock cookies, soda scones, plum pudding, roast goose and other favorites.

Christmas in Dublin - An overview of what's happening this year with a link to a December events calendar for dates and times, from VisitDublin.com

also see in Holidays :

Christmas Chocolate Recipes

Christmas Cookie Recipes | Christmas Party Ideas

Christmas Recipes | Christmas Trees | E-Cards

Epiphany | Holiday Planner | Music | Santa Claus

also see in Travel -> Ireland Tourist Attractions