Nollaig Shona Duit (Happy Christmas in Irish)

Irish Christmas traditions are similar to those found in many western countries: the basic Christmas rituals, such as gift-giving, attending Mass, and decorating trees, are shared by most nations where Christmas is celebrated. We have already looked at the decorations, and the areas of food and folklore also have their own sections.

Here we are going to look at:

The Religious Aspect

Carol Singing and Music

Santa Claus

Candle in the Window

The Religious Aspect

Because it is still quite a religious country - Catholicism being the most prevalent - Ireland has many religious customs for Christmas.

The most common one is midnight mass, which is at 12 midnight Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. Families go to church to celebrate the birth of the Lord.

Many homes would also display a Christmas crib, which contains Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus as well as shepards and animals. The three wise men arrive later, on January 6th.

^ TOP

As Transition Year students we took part in Carol singing along with First Years, collecting money for the charity, St Vincent de Paul. We raised a healthy £280.

In Ireland Christmas Carols are very popular. Most of these are connected with the Church and are usually sung during advent. The most popular of these include 'Silent Night', 'We Three Kings' etc. It is quite common to see groups of people singing these carols in towns as part of a choir, collecting money for a charity or cause.

Other popular Christmas include classic songs such as 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby and 'Merry Christmas (War is Over)' John Lennon. Many people have albums with an assortment of Christmas songs.

Below are links to common Christmas songs (MIDI format):

(simply click on the titles to listen)

We Three Kings	Silent Night	Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas
Winter Wonderland	O Come, All Ye Faithful	The Twelve Days of Christmas
Little Drummer Boy	Adeste Fidelei	Away in a Manger
O Holy Night	Jingle Bells	Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Deck the Halls	Joy to the World	Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

For many of the lyrics to these songs, why not visit:

http://www.night.net/christmas/songs12.html-ssi or http://www.catholic.net/RCC/music/midi/christmas/

^ TOP

Santa Claus

Santa Claus is a big part of Christmas for younger children. In Ireland, like most of the Western world, Santa is portrayed as a big heavy man in a red suit with a white beard - see photo and drawing!

Mince pies (small fruit cakes) or a slice of Christmas cake and a glass of milk or whiskey is usually left out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas morning children receive toys and gifts, often in a
big stocking from Santa Claus - but only if they are good! It is said that bold children receive a sack of ashes or coal....but none of us have ever received this!!!

Although Ireland very seldom has a 'white christmas' (i.e. it doesn't snow that much here!) we still have the love of all things to do with snow and winter, such as snowmen, snowball fights, etc.

^ TOP

Candle in the Window

The lighting of candles in Ireland also has a religious significance. Some people would light candles (or one large candle) to signify symbolic hospitality for Mary and Joseph.

The candle was a way of saying there was room for Jesus' parents in these homes even if there was none in Bethlehem. Some people even set extra places at their tables as a preparation for unexpected visitors.