Christmas in Ireland

December 17, 7:53 PMInternational Travel ExaminerRita Cook

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Christmas lights are twinkling, holiday songs piped in to just about every building and even more, shoppers and traffic and lots of smiles. 

Just how many Christmas traditions in the United States and beyond did we actually borrow from the Irish?  Well, it seems quite a few.  Indeed, Christmas has changed over the years, but some things will always stay the same.

IRISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Ireland, like most countries, has a number of Christmas traditions. Many of these customs have their root in the time when the Gaelic culture and religion of the country was suppressed and it is perhaps because of that these traditions have survived into modern times.

THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW

The placing of a lighted candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is still practiced today. It has a number of purposes, but primarily it was a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they traveled looking for shelter.

The candle also indicated a safe place for priests to perform mass as during Penal Times this was not allowed.

A further element of the tradition is that the candle should be lit by the youngest member of the household and only be extinguished by a girl bearing the name 'Mary.'

THE LADEN TABLE

After evening meal on Christmas eve the kitchen table was again set and on it were placed a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to the house was left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any wandering traveler could avail of the welcome.

THE WREN BOY PROCESSION

During Penal Times there was once a plot in a village against the local soldiers. They were surrounded and were about to be ambushed when a group of wrens pecked on their drums and awakened the soldiers. The plot failed and the wren became known as 'The Devil's bird.’

On St. Stephen’s Day a procession takes place where a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and families dress up in old clothes and with blackened faces. In olden times an actual wren would be killed and placed on top of the pole.

This custom has to a large degree disappeared, but the tradition of visiting from house to house on St. Stephen’s Day has survived and is very much part of Christmas.

DECORATIONS

The placing of a ring of Holly on doors originated in Ireland as Holly was one of the main plants that flourished at Christmas time and gave the poor ample means with which to decorate their dwellings.

All decorations are traditionally taken down on Little Christmas (January 6th) and it is considered to be bad luck to take them down beforehand.

TRADITIONAL GAELIC SALUTATION

The Gaelic greeting for 'Merry Christmas' is:
'Nollaig Shona Duit,' which is pronounced 'null-ig hun-a dit.'

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It is also interesting to note that in some areas, due to English influence, it is Father Christmas who the children wait for to fill their stockings on Christmas Eve. In other areas of Ireland, due to western influences, Santa Claus visits instead.

What about the 12 Days of Christmas? That’s Irish too and while many people believe that those days end on Christmas they really begin on December 25 in Ireland.  As well, it has also been said that the "meaning" behind the gifts given in the song is a testament to the oppression of the Catholic faith for so many years of Ireland's history.

So hey, even if you’re not in Ireland this year for the holidays, there is a very likely chance that there is a little piece of Ireland in your home just the same.