Twelve Days of Irish Holiday Traditions Day 12: Nollaig Na mBan

Inspired by that traditional carol, and the funny Irish version, Christmas Countdown, we're bringing you Twelve Days of Christmas (Traditions). These Irish traditions make the season so special for so many on the Emerald Isle. You may even want to try one for yourself.

Day 12 - Nollaig Na mBan

January 6th is a day that can go by several different names depending on where you are. Known by many as The Feast of the Epiphany or the 12th Day of Christmas. In Ireland it is known as Nollaig na mBan or "Women’s Christmas."

What is Nollaig na mBan?

January 6th marks the end of the Christmas season in Ireland. Along with the 24th, 25th, and 26th, Nollaig na mBan is one of the most important days of the Christmas calendar in Ireland.

Traditionally it was the day where Irish women, who had worked tirelessly for weeks to create Christmas magic for their families, had the day completely to themselves. There is an old quip that “God rested on the seventh day, but the women of Ireland didn't do the same until the twelfth”.

The men would take over cleaning, preparing meals, and looking after the children for the day. This left the women of the house free to socialize with female relatives and friends and generally let their hair down after a busy and probably quite exhausting holiday season.

Nollaig na mBan Traditions

Bright Night

Women would typically gather in the afternoon in each other's homes to eat Christmas cake, drink tea, chat, and most importantly, rest after a busy Christmas. In some communities, the evening was capped by the woman of the house lighting 12 candles in the window. Many families would stroll around and look at the houses lit up. In the days before electricity, it must have been quite a sight, " the brightest night of the year" according to one resident of the Aran Islands.

Display The Three Kings

Nollaig na mBan was also the Christian feast day that marked the arrival of the Three Kings in Bethlehem with their offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. At Irish Churches and in Christian houses that had a crib, the Feast of the Epiphany would see the three kings added to the display.

Pack up the Christmas Decorations

But in many Irish houses, those Three Kings wouldn't be displayed for long! January 6th was also traditionally the day when Christmas was packed up and stored away for another year. When holly and ivy were the traditional decoration in Irish homes, they were taken down and burnt in the fire on the 6th.

To this day, many Irish people will tell you it's very bad luck to have your decorations up past the 6th. In many towns around Ireland, you would be hard-pressed to spot a Christmas light or some tinsel come January 7th.

Modern Nollaig na mBan Traditions

Many Nollaig na mBan customs had all but disappeared a few decades ago, bar a few holdouts in Cork and Kerry. But in recent years, Nollaig na mBan is a revived and reinvigorated celebration. And in modern Ireland, where housework is generally more equitably divided, the day has shifted somewhat. Nollaig na mBan is now more of a celebration and acknowledgment of the fantastic women in our lives.

Nollaig na mBan Charitable events

Many women's groups mark the day with charitable events or donations to help those in need, particularly for organisations that support women.

Nollaig na mBan Celebrations

But that’s not to say Irish women are missing out on their chance to let their hair down and socialize! Many restaurants, hotels, and bars around the country have Nollaig na mBan celebrations. And more still report nearly 100% female clientele on this day, as Irish women meet up with mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, and friends, to celebrate Nollaig na mBan. There is stronger stuff than tea served at many of these parties, but the sentiment is the same. A chance for women to connect, laugh, and generally relax together after a busy and at times stressful season.

We are delighted to see this custom being revived. Indeed, it is now a celebration that is marked outside Ireland, with many women's groups hosting breakfasts and fundraisers in North America, the UK, and beyond. We hope that in sharing it with you, this wonderful custom may spread even further. Will you mark Nollaig na mBan this year?

Cheers to the women of My Irish Jeweler

So I will take this chance to toast the wonderful women of My Irish Jeweler. They've been working tirelessly to make so many Christmas wishes come true for all our wonderful friends around the globe this year. My Irish Jeweler is blessed to have such fantastic strong Irish (and honorary Irish), women on the team.

Nollaig na mBan faoi mhaise dhaoibh!

How to pronounce Nollaig na mBan

If you do plan share Nollaig na mBan with others this year? You may want to practice how to say it! Don't worry, the pronunciation is not too tricky as far as Gaelic goes! As our resident Irish speaker, I'll talk you through how to pronounce Nollaig na mBan in the video below.

It should sound something like "Null-igg na Mon." Have a go and impress friends and family by wishing them A Happy Nollaig na mBan - Nollaig na mBan faoi mhaise dhaoibh!

What's Next?

This is our last day of wonderful Christmas traditions. If you missed one of the 12 days you can find all of them here. And of course there is also Day 12 to check out in our 12 Days of Christmas offers too! These offers will run until our last order date for guaranteed shipping on December 19th - so all that remains to say is Happy Christmas - Nollaig Shona!