Irish ways to weather the holidays

The holiday season can get a little hectic. If you are feeling a little worse for wear with holiday stresses, you might enjoy hearing some traditional Irish ways to weather the season.

Get moving like the Wren Boys

This isn’t a new exercise craze but an old pagan tradition that survives in many parts of Ireland to this day. In Irish towns, especially in the south, many work off Christmas calories and connect with their community through manic marching and dancing through the streets on December 26th.

Dressed in elaborate disguises, the “Wren Boys” take their chance to come together outdoors, let off steam, and move after what can be a stressful time. But you needn’t go all out like the Wren Boys. Just getting out in the air for a winter walk may leave you feeling refreshed and ready for more holiday fun. You never know who or what you might find!

Try not to overindulge

We know this one is tricky. With all the delicious food and drinks around during the holidays, it can be hard to avoid.

But this old Irish phrase holds a good bit of truth - "Bíonn blas ar an mbeagán", - "There's greater taste in a little bit." A good one to keep in mind this holiday season.

Get the Cure

If you do overindulge and find yourself feeling a little worse for wear you might need a “Cure.” The Cure encompasses all manner of folk medicine for various ailments, found in every town and village around Ireland. These cures can include nettle soup, raw onion, or mushrooms boiled in milk for curing colds, upset stomachs, and other minor ailments.

Most of these cures sound a little strange and some are entirely unpalatable and possibly downright dangerous, but a few have turned out to hold more than a little truth:

If you cant lay your hands on some magic Irish soil or May day nettles, a favorite in many households is a hot Irish whiskey, drunk at the first sign of a cold. This cure has the added bonus that even if it doesn’t get rid of the cold, you should still feel a little better right away!

Be warned though. This only works with one! Any more and you might need another famous cure - for a hangover.

Many Irish people joke about taking a drink of alcohol - "the hair of the dog that bit you" - helps if you have over indulged on the hot whiskey or any other alcohol for that matter. But if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation perhaps it is best to follow another piece of Irish advice:

"Gáire maith agus codladh fada, an dá leigheas is fearr i leabhar an dochtúra." A good laugh and a long sleep, the two best cures in the doctor’s book.

Don't forget to "go easy"

With all the hectic running around and sometimes unrealistic expectations, there is a wonderful Irish phrase that can be useful to remember "Is leor ó Mhór a dícheall" or "All one can do is ones best." Easily said but perhaps not easily done but a good one to remember all the same to try to "go easy" on yourself and others doing their best.

Did we miss anything?

Of course not everyone in Ireland observes all these traditions and we are certain we have missed more than a few that will have some of you howling. If we've missed your favorite do let us know in the comments below! Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy Holiday season, wherever you are in the world.