Twelve Days of Irish Words and Phrases: Irish Christmas Calendar
Written by Ciaran on Dec 08, 2024 | 0 Comments
Welcome to Day 8 of our Twelve Days of Irish Christmas. Inspired by that traditional carol and the funny Irish version, Christmas Countdown, we're bringing you Twelve Days of Irish Christmas (Words).
The Irish Christmas Calendar
The holiday season is a busy one in Ireland with lots of special days to celebrate.
December 8th: Ireland's Black Friday & The Margadh Mór
Here in Ireland, before there was Black Friday, there was December the 8th: the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a religious holiday. Officially kicking Christmas off, kids got the day off school, and many in rural Ireland took the day off to head to the city for a big shop to stock up for Christmas supplies. Whether it was to a city or a local large town for the margadh mór, the big market, families would get their Christmas shopping and enjoy the seasonal hustle and bustle.
December 24th: Christmas Eve, Oíche Nollaig
Prnounced EE-hyeh NULL-ig, Christmas Eve was a time a time when many Irish people get together. Some attend a "midnight" mass, others to sing carols for charity, while others still get cosy by the fire with friends and family with their candle in the window.
December 25th: Christmas Day, Lá Na Nollaig
Pronounced Lah Na NULL-ig, Christmas Day also goes by the name Nollaig Mór (NULL-ig mohr), Big Christmas. Friends, family, fun, and feasting are on the cards for most on Big Christmas.
December 26th: Saint Stephen's Day, Lá Fhéile Stiofáin
Also known as Lá an Dreoilín or Day of the Wren in some parts of Ireland, especially the south west. St. Stephen's day is a day for blowing off steam after a busy run up to the holidays. Some dress up and go parading as "Wren boys," while others put on their smartest clothes and head to the horse-racing.
December 31st: New Years Eve, Oíche chinn bliana nua
Also known as Oíche na Cada Moire, or the night of the big portion, Irish families typically treat themselves to a substantial meal enjoyed together on New Years Eve. As well as being tasty and a bit of fun, this big meal was thought to make sure again to set the tone for the coming year. Beginning the year with lots of tasty food would ensure that the coming months would see plenty for everyone in the house
January 1st: New years Day, Lá na bliana nua
January 6th: Women's Christmas, Nollaig na mBan
Also known as Little Christmas, Lá Nollag Beag, the feast of the epiphany has traditionally been a time where the women of Ireland, take the chance to relax and socialize after all the hard work over the holidays.
What's Next?
Check back in with us tomorrow for Day 9 of our Twelve Days of Irish Christmas, or open Door Number 8 of our 12 Days of Christmas offers!
Christmas Gifts To Treasure
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Ciaran
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
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