Twelve Days of Irish Words and Phrases: Irish Christmas Decorations
Written by Ciaran on Dec 09, 2024 | 0 Comments
Welcome to Day 9 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).
Hang Some Holly!
We all know the Christmas classic - One of the sweetest sights of Christmas is holly on your own front door. What you might not know is that hanging holly, or cuileann (quill-en) on your door and inside the house is a traditional Christmas decoration, or maisiúcháin Nollag (mash-oo-khaw-in Null-ug), with ancient roots here in Ireland.
A Noble Tree
The holly, or cuileann, was known as one of the “noble trees” in ancient Ireland. With its bright red berries and evergreen waxy leaves, it cuts a striking figure amongst the bare trees of the forest at this time of year. It’s easy to see how holly’s vibrant appearance amongst the winter gloom leads to all sorts of connotations and associations. In Ireland, holly was symbolic of life, protection, strength, and regeneration.
Holly growing outside your house and sprigs brought inside were thought to protect the home, catching evil spirits in its spiky leaves, and providing safe shelter for benevolent spirits over harsh winter.
Photo Credit: Annie Spratt
Irish Christmas Decorations
As well as holly and a candle in the window, other traditional Irish decorations would include mistletoe, drualas (DROO-uh-luss). And of course, a more fire-safe option indoors and out, soilse (SOL-sheh), - lights!
We decorated our house with our maisiúcháin Nollag on the traditional date this year, December 8th. Plenty of soilse, drualas, agus cuileann - lights, mistletoe, and holly. Decorating is as fun to say in Irish as it is to do too, Maisigh (Mosh-ee).
What's Next?
Check back in with us tomorrow for Day 10 of our Twelve Days of Irish Christmas, or open Door Number 9 of our 12 Days of Christmas offers!
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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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