What Holidays Does Ireland Have?
Since 450 B.C., when the Celts from Middle Europe sailed across the ocean to settle in Ireland, the Irish have lent the charm of their culture to the holidays they celebrate. Along with the major holidays there are festivals and celebrations relating to music, dance, sports and theater. Whatever the occasion, the Irish make a tradition of getting together to enjoy each other's company.
Other People Are Reading
-
New Year's Day
-
New Year's Day (Jan. 1), or La Caille in Gaelic, is usually celebrated in the neighborhood pub. In larger cities, there are fireworks on this last day of the winter break, and most people return to school and work the next day. The "New Year Swim" is a tradition that involves taking a brief swim in the sea, and the event is usually televised.
St. Patrick's Day
-
St. Patrick's Day (March 17), or La Fheile Padraig, is a four-day festival including everything from street fairs and carnivals to theater and traditional Irish music. When St. Patrick's Day falls on a weekend, the festival begins on the following Monday.
-
Easter Monday
-
Easter Monday (Luan Casca) is the day after Easter. Most businesses and all schools are closed for the week. An Irish custom during this celebration is for children to collect raw eggs and cook them. This is called "cluideog," and the eggshells are saved and placed around the May bush in hopes of a prosperous spring. The egg is an important symbol of rebirth.
Bank Holidays
-
On bank holidays, also known as public holidays, all banks and most businesses are closed. The days are the first Mondays in May, June and August and the last Monday in October. These days give workers time off, and many Irish people plan their vacations to coincide with them.
Christmas
-
Christmas Day, known as La Nollag, is one of the most significant holidays in Ireland. It is spent with family and friends, and most people take off the following week. Although a few lights are hung outside houses, the main focus is on the live Christmas tree inside, with its lights and ornaments. Mistletoe is found in most doorways. Children's presents are left in their rooms in a pillowcase at the end of the bed. Families enjoy roast goose or turkey, ham and boiled potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots and other vegetables. Dessert is a Christmas cake or pudding. Mincemeat pies are also popular.
St. Stephen's Day
-
St. Stephen's Day (Dec. 26), or La Fheile Stiofain, is celebrated with re-enactments by children who dress up as "Wren Boys" and knock on the doors of houses and businesses, singing "the wren" and asking for money. The myth is that the robin, signifying the new year, kills the wren, which was the old year.
-
References
- Photo Credit irish flag image by Richard Kane from Fotolia.com
