-->

• Christmas in Ireland is a time to honor religious customs and family. Many of Ireland's Christmas traditions are similar to those celebrated in other western cultures, however Ireland also has a few special traditions of its own. Check out the links on this page to find out more about how they celebrate Christmas in Ireland.

• Fast Facts

  1. Christmas day is December 25th
  2. Christmas 2008 is on a Thursday
  3. "Happy Christmas" in Gaelic is "Nollaig Shona Dhuit"Kaboose: Christmas in Ireland
  4. Christmas is celebrated for fourteen days in Ireland, from December 24th to the Feast of Epiphany on January 6thAbout.com: The Irish Twelve Days of Christmas
  5. Catholicism is the most prevalent religion in IrelandGuide to Ireland: Christmas in Ireland
  6. Most families attend Midnight Mass on Christmas EveGuide to Ireland: Christmas in Ireland

• Irish Christmas Customs

  In Ireland, children put their stockings, and sometimes even a pillowcase, at the end of their bed so it can be filled with small trinkets and gifts. In hard economical times, children have been known to receive pieces of peat or coal in their stocking. This was not considered a punishment, but a gift, as there was nothing else to give them.Kaboose: Christmas in Ireland

  Many families light candles that burn in their windows. This candle display is a representation of hospitality to Mary, Joseph and the Christ child.Guide to Ireland: Christmas in Ireland

  After Christmas Eve dinner, the table was cleared and a loaf of bread, a pitcher of milk and a burning candle were left in the center. The household door was left unlocked so Mary and Joseph, or any other weary traveler that happened by, could take advantage of the household's hospitality.Ireland: Irish Christmas Traditions

  The custom of decorating with a wreath of holly originated in Ireland. It is considered bad luck to take down holly decorations before the Feast of Epiphany on January 6th.

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Christmas | Christmas in England | Christmas in France | Ireland | Plum Pudding | Christmas Eve Dinner | Christmas Eve Recipes | Christmas Carols | Christmas Songs | Christmas in China | Christmas in Australia | Christmas in Sweden | Christmas in Japan | Christmas in India | Christmas in Germany | Christmas in Mexico | Christmas in Iraq | Christmas in July | Christmas Markets in France | Christmas Markets in Germany | Christmas in Russia | Christmas in the Philippines | Christmas Around the World | Christmas Pudding Recipes | Christmas Cake Recipes | Christmas in Brazil | Christmas in Switzerland

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page