A Traditional Irish Christmas- An Infographic

oMeun A Traditional Irish CHRISTMAS THE HOME Whitewashing In rural Ireland, especially on farms, whitewashing began during Advent, the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas. Men would paint the outhouses of their farms while the women scrubbed the interiors. It dates back to pre-Christianity and is seen as the ancient version of spring cleaning, carried out before the Winter Solstice when daylight hours are reduced. The Holly Wreath The placing of a ring of Holly on the front door of a house originated because Holly was one of the main plants that flourished at Christmas. O In older times, it gave the poor ample means with which to decorate their homes. Holly is still very popular in Ireland today. Ш Decorations December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is when decorations were traditionally put up in Ireland. IRISH BLESSING All decorations are traditionally taken down on January 6th the Feast of the Epiphany. or each petal on the shamrock This brings a wish your way Good health, good luck, and happiness For today and every day For O It is considered to be bad luck to take them down before this. RELIGION Midnight Mass This is a huge social gathering where family and friends who may not have seen each other all year come together. Christmas carols are sung and live music is played. Nowadays, Midnight Mass takes place as early as 7pm and people often go for a drink in their local pub afterwards. Candle in the Window Placing a lighted candle in the window of a house on Christmas Eve was a symbolic welcoming for Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for shelter. In Penal Times, when Catholic mass was banned, it indicated that the house was a safe place for priests to say mass. CHILDREN Letters to Santa Stockings Reindeers Christmas Stockings were and still are very popular with many children waking up on Christmas Day to see their presents in the stockings Irish children would write Often children would be told a 'letter to Santa Claus asking him for a present. to leave a carrot out for Rudolph on Christmas Eve, along with a mince pie and a can of Guinness and around their bedroom. for Santa. FOOD Dinner A traditional Irish Christmas Dinner is Roast Turkey, Stuffing, Ham, Gravy and Roast Potatoes. Brussel Sprouts are popular vegetables. Cake Traditional Irish Christmas Cake is a rich fruit and nut cake soaked in Whiskey. Sweets Nowadays, a box of Roses, USA biscuits and Selection Boxes are found in most Irish households. The Laden Table On Christmas Eve, after dinner, the kitchen table was set and a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk, and a large lit candle were placed on it. The door to the house was left unlocked so that Mary and Joseph, or a wandering traveller could avail of the supper. CUSTOMS The Wren On St. Stephen's day a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and In olden times a real Wren would be killed and placed on top of the pole. families dress up in old clothes with blackened faces. The tradition is said to be linked to both Celtic The best know Wren mythology with the Wren possibly being a sacrifice or a symbol for the year past or the new year ahead. procession still in existence is in Dingle, Co. Kerry. Women's Christmas Traditionally, when women were at home and not in the The Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th is also known as Women's workplace, it was the one day of the year where the men stayed at home and Christmas or Little did the housework while Christmas. the women went out with female friends and family. Nowadays, it is much more commercialised with organised theme event nights. SPORTS Horse Racing St. Stephen is the patron saint of horses and large horse race meets take place on St Stephen's Day. The races in Leopardstown, South Dublin, attract 20,0000 It is linked to a Germanic tradition of racing horses to honour the saint. people annually. Charity Swim Christmas day swims take place all over Ireland on Christmas morning and often for charity fundraising. The most famous is the Forty Foot Rock, just South of Dublin. The water in the Irish Sea on Christmas Day is usually around 50F / 10C. GIFTS Shopping Nolaig Shona Dutt PRINT YOUR PHOTOS HERE! FUJIFILM SUBWAY The feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day, was traditionally the day families came 'up from the country' to do their Christmas gift shopping he cities on December 8th. suatche Cards Have -yourself Merry lile. Christmas The tradition of sending Christmas cards is alive and well in Ireland. Often a letter was included telling the recipient the news of the family for the past year. These cards and letters were often sent to relatives in the UK, US and Australia to tell them all about 'the news from home'. onou a Merry Christmas WEATHER If it snowed on Christmas Eve, Irish children were told that geese were being plucked in heaven. A new moon meant a lucky omen. Cold and frosty weather was welcome. It meant that there would be a mild spring ahead and an absence of illness. Mild weather was cause for concern because, according to the old Irish proverb,"A green Christmas makes a fat churchyard." Murphy OF IRELAND SINCE 1939 15 Year Anniversar www.murphyofireland.com References http://www.ireland-information.com/articles/irishchristmastraditions.htm http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/the-top-ten-irish-christmas-traditions- that-make-the-season-see-photos-112236619-237790591.html http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/travel/top-ten-irish-christmas-traditions-old- fashioned-and-modern-ireland-combined-184409151-238163651.html http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasthenNow.html http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Irish-Christmas-traditions.html http://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/irish-christmas-facts.html