Popular Irish Christmas
Traditions
“Nollaig Shona Dhuit!”
(Gaelic for “Happy Christmas!”)
There are many widely accepted Irish Christmas traditions: some that
remind us of the birth of Jesus;
others that reunite us with family and friends; and still others that just help
us have a bit or craic as we enjoy festive music and delicious food:
whitewashing the home; lighting a window candle; attending midnight
mass; eating traditional foods; participating
in the Christmas day
swim;
sending/receiving Christmas greeting cards; partaking in Nollaig na mBean
(Women’s Christmas); joining
The Wren Boy Procession; reading James Joyce's “The Dead”; and going to horse
races
on St. Stephen’s Day.
Incorporating a couple of these Irish customs into
your Christmas celebrations can be a delightful way
to reconnect with your Irish roots, no matter where
you are spending the holiday season!
Check out our article to read
more about these delightful Irish Christmas traditions.