|

|
Traditions
|
|
|
Holidays and Observances for 2010
|
| January 01 | New Year's Day (Lá Caille) | | February 16 | Shrove Tuesday | | March 17 | St. Patrick's Day (Lá Fhéile Pádraig) | | April 02 | Good Friday (Aoine an Chéasta) | | April 04 | Easter Sunday (Domhnach Cásca) | | April 05 | Easter Monday (Luan Cásca) | | May 03 | Labour Day (Lá an Lucht Oibre) | | May 13 | Ascension Thursday (Déardaoin Deascabhála) | | May 23 | Pentecost (Domhnach Cincíse) | | May 24 | Whit Monday (Luan Cincíse) | | June 03 | Corpus Christi (Déardaoin Chorp Chríost) | | June 07 | June Holiday (Lá Saoire i mí Mheitheamh) | | August 02 | August Holiday (Lá Saoire i mí Lúnasa) | | October 25 | October Holiday (Lá Saoire i mí Dheireadh Fómhair) | | December 24 | Christmas Eve (Oíche Nollag) | | December 25 | Christmas Day (Lá Nollag) | | December 26 | St. Stephen's Day (Lá Fhéile Stiofáin) | | December 31 | New Year's Eve (Oíche Chinn Bliana) |
|
New! Ireland Calendars for 2011
|
|
Christmas Customs
|
|
Christmas in Ireland is the largest celebration of the year and lasts from 24 December to 6 January, although many may view 8 December as being the start of the season as it is the traditional Christmas shopping day in Ireland due to all schools being closed. It plays an extremely important role in both religious and secular aspects of Irish life.
Although religious devotion in Ireland today is considerably less than it used to be, there are huge attendances at religious services for Christmas Day, with Midnight Mass a popular choice. Most families get their deceased relatives prayed for at these Masses as it is a time of remembering the dead in Ireland. It is traditional to decorate graves at Christmas with a wreath made of holly and ivy. Even in the most un-devout of homes in Ireland the traditional crib takes centre-piece along with the Christmas tree as part of the family's decorations.
In the secular side of Irish society, Christmas is the biggest event of the year. Almost the entire workforce is finished by lunchtime on Christmas Eve or often a few days beforehand. Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day are public holidays and many people do not return to work until after New Year's Day. Irish people spend more and more money each year on celebrating Christmas. In 2006, the total amount spent in Ireland to celebrate Christmas was €16 billion, which averages at approximately €4,000 for every single person in the country.
Santa Claus, known in Ireland simply as Santy or Daidí na Nollag in Irish, brings presents to children in Ireland, which are opened on Christmas morning. Family and friends also give each other gifts at Christmas. The traditional Christmas dinner consists of turkey and ham with a selection of vegetables and a variety of potatoes, as potatoes still act as a staple food in Ireland despite the popularization of staples such as rice and pasta. Dessert is a very rich selection of Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, and mince pies with equally rich sauces such as brandy butter.
Christmas celebrations in Ireland finish with the celebration of Little Christmas on 6 January. This festival, which coincides with the Epiphany, is also known as Women's Christmas in Cork.
More information on Christmas worldwide
|
|
|
|
Personalized Irish Wedding Blessing Cotton Throw
The beloved "Irish Marriage Blessing" and an enchanting shamrock border are woven into a gorgeous Personalized with names and wedding date. 100% cotton throw. USA. 53 x 65".
|
|
Irish Wedding Song Collection CD
This production by famous Irish artists has proven to be one of the most popular Irish Music collections ever released. For that very special day , this collection features 14 of the most popular songs associated with a wedding. An ideal shower or wedding gift. Simply a must for any wedding, especially an Irish one! Play list includes: Irish Wedding Song - Andy Cooney, My Son - Sonny Knowles, Mother - Tony Kenny, Daughter of Mine - Andy Cooney, You Touched Upon My Life - Andy Cooney, The Voyage - Tony Kenny, The Vows Go Unbroken - Andy & Deirdre Reilly, Gown of White - Pat Roper, Siege of Ennis - Paddy Noonan, I’ll Never Find Another You - Sheila Noonan & Dermot O’Brien, Forever and More - Carl Corcoran, It’s Our Anniversary - Sheila Noonan & Dermot O’Brien, The Only One - Carl Corcoran, Old Time Irish Waltz Medley - Paddy Noonan. Web Exclusive!
|
| New! Collectibles from Ireland |
Preview our selection of traditional pottery, ceramics, porcelain, art glass from Ireland, including: Arklow, Belleek, Carrigaline, Cavan Crystal, Galway Irish Crystal, Irish Dresden, Nicholas Mosse, Royal Tara, Tyrone Crystal, Wade Irish Porcelain, Waterford Crystal, and more....
Click here to see all collectibles from Ireland |
|
|
|
|
|
