Nollaig Shona Dhuit

(Merry Christmas!)

By Lisa Roulston
Courier Staff

Christmas is a magical time of year, the atmosphere, food, smell and excitement that surrounds this time brings families together all over the world. The traditional Irish Christmas has evolved and changed slightly over time, but there are still many traditions within my family that have continued on for many years.   

Here is a little insight into my Christmas:

Advent

The 1st of December starts the count down to Christmas Day when children start to open the windows of their Advent calendars. The Advent calendar is normally shaped like a house with 24 doors.  Behind each door there is a Christmas picture and a chocolate treat.

Presents

Presents are a big thing in Ireland and many people start their Christmas shopping at the beginning of November. Christmas gifts are given to the whole family, normally one big gift and then a variety of smaller ones.

Christmas Eve Each Christmas Eve a candle is lit and placed in the window of the house. This has a number of purposes, but primarily it is a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they traveled looking for shelter. People normally celebrate Christmas Eve with a Christmas drink, either in their homes or in their local pub. The atmosphere and excitement of Christmas day fills the pub with happiness and laughter.

At twelve o’ clock the pub begins to empty as most of the people leave to attend midnight mass. After the mass has ended, friends and family gather for a cup of tea and a chat. You are allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Dinner

Food plays a big part of the celebration in Ireland.  A traditional Christmas dinner normally starts off with home made vegetable soup, egg mayonnaise (the Irish version of “Deviled Eggs”) or melon.

The main course includes turkey with stuffing, normally sage and onion, ham, roasted, boiled and mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower and parsnips, with a coating of gravy and cranberry sauce.  For dessert we normally have trifle or pavlova.

Traditional Christmas food also includes mince pies, Christmas cake, pudding and many hot whiskeys.

St. Stephens Day

(also known as Boxing Day)

The day after Christmas is meant for relaxing and finishing the leftovers from the Christmas dinner. Traditionally pantomime plays are performed on St. Stephen’s Day, in which women play the men's roles and vice-versa. In Dublin there are usually several plays going on including “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Puss in Boots.”

The Epiphany

On the 6th of January, the last of the twelve days of Christmas, the decorations and tree are put away for another year.  It is unlucky to put away any decorations before this date. The Feast of the Epiphany also known as “Little Woman’s Christmas,” is a time when a man gives the woman he loves a gift of money, perfume or jewelry; this represents when the three wise men visited Jesus and brought him gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Epiphany is just as important as birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas.

So for the boys on campus, don’t forget to give the one you love something special on the 6th of January, and for the girls on campus, don’t forget to remind them, as you can never have too many gifts.

Nollaig Shona Dhuit!