Christmas In Ireland Facts: Read About Incredible Irish Celebrations

Akinwalere Olaleye
Oct 31, 2023 By Akinwalere Olaleye
Originally Published on Dec 05, 2021
Every day is beautiful and brings a message

Everyone loves festivals, and Christmas Day, which falls on December 25, is celebrated all over the world with great happiness.

People celebrate Christmas all over the world. Christians particularly have great faith in Christmas and therefore they celebrate Christmas with much joy and happiness.

St. Patrick brought Christmas to Ireland in the 5th century. Every day is beautiful and brings a message, and Christmas Eve brings a beautiful message about one person. Do you know who? Christmas is a kind of feast day to celebrate Jesus Christ.

Christians believe him to be the Son of God. Christmas is well known and celebrated as it is believed that it marks the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christians have their own Christmas traditions which they follow with great belief and faith. A lot of decorations are hung along with decorating the Christmas tree. It is an Irish tradition to celebrate St. Stephen's Day on December 26 every year.

Do you know how Christmas is celebrated in Ireland and what Christmas traditions are followed? How do people in Ireland celebrate Christmas? Do you know about Irish traditions and which people in Ireland celebrate Christmas?

After reading these interesting facts about the Irish Christmas celebrated during December, also read about Christmas in Germany and Christmas in China facts.

Christmas Day In Ireland

Ireland is basically a nation of islands located in northwestern Europe. It is situated in the Atlantic Ocean.

In Ireland as well, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25. In Irish, it is known as Nollaig. However, many Irish families start celebrating Christmas from December 8 and celebrations last up to January 6 which is called the little Christmas.

This remains the festive season in Ireland. A number of Christmas trees are decorated by Irish people. They follow a lot of Christmas traditions. Christmas in Ireland, as well as the entire world, is celebrated in surprising ways. A lot of Christmas decorations are made and there are celebrations until the little Christmas.

Fun Christmas Traditions In Ireland

Christmas in Ireland is celebrated with great joy. Christmas traditions are both modern and traditional. Many Christmas traditions have lived even up to the 21st century.

Christmas Eve in Ireland marks the start of the holiday season.  The holiday season lasts for a week from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day.

Do you know the day after Christmas is a public holiday in Ireland? Do you know what it is known as in Ireland? One day after Christmas, December 26 is a public holiday. It is known as St. Stephen's Day. St. Stephen was the first Catholic martyr and a patron saint.

It has another name too, which is Boxing day. St. Stephen's Day is also known as Boxing Day in northern Ireland.

Besides attending the Christmas mass and hanging Christmas decorations, they perform many fun traditions. One of the Christmas traditions is the Christmas tractor parade. During the Christmas season, Christmas markets are also decorated. Christmas markets add light to the darkness.

These Christmas markets are known for their fairy lights, Christmas cake, and Christmas shopping. Horse races take place on St. Stephen's Day. On Christmas morning in Ireland, Christmas Day swims take place.

Christmas Celebration In Ireland

So how is Christmas celebrated in Ireland? What do they do and how do they celebrate? Irish people celebrate Christmas in many ways. Do you know the translation of Happy Christmas in Irish? It is known as Nollaig Shona Duit, which means Happy Christmas to you.

There is a Christmas tradition in Ireland to decorate graves with holly. Wreaths of holly are used to decorate graves. Christmas trees are decorated. Even Ireland is the home of Santa Claus. It is believed that Santa Claus comes at Christmas and distributes gifts to children. Children wait for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas feast is eaten at Christmas dinner. Christmas dinner is eaten after the fast. Christmas dinner consists of roast beef, roast goose, and ham. The Christmas dinner includes Christmas desserts like Christmas cake.

After Christmas, St. Stephen's Day is celebrated and Christmas celebrations end with the celebration of women's Christmas. Little Christmas, also known as women's Christmas, is a celebration of the women's hard work. Women's Christmas usually marks the end of Christmas celebrations in Ireland.

Christmas Decorations In Ireland

Festivals feel empty without decorations. As we already know, January 6 is celebrated as women's Christmas and it marks the end of Christmas festivities. But what happens before that?

It starts with cleaning all Irish households. The whitewashing of houses occurs. As this day is celebrated as a feast day of Jesus Christ, it is important to enlighten it. Holly is used to represent Jesus Christ and his holy life.

Christmas trees are erected and decorated in various places in Ireland. People share gifts. They visit each other and give gifts to each other. It is greatly believed that Santa Claus travels the world during Christmas Eve and provides gifts to children. Even shopping centers have Santa Claus as kids are really fond of him.

Christmas Food In Ireland

Do you know what the basic Christmas foods are? What do people eat at Christmas in Ireland? What foods are included in the Christmas dinner?

Irish families sit together to have a great Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Do you know what is the most important piece of Irish Christmas dinner? It is roasted turkey. As well as turkey, there is cranberry sauce.

Mashed potatoes, vegetables, roasted beef, and ham also form the Christmas dinner. Desserts after the Christmas dinner include mince pie, Christmas cakes, and the likes. The Christmas Dinner often includes a starter of roasted prawns. People even consume chicken and cows.

What is the weather in Ireland on Christmas Eve? Is it very cold or very hot? Does it snow or not?

Christmas Eve in Ireland is cold. The average temperature is around 41-46.4 F (5-8 C).

Many times it snows as well and Christmas in Ireland becomes a white Christmas; however, the phenomenon is rare. Talking about weather expectations for Christmas this year, 2021, there are chances of low precipitation. However, if we look back through history, a white Christmas has been seen in Ireland around six times in the 20th century.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Christmas in Ireland facts then why not take a look at Christmas in Mexico or Christmas in Italy facts.

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Written by Akinwalere Olaleye

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Akinwalere Olaleye picture

Akinwalere OlaleyeBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

As a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and energetic individual, Olaleye's expertise lies in administrative and management operations. With extensive knowledge as an Editor and Communications Analyst, Olaleye excels in editing, writing, and media relations. Her commitment to upholding professional ethics and driving organizational growth sets her apart. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Benin, Edo State. 

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