Christmas Day in Ireland
When is Christmas Day in Ireland?
Christmas Day in Ireland is on December 25, 2024. It falls on Wednesday.
How many days until Christmas Day in Ireland?
There are 33 Days left until Christmas Day in Ireland.
Is Christmas Day a public holiday in Ireland?
Christmas Day is a public holiday in Ireland. It is an annual observance in different places around the world and is considered to be one of the largest celebrations in Ireland. The holiday is said to be celebrated starting from the 8th day of December. The actual commemoration is on December 25th observing the Birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas Day is a public Christian holiday and just like other countries, majority of businesses and establishments are closed.
The holiday is also known for being a family holiday in many countries. One of which is Ireland who always celebrate the holiday with the family and relatives. They would have a day off from works for the holiday, same goes with school and free to enjoy the celebration. In any other way, if Christmas Day falls on weekend, the following weekday will be taken as the public holiday.
Christmas Day Origin
Christmas Day is observed to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but the truth is, it may not be his real birthdate. Christians started celebrating the holiday on 336 A.D. It was first recorded but not as an official Roman Festival. Different theories are made by many people. Some concluded that it was on December 25 where Mary gave birth to Jesus since she said on March 25th that she is giving birth to a special baby nine months from then on. It was on 350 AD when Pope Julius I, Bishop of Rome declared December 25th as the birth of Jesus. He believed to the said theory for angel Gabriel appeared in front of Mary and told her about her baby on March 25th.
Christmas Day Activities and Traditions in Ireland
Christmas Day traditions and customs are getting numerous from time to time. Even so, some practices are preserved for the said holiday in Ireland. Irish start to celebrate the holiday on December 8th. It is the day where people would enjoy shopping for the upcoming big celebration. It just proves that Irish really look forward and give a thought about Christmas Day as a significant holiday. They would start preparing and savor each moment with the family, relatives, and even friends.
Christmas Decorations
Decorating the house is one of the awaited activities for the holiday. They would design their homes with the use of Christmas lights, tinsels and putting up a Christmas tree. A traditional hanging of ring of holly in doors which originate in Ireland itself is also observed. Decorations are present inside and outside of the house. Irish people will always be decorating their houses on December 8 for they believe it would bring them bad luck if they start putting up before the said day. Because of this, families would get closer in this very simple moment. For public areas and spaces, they would start decorating at late November and early December. Shopping malls are also filled with Christmas lights, figures and other decorations. On this holiday season, streets are also decorated by people living in such neighborhood.
Santa Claus and Gift-Giving
Gleeful celebrations are everywhere in the country during the holiday. Children are expecting mythical ‘Father of Christmas’ named Santa Claus to visit them on Christmas Eve. Children believe that Santa Claus will visit, give gifts and grant their other wishes. Gifts are opened on the morning of Christmas Day. With those gifts, it would start a good day for kids and enjoy the holiday. Putting a candle in house’s window is an old tradition which is observed even now in Ireland. They would place it during the Christmas Eve because they believe that it would make strangers feel welcome in their house.
Fairytale of New York, Ireland's Christmas Music
Christmas would not be perfect without its music. Christmas music called ‘Fairytale of New York’ is played to feel more the presence of Christmas. People named the song as Best Christmas Song in Ireland which is somehow true since this music is being played by everyone in the entire country.
Christmas Caroling
Christmas caroling is popular in Ireland. Carol singers would start during the first week of December. They would be singing their hearts out. Fortunately, they always brighten up the mood of everybody with their talents. Some lovers in Ireland would kiss under the mistletoe. They believe that it would make them safe with power and protection for their love since mistletoe is the wood used in the cross of Jesus when he got crucified.
Little Christmas Tradition
Irish people have this tradition called ‘Little Christmas’ (Nollaig na mBan in Ireland) where the day would be a rest day for women in the house. It is observed on the 6th of January. Household chores were most women do would be taken over to men instead. This feast is declared as Women’s Christmas. On this day, decorations are taking down for they believe that it will bring them bad luck if they would do it sooner. Christmas would end at this day.
Other common practices on Christmas
Some Irish people would have fun in their Christmas Swim in the morning. It is a tradition in Ireland that some would really observe. They would do it in 40ft in Sandycove in Dublin which serve as the traditional venue and many would participate and jump into the cold sea. On December 26th which is the St. Stephen’s Day, Wren boys or even girls would go from house to house singing, dancing and playing music bringing a pole with a holly bush. They would dress up in old clothes. They do this for local charity.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | December 25 | Wednesday | Christmas Day |
| 2025 | December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 2026 | December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 2027 | December 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day |
| 2028 | December 25 | Monday | Christmas Day |
| 2029 | December 25 | Tuesday | Christmas Day |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2024 |
| St. Stephen's Day | December 26, 2024 |
| Christmas Bank Holiday | December 27, 2024 |
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