Christmas Traditions in Ireland

In general the Christmas traditions in Ireland are similar to other western countries, but like everything else, the Irish do things slightly different. There are the usual practises of giving gifts, attending Christmas Mass and erecting and decorating Christmas trees in homes around Ireland. A home in Ireland without a Christmas tree is a very unusual sight.

One of the major traditions in Ireland is to light a candle and place it in the window of the house. It is a sign of welcome to passers by. The candle is another way of saying there is room at the inn for Mary and Joseph. The tradition is also carried on to such an extent that some people set an extra place at Christmas dinner for strangers. Since the presidency of Mary Robinson, it has been the tradition of Áras an Uachtaráin all year long.

Christmas dinner is usually made up of a large selection of vegetables, roast potatoes, stuffing, ham, turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce. Desert is usually made up of Christmas cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding which can be covered with either brandy or rum.

In Dublin City the traditions of Christmas involve the lighting of the Christmas lights on O’Connell Street, Henry Street and Grafton Street. All the shops hare elaborately decorated from October to celebrate the festival season. The other major tradition in Dublin is the erecting of a Christmas tree at the top of Grafton Street.

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