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Christmas in Ireland
BY Patrick Gibney
When I was growing up in Dublin, Christmas Day, along with St. Patrick’s Day, was a religious holiday. All businesses were closed, even pubs, and the churches were filled with repentant sinners. When the Americans and the British got ahold of St. Patrick’s Day and turned it into a party, the Irish eventually followed suit. But Christmas Day, and Christmas in general, haven’t changed a whole lot. It has somehow survived the people’s purge of the Catholic Church’s influence in Ireland and retains a sense of reverence and reflection for most people. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a savage amount of alcohol consumed during Christmas, a period which lasts from December 8th to January 6th, officially. Office/work parties abound, kids are excited to receive gifts from “Santy,” and cities, towns, and neighborhoods are lit up with colorful decorations to celebrate the season.
The earliest account of the Christian celebration of Christmas in Ireland is from 1171, when the excommunicated King of England, Henry II, spent Christmas in Dublin. Many traditions have been passed down from generation to generation. Amongst the most popular today is Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. For a lot of people, it’s the only time they go to Mass all year. It’s a huge social gathering where family, friends, and neighbors come together. And there’s always a few drunk assholes talking shit, pissing on themselves, or puking at the back of the church. Christmas markets are also a big thing in Ireland, as are the horse races that are held on the day after Christmas (Saint Stephen’s Day). It’s quite common to see a candle in the window of houses on Christmas Eve. This is a symbol to welcome strangers and to remember those who are far away from home. Another popular thing to do is to go swimming in the Irish Sea at a famous spot in South Dublin called The Forty Foot Rock. Hundreds of people go there to jump into the frigid 50-degree waters on Christmas Day. Some people use this occasion to raise money for charity while others say it’s a great cure for a hangover.
Christmas, most of all, is about family. I am going to Dublin to spend it with my ninety-year-old mother, Alice. She taught me the importance of faith and that cultivating and maintaining a relationship with God is key to navigating this treacherous world. Merry Christmas to you all.
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