Tell me about christmas in Ireland (admin update in post 89)

amyfitz91

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Admin update here.
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Hi Guys,

My name is Amy and I live San Francisco California. My Dad is Irish, he came over here to work in the 80's where he met my Mom and they've had me (22) and my little sister (17).

My Dad is from the west of Ireland and we've been back there almost every year. Some of my first memories are in Ireland. I absolutely adore Ireland and although it's my Dad's home and not mine I always feel at home here.

My poor father always gets terribly homesick at Christmas, even though he's been here for almost thirty years. He loves Christmas here in Cali but says there is nothing like an Irish Christmas back home in Mayo. He always tells us stories of meeting up with his extended family on Christmas Eve and then a huge Christmas dinner with his immediate family on Christmas Day. He also raves about midnight mass, the late late toy show and the lovely feeling around his town in the lead up to Christmas. He hasn't been home for Christmas since he left. So, this year, my sister and I are both in college and have a six week Christmas break for the holidays. My Dad is now a surgeon and always takes anytime he we have off over the holidays off and my Mom stays at home.

So, our family have decided to bring Dad home for the holidays. We're going to leave here on Nov 27th and return to Cali on Jan 2nd. The only thing is, he doesn't know about it. We will be telling him this weekend. His parents who are both still alive and brothers and sisters all know and are so so happy. My aunt told me that we'd even be home for the late late toy show which has made me so happy. This way we can let dad do all the things he did back when he was 21 the year before he left Ireland in the lead up to Christmas. He can go shopping to Dublin for a day like he used to and get in the festive mood and then enjoy the big days over the holidays. I am so excited to do this for him because he has done so much for all of us.

So I have some questions. What is Ireland like over the holidays? Is the country as crazy about Christmas as the US is? Dad is from Mayo so what are the chances of us having a white Christmas? He's the only one in our family who's ever had one? What is Dublin like over the holidays? We'll be bringing Dad there for a night or two.

Also, if any of you have any suggestions of things to do over the holidays in Ireland with Dad please let us know? I cannot contain my excitement!

Thank You,
Amy

darahiggins

awesome! i always had christmas in mayo with my grandparents so v nostalgic about it. chances are good for a white christmas because its freezing over here at the moment. you probably wont get the toy show in as its on usually in early december. Ireland is crazy about christmas, its a fantastic place to be in terms of socialising and there is always a very christmassy feel to the place but i suppose it comes down to the family you spend it with at the end of the day. Dublin is great, christmas decorations are already hanging in the main shopping centres. hope you have a fantastic christmas, your dad is a lucky guy

Nollaig Shona Dhuit! (Happy Christmas)

miss no stars

Ah that sounds great for your dad. Don't bank on a white Christmas, the weather here is very changeable but at the moment it's looking like quite a cold winter. The toy show this year is on the 30th November so you should be here for it, a real treat . I suppose Christmas is much like in the USA, lots of family and friends, exchanging presents and so on. You might enjoy going to a Christmas Market and one thing I've been meaning to do for years and am only getting around to this year is to go to the national craft fair (in Dublin, so it might or might not work out with the timing of you trip to Dublin. Website here: http://www.nationalcraftsfair.ie/)

Not having spent a Christmas in the USA I can't say for certain what the differences/similarities are, but I'm sure they aren't that big and you should enjoy the trip.

angel_wings

Not sure of the similarities/differences tbh but just wanted to say thank you for the post, it is really lovely! I can only imagine the way your Dad is gonna feel when yous tell him this weekend
I wish you's a safe journey over and hope you all have a wonderful Irish Christmas

Eastcoastryan

amyfitz91 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

My name is Amy and I live San Francisco California. My Dad is Irish, he came over here to work in the 80's where he met my Mom and they've had me (22) and my little sister (17).

My Dad is from the west of Ireland and we've been back there almost every year. Some of my first memories are in Ireland. I absolutely adore Ireland and although it's my Dad's home and not mine I always feel at home here.

My poor father always gets terribly homesick at Christmas, even though he's been here for almost thirty years. He loves Christmas here in Cali but says there is nothing like an Irish Christmas back home in Mayo. He always tells us stories of meeting up with his extended family on Christmas Eve and then a huge Christmas dinner with his immediate family on Christmas Day. He also raves about midnight mass, the late late toy show and the lovely feeling around his town in the lead up to Christmas. He hasn't been home for Christmas since he left. So, this year, my sister and I are both in college and have a six week Christmas break for the holidays. My Dad is now a surgeon and always takes anytime he we have off over the holidays off and my Mom stays at home.

So, our family have decided to bring Dad home for the holidays. We're going to leave here on Nov 27th and return to Cali on Jan 2nd. The only thing is, he doesn't know about it. We will be telling him this weekend. His parents who are both still alive and brothers and sisters all know and are so so happy. My aunt told me that we'd even be home for the late late toy show which has made me so happy. This way we can let dad do all the things he did back when he was 21 the year before he left Ireland in the lead up to Christmas. He can go shopping to Dublin for a day like he used to and get in the festive mood and then enjoy the big days over the holidays. I am so excited to do this for him because he has done so much for all of us.

So I have some questions. What is Ireland like over the holidays? Is the country as crazy about Christmas as the US is? Dad is from Mayo so what are the chances of us having a white Christmas? He's the only one in our family who's ever had one? What is Dublin like over the holidays? We'll be bringing Dad there for a night or two.

Also, if any of you have any suggestions of things to do over the holidays in Ireland with Dad please let us know? I cannot contain my excitement!

Thank You,
Amy

What a lovely post.. Your Dad is really lucky to have a daughter like you. Personally, I think Ireland is an amazing place at Christmas. There is a lovely atmosphere and I have happy memories of Dublin City Centre at Christmas Time. You mentioned The Late Late Toy Show, this really is a Christmas institution and is the most watched TV Show of the year. For me, that is when Christmas really starts. One of my favourite days is Christmas Eve, usually it means meeting friends and family in the local pub. Snow at Christmas is rare but we had a proper White Christmas in 2010 with snow for the week leading up to Christmas. You never know, it might happen this year. Make sure when you get over here to tune into Christmas FM, they come on air at the end of November and is the perfect soundtrack.

Like I said, There is nowhere like Ireland at Christmas, it's the biggest day of the year. Enjoy it and I hope it just as good as your Dad remembers it.

Ryan

ballsymchugh

does anyone have any contacts in RTE? this should get on the toy show!!

darahiggins

ballsymchugh wrote: »

does anyone have any contacts in RTE? this should get on the toy show!!

absolutely! great shout

meoklmrk91

darahiggins wrote: »

absolutely! great shout

Definitely, I know tickets are hard to come by but I think it would be lovely.

Well Amy,
You might not get a white Christmas but you will atleast get a few hard frosty mornings, which are lovely to go walking in as it is so peaceful. We are being warned that we are in for a hard winter, very cold with lots if snow, but we were all waiting for that last year and it never came. Could still happen though.

We love Christmas in Ireland, so there will be lots of events on and lots of shopping to do! Decorations everywhere, but while it might seem silly to be watching the TV while you are visiting keep an eye on commercials, we have some great Christmas ads which have been around for years, the most infamous of which is the coca cola ad, which always meant the start of Christmas for me and many others, the corn flakes ad and my personal favourite the Guinness ad.

Whatever you do make sure that you all pack warm clothes, it's very cold here at the moment!

Loughc

Hi Amy,

what a lovely first post, it certainly has captured the imaginations of all the boardies here, me included.

Firstly welcome to boards.ie and especially welcome to the Christmas Forum its nice and snug in here so enjoy your stay!

Keep an eye on this forum for upcoming events to go to and to watch out for. Also when you arrive check out local newspapers for any events on in the area, I'm not from the Mayo region myself so I couldn't help you there. But I'm sure you'll great loads of great tips from the guys here this really is a great place to discuss Christmas in Ireland, you are in safe hands.

Welcome again and enjoy your stay!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=374
Keep an eye on the weather forum to see if it will be a white Christmas - there are lots of variables and it is too soon to tell what the weather would be like at Christmas - to get snow in Mayo you would probably want cold wet air coming from the Arctic (north).

The last few years the cold has come from the east (Siberia essentially) and has dumped the snow on the east coast (Dublin)

Samhain

I hope you all have a lovely christmas in Mayo and your Dad rekindles his nostalgis for the ould sod.

Dont mean to burst your bubble but prolonged snow is the last thing you want if you are coming here on Holidays. I agree it is nice for a few days but it gets old very quickly when you cant go anywhere for 3 weeks.
In 2009 and 2010 the place came to a complete standstill and it was impossible to get anywhere (especially in Mayo where i live). It ruined the usual lovely family Christmas for us as nobody could get from A to B to visit friends and relatives, go the pub etc. I know loads of people in rural areas who could not get out of their homes for days as the roads were impassible.

I realise i am leaving myself open to the Bah humbug brigade but it is a major issue if it happens.

lisa_celtic

I have never missed a Christmas at home in all my 25 years although last year I split it between my family and his. All my plans are weather permitting as I live in Roscommon, home is Tipperary and boyfriends home is Sligo!

This year I finish work the 21st, I will go home (2 hours drive) on Christmas Eve morning. Will hang around with my nieces and nephews all day get some of their excitement. Go to mass at 8pm ( I only go at Christmas) and then to the pub for a few drinks, I will leave the pub be raging that i have to walk the two miles home as there will be no taxis working at 2am

Christmas Morning, I will get up go to my brothers house as my niece and nephew open there santa gifts go from there to my sisters to watch them open there gifts back to my mothers for lunch at 1.00pm (very early i know!) and then hop in the car and drive four hours to my boyfriends house (he will be with me down home to.)

We will have a very quite st stephens night this year as we will be going to Dublin the 27th and fly out to Las Vegas for New Years!

Rasmus

What a lovely post!! You are the sweetest person to do this for your dad - please let us know his reaction when you tell him!

You might not have a white Christmas but there's a chance you'll get some snow over the Christmas season - it has been pretty cold this winter so far.

Not only that, but Donegal's favourite weatherman (Postman Michael Gallagher!) has said he is “99% sure” the country will suffer heavy falls of snow. He was right about the snowpocalyse in 2010.
Apparently lots of berries at this time of year means it will be a very cold one (and there are many berries) : )

Has anyone forwarded this thread to RTE? I bet they'd entertain the idea of having a shout out for the family on the Toy Show, and they would more likely than not offer tickets. OP do you think you dad would like that?

The Discover Ireland website has a great event guide, and you could check out the Mayo site (http://www.mayo.ie/dnn/Home.aspx#.UJrIUIdrjJU)

There will also be loads of Christmas and farmers markets to check out all over the West. You will find yourself spoilt for choice in Dublin for things to do.

Good luck!

amyfitz91

Thank you all so much for your lovely replies. My Dad has been called away to a conference this weekend so we will be telling him tonight. I am so excited I can barely sit down.
As for the the late late toy show I don't think Dad would really be up for that. He's an extremely private person and I think all he wants to do is sit at home in my Grandparent's house and watch it in his own surroundings. It is a lovely sentiment though.
My sister and I are going to take a trip to the mall soon so we can keep ourselves occupied til Dad comes home. We'll be looking into what to bring on the trip while we're there. We can not believe we're leaving so soon!

Again, Thank You, Your little messages are so lovely,
Amy

paddy147

You could be in for a White Christmass here in Ireland this year.

Long term forecasts are not good.

This was 23rd and 24th December (Christmass Eve) 2010 for me stuck in Dublin Airport.:(:D

paddy147

4 wheel drive was the only way to get around in 2010 (and even then you could get a tad stuck).

darahiggins

amyfitz91 wrote: »

Thank you all so much for your lovely replies. My Dad has been called away to a conference this weekend so we will be telling him tonight. I am so excited I can barely sit down.
As for the the late late toy show I don't think Dad would really be up for that. He's an extremely private person and I think all he wants to do is sit at home in my Grandparent's house and watch it in his own surroundings. It is a lovely sentiment though.
My sister and I are going to take a trip to the mall soon so we can keep ourselves occupied til Dad comes home. We'll be looking into what to bring on the trip while we're there. We can not believe we're leaving so soon!

Again, Thank You, Your little messages are so lovely,
Amy

let us know how it goes!

WoollyRedHat

If you're in Dublin, try catch a christmas-themed play or pantomine, they're always fun. The Christmarkets in Dublin can be good too. The singers on Grafton St. are a good traditin and invoke a lively buzz and great atmosphere among all the rushing shoppers.

What we used to do every year was go to our local Christmas Carol service, there was something always lovely about that.

Anita Blow

Very nice first post!
I have family from America who recently spent their first Christmas here (At home in Mayo coincidentally!) and they loved it. If you're anywhere near Westport, the Quay Cottage restaurant down in Cinnamon Wharf was where we went on New Years and it was really nice.
Dublin is unbelievable at Christmas. Decorations are already being put up in the streets and the city looks brilliant, especially Grafton Street and George's Dock.
There'll be a Christmas Fair down at George's Dock which you should definitely go to. It has loads of handmade christmas presents and mulled wine.
Also be prepared for the World's best Christmas ads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVudFaYSjq0

amyfitz91

You guys are all so helpful and your replies have been the nicest things ever. We told Dad last night after an 8am-10pm day doing surgery. At first he really thought we were kidding him, it wasn't until we showed him the confirmation emails that he really believed us and then the only way I can describe his reaction was that of a kid on Christmas morning.
He was dead silent for a minute, just taking it all in, then cried like a baby and then walked around the house with the biggest ever and then bombed into the pool in celebration! He spent the rest of the night (after he had dried off) telling us of all the amazing things we could do together and how lovely Ireland is at Christmas.
His reaction has just made this amazing and I can't wait to fly over here in a couple of weeks.

Amy

angeldaisy

amyfitz91 wrote: »

You guys are all so helpful and your replies have been the nicest things ever. We told Dad last night after an 8am-10pm day doing surgery. At first he really thought we were kidding him, it wasn't until we showed him the confirmation emails that he really believed us and then the only way I can describe his reaction was that of a kid on Christmas morning.
He was dead silent for a minute, just taking it all in, then cried like a baby and then walked around the house with the biggest ever and then bombed into the pool in celebration! He spent the rest of the night (after he had dried off) telling us of all the amazing things we could do together and how lovely Ireland is at Christmas.
His reaction has just made this amazing and I can't wait to fly over here in a couple of weeks.

Amy

First time i've posted in this forum, but I just wanted to wish you all a wonderful trip over, I'm in tears thinking about how wonderful a thing it is you are all doing for your dad. Hope you have the best time ever:D

carrig2

What a feel-good story. As good as a Xmas film.

Moonbeam

Aww:)
I hope you have an amazing time with your dad in Ireland this christmas:)

Sound of Silence

I always thought that the Guinness Christmas advert was the closest to catching the the whole Christmassy feel in Ireland.

amyfitz91

Yes that commercial is making me so crazy excited!

paddy147

Sound of Silence wrote: »

I always thought that the Guinness Christmas advert was the closest to catching the the whole Christmassy feel in Ireland.

Sure they are all at it now.:rolleyes:

Last year it was Dunnes Stores with the snow falling and all the family around the table carving the turkey and pulling christmass crackers.


This year SuperValue have more or less coppied the exact same ad,and added their name and food into it instead.


Guinness ad was/is by far the best and most original looking.:)

rebel89

This is the nicest thread thats been on Boards in a long time:) I really hope ye have an amazing time and it takes your dad back to his childhood:)
Also, that Guinness add is where christmas starts for me!

Overflow

paddy147 wrote: »

4 wheel drive was the only way to get around in 2010 (and even then you could get a tad stuck).

Nice photos ! But even a 4x4 is useless without winter tyres, which most people don't have in Ireland.

Loughc

Overflow wrote: »

Nice photos ! But even a 4x4 is useless without winter tyres, which most people don't have in Ireland.

Which most people don't need in Ireland. 2010 was a freak occurrence and it could be decades before we can anything of the likes again!

Rasmus

Have fun and thanks for posting back! What a story!! I don't know you but I'm so happy for your family!

Tipsy McSwagger

Am I the only one who is jealous that her dad bombed into the pool

elaney

What a lovely post Op. I hope you have a great time while you are here.
You could also visit the christmas market in Galway its not far from Mayo and has a very christmassy atmosphere.

Rasmus

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Am I the only one who is jealous that her dad bombed into the pool

More impressed! A self made man living the dream : )

ibarelycare

I've tears in my eyes after reading about your dad's reaction This is so sweet, I would love to see what he's like when he gets here! Hope you and your family have an amazing Christmas in Ireland. And I hope you get a white Christmas!

Deedsie

I have to say Christmas Eve mass is a lovely part of my Christmas! I am not a religious person at all, but it is the one night of the year I actually enjoy mass! Its always very cold you can see the air as you breathe, no choice but to dress in your best and warmest clothes, everyone is smiling, you can feel it in the air, there is something different about this special night!

The main lights are turned off in the church, candles and low lights illuminate the altar. Kids excited about Santa are always warned to be in bed early by the priest! It's innocence is lovely! I also love oh holy night, what a powerful hymn that is! Hair pricks up on the back of my neck for the "fall on your knees"... Beautiful!

I hope you and your family have a very Happy Christmas in Ireland!

miss no stars

Deedsie wrote: »

I also love oh holy night, what a powerful hymn that is! Hair pricks up on the back of my neck for the "fall on your knees"... Beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/q5n6X9sUznI

Deedsie

miss no stars wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/embed/q5n6X9sUznI

It's a wonderful hymn!

I was trying to think of other things about an Irish Christmas that would be different to a US one, I apologise if these sound condescending....

Just thinking of stuff not mentioned before:

We say Happy Christmas as well as Merry Christmas. I prefer Happy, more traditional!

December 26th is St Stephens Day and not Boxing Day! Some people get very annoyed over this!

Fairytale of New York is the most popular Christmas song in Ireland, not sure how big it is in America?

Father Ted Christmas special is shown every year in Ireland and its great in case you have never seen it!

Lots of places in Ireland have Christmas morning charity swims! Very cold, but nice to do something for charity on Christmas Day!

We don't do Egg nog to my knowledge? I may be corrected on this!

Mulled wine is lovely on a cold December day, it warms you up incredibly well!

ibarelycare

Eggnog has been getting more popular over the past few years.

Another thing that's very popular here (probably in the States too tbh!) is cheesy Christmas jumpers. You'll see people wearing them on nights out in December, and on Christmas Eve. You can get them in Penneys, Dunnes Stores, Heatons, lots of places! Online as well http://www.funkychristmasjumpers.com/?gclid=CI-V6KjkwbMCFRFN4QodMWkA2w

Sunnyisland

Lovely thread and I hope your father and your family have a fantastic time back in Ireland as I am sure you will.

moceri

My father played the melodion
Outside at our gate;
There were stars in the morning east;
And they danced to his music.
Across the wild bogs his melodion called
To Lennons and Callans.
As I pulled on my trousers in a hurry
I knew some strange thing had happened.
Outside in the cow-house my mother
Made the music of milking;
The light of her stable-lamp was a star
And the frost of Bethlehem made it twinkle.
A water-hen screeched in the bog,
Mass-going feet
Crunched the wafer-ice on the pot-holes,
Somebody wistfully twisted the bellows wheel.
My child poet picked out the letters
On the grey stone,
In silver the wonder of a Christmas townland,
The winking glitter of a frosty dawn.
Cassiopeia was over
Cassidy's hanging hill,
I looked and three whin bushes rode across
The horizon - the Three Wise Kings.
An old man passing said:
"Can't he make it talk" -
The melodion, I hid in the doorway
And tightened the belt of my box-pleated coat.
I nicked six nicks on the door-post
With my penknife's big blade -
There was a little one for cutting tobacco.
And I was six Christmases of age.
My father played the melodion,
My mother milked the cows,
And I had a prayer like a white rose pinned
On the Virgin Mary's blouse.

therealme

As somebody who doesnt cry - that has just brought tears in my eyes!! What a lovely post.
Christmas here is a bit like Thanksgiving, everybody wants to be with their families (though after a few days that wears off lol!!), people rush around to get last minute shopping on Christmas Eve & meet relatives, generally a drink at the pub (we have to live up to our tradition) and then Christmas Day is all about family, gifts to each other, and the biggest dinner you will eat in the year.
In Dublin, there are lots of museums, try go to a theater to see a Christmas Show (not Broadway but can be a good laugh), there are some fab restaurants, shopping is good, (avoid O Connell street area after 6pm, has a tendency to have a not-so-nice element at night).
Please let us know how it goes - I think you will never really know just what it will mean to your Dad what you are doing for him.
Have a fantastic time & enjoy it all - when we loose our loved ones, it really helps to have memories to look back on at what can be such a happy or lonely time of year.

mathepac

Amy, thanks for the nice post. Your father is lucky to be a member of such a caring family. It sounds like you are a really tight-knit loving group and that is what Christmas anywhere is all about.

I hope the reality of what you find here doesn't disappoint. Remember your father is looking back through the rose-tinted spectacles of 30 years and a lot has changed here, including our Engmerican

darahiggins wrote: »

awesome! ...

Although the country is broke to the ropes, you will still see rabid consumerism in action at Christmas-time and the once wonderful mid-night Mass celebrated at 9:00pm to avoid having too many drunks in the congregation disrupting ceremonies after the pubs close.

If you can, join up with the local wren-boys (pronounced 'ran-boys') on St. Stephen's Day to get to meet neighbours and friends as you go house to house singing, dancing, playing. Your sig-tune / chant is:

"The wren [ran], the wren [ran]
The King of all birds
On Stephen's Day got caught in the furze
Up with the kettle
And down with the pan
And give us a penny
To bury the wren [ran]"

Some of our older [pre-Chistian] winter/Christmas traditions have been replaced by imports from America, UK and Europe, which may not be bad, but it is sad.

Have a great trip "is go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo aris" - transliteration goes something like "that we might be brought alive at this same again"

mathepac

I forgot to say that snow is impossible to predict with all the weather systems gone mad. Traditionally the Gulf Stream kept the west coast warm enough to make lasting snow a rarity, but that too has changed in recent times.

Try some traditional Irish Christmas food if you get the chance - roast goose, spiced beef, baked ham, pheasant, hare, rabbit etc. Leave that horrid American bird to the Americans at home. , but don't spare the spuds, the best (only?) present an Englishman gave to Ireland.

I deliberately answered your OP without looking at the intervening posts and my observations about change and the fast-disappearing traditional Irish Christmas seem sadly accurate.

My colloquialism, "broke to the ropes", is Irish economics-speak for "double-dip recession, heading for a treble"

Slan go foill.

paddy147

mathepac wrote: »

I forgot to say that snow is impossible to predict with all the weather systems gone mad. Traditionally the Gulf Stream kept the west coast warm enough to make lasting snow a rarity, but that too has changed in recent times.

Try some traditional Irish Christmas food if you get the chance - roast goose, spiced beef, baked ham, pheasant, hare, rabbit etc. Leave that horrid American bird to the Americans at home. , but don't spare the spuds, the best (only?) present an Englishman gave to Ireland.

I deliberately answered your OP without looking at the intervening posts and my observations about change and the fast-disappearing traditional Irish Christmas seem sadly accurate.

My colloquialism, "broke to the ropes", is Irish economics-speak for "double-dip recession, heading for a treble"

Slan go foill.

Howya......give us 3 batter burgers,3 curry chips,2 spice burgers and a bottle a coke there bud......;):pac::pac::D

mathepac

paddy147 wrote: »

Howya......give us 3 batter burgers,3 curry chips,2 spice burgers and a bottle a coke there bud......;):pac::pac::D

'Z dat you Tay'o, z me, Deco, yaknowworrimeean, righ'?. How's she cuttin'? How's yer belly for spots an' yer bum for wrinkles?

flanzer

Subscribed..... This thread has just flicked a switch and got me in the Christmas mood!

OP, You're a credit to your parents. You'll have a great time whatever you do. This little country of ours has a reputation for do things arseways and getting things wrong, but we do do Christmas well

paddy147

mathepac wrote: »

'Z dat you Tay'o, z me, Deco, yaknowworrimeean, righ'?. How's she cuttin'? How's yer belly for spots an' yer bum for wrinkles?

You might want to listen to this then.

98fm and their take on how to speak Dublin-eese.:pac::D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8c8aBWCbtc





Or Tommy Tiernan talking in a "Cork" accent..:pac::D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRm9Q2KfzBA&feature=related

fishy fishy

okay, here is my take on Christmas (West of Ireland).

toy Show - 30 Nov - you will be here for it. It was a must for every child to get to stay up late and see this - however, since "technology" came in and regular toys put aside, it has become a little boring. Your dad will prob sit to watch it, but won't sit there all night - also ask him about the billy barry kids on the show - as a fellow west of Ireland person, he is not allowed to have any "time" for the billy barry kids, who were mostly made up of rich kids from Dublin.

December 8 - this was always a traditional day for people from the country to come into the cities to shop for christmas. For instance, people from Connemra would come into Galway, people from the West of Ireland would head to Cork or Dublin. A traditional shopping day for the "country folk". I'm sure this is what your dad means bout heading to Dublin from the West of Ireland. Ask him about December 8.

Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve night - lots of people attend his. In the 80's you would also have the lads coming home from the Christmas Eve lock-in in the pub, and they the mass in at midnight before they went home. Back of the church, full of drunk people, laughing, singing, sniggering. Was worth going to mass just for the entertainment. Not sure if this still goes on as I "found the light" in the 80's and realized that god is just about as "real" as Santa.

Chrismtas Eve (daytime). Everybody meets up in town, friends, family, a great atmosphere especially early morning. Last minute shopping, going home to the "smells" of Christmas at the house. Usually the ham is build and baked on Christmas Eve ready for Christmas dinner the next day. Meet up for a Christmas drink in late afternoon/early evening with friends and family. Head home and most people rob slices of the freshly cooked ham and have a "hang sanger" for a Christmas eve snack. Christmas eve is the best day of the christmas season. Savour it.

Christmas Day is a very boring day, long and boring. The only plus is the dinner of turkey and ham. Usually everyone falls asleep after dessert, and wakes up again in time for turkey sandwiches. The more adventures go for a long walk to soak up the calories.. Also, the TV has all the extended versions of "soaps". The soaps in Ireland are miles ahead of the US soaps (all my children, etc). And if there are females in the house they will be glued to the "soaps" for approx 4 - 5 hours on Christmas day/night. Guaranteed!

ST Stephens Day (day after Christms). A lovely day - usually people head out, go for walks, head into town, meet up with friends that night. Very relaxed laid back day when all the work has been done and you can now savor your christmas holidays.

The days after Christmas are very relaxing and fun.

New Years Eve - every lunatic in Ireland will be out drinking on this night - its a messy situation. You may be better off going to a house party of one of your family. It is NOT a nice night to go out to pubs (a bit like Paddy's Night, Valentines Night, Arthurs Night or any other night that you are "supposed" to go out).


Differences:

Ireland tends to have christmas as holiday time - i.e. people get lots of time off, they at least get Christmas and the Day After (people working in shops). IN the USA once christmas day is over its back to work next day - horrible.

USA has a massive build up to Christmas and it ends up being a let down whereas in Ireland people revel in the christmas season - we don't have the same one track mind about getting back to work next day. People work hard, and enjoy hard on their time off.

We don't have salvation army ringing bells here, but make sure when you give money to those more unfortunate you are giving to a proper charity - your family here will help you weed out the true charities from the bogus.

Weather - we hardly ever get snow, but it could be damp, or it could be lovely and clear and crispy. We take what we are given.

amyfitz91

Wow these replies are all so lovely and educating!! It's so close now. I can hardly wait. I was leaving class the other day and got a text from my Dad. "Mammy just called, she has begun making puddings and mince pies" Because I was a running late for another class I didn't get to text back but after class I got a call from him asking if I had gotten his message. My Mom told me he was practically crying with happiness in anticipation of his mom's dinner. It's hilarious because he's called his Mom Mom for the last number of years because people over here don't know who he's referring to when he says Mammy but over the last few days she's Mammy again. Oh and yes, it is Dec 8th that he plans to go to Dublin. He wants to bring us all to Brown Tomas? and pick out gifts because apparently its amazing during the holidays and it was his ambition when he was younger to buy something there for his family for the holidays if he had the money. He also wants to go to Henry Street? because he said the atmosphere there is truly original at Christmas.
Again thank you all. The respond I have gotten from all the way across the Atlantic is wonderful and shows the spirit of this time of year.

Amy

Rasmus

Wow, this is like a contemporary Irish Christmas movie!! Forget Love/Hate - this is the cracker of 2012!!

ibarelycare

amyfitz91 wrote: »

Wow these replies are all so lovely and educating!! It's so close now. I can hardly wait. I was leaving class the other day and got a text from my Dad. "Mammy just called, she has begun making puddings and mince pies" Because I was a running late for another class I didn't get to text back but after class I got a call from him asking if I had gotten his message. My Mom told me he was practically crying with happiness in anticipation of his mom's dinner. It's hilarious because he's called his Mom Mom for the last number of years because people over here don't know who he's referring to when he says Mammy but over the last few days she's Mammy again. Oh and yes, it is Dec 8th that he plans to go to Dublin. He wants to bring us all to Brown Tomas? and pick out gifts because apparently its amazing during the holidays and it was his ambition when he was younger to buy something there for his family for the holidays if he had the money. He also wants to go to Henry Street? because he said the atmosphere there is truly original at Christmas.
Again thank you all. The respond I have gotten from all the way across the Atlantic is wonderful and shows the spirit of this time of year.

Amy

Grafton Street and Henry Street would be the two main shopping streets in Dublin (both pedestrianised streets) . They're both on either side of the River Liffey. Grafton Street is on the south side, and Henry Street on the north side. In Dublin, the south side is considered more affluent and upper class, whereas the north side would be more working class. Grafton Street is beautiful, that's where Brown Thomas is. It's a very expensive store, full of designer clothes, makeup, handbags, etc. It's really lovely around Christmas though, and the lights on Grafton Street will be gorgeous. No doubt everything will be on a much smaller scale than in America though!

Henry Street certainly has character. It will also be lit up beautifully for Christmas. I personally prefer Henry Street for shopping. It has a large department store (Debenhams) as well as a shopping centre (Jervis). I'd say your dad is looking forward to all of the "salt of the earth", inner-city Dublin women who have market stalls (legal and otherwise!) in and around Henry Street. Some of them don't even have stalls, just boxes where they sell their wares from. They'll be selling everything from selection boxes (do you have those in America?), cigarette lighters, wrapping paper (anyone who shops in Dublin will be familiar with them shouting "wrapping paper five for fifty!" in their thick Dublin accents ), decorations, fruit, clothes...etc.