Since when do we call the 26th of December "Boxing day" in Ireland?

seanpjs93

I've never heard anyone in Ireland refer to the 26th as "Boxing Day" especially media outlets until this morning when I was reading the latest on Google News, I had thought initially it was a British paper article, but when I clicked the link it brought me to the Irish Independent's website. Have I missed something here and we refer to it as "Boxing Day" here too now?

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/higgins-pays-tribute-to-odriscoll-3337516.html

RossyG

Boxing Day is better than St Stephen's as it's easier for me to pronounce. I have trouble with ssssibilant ssssoundsssss.

looksee

Nooooooo! I've only just got the hang of calling it Stephens Day.

theteal

With atheism on the rise it was bound to happen in fairness

GreenWolfe

If you look at the end of the article it was obtained from a UK news agency, the Press Association. Mystery solved, methinks.

Sam Kade

theteal wrote: »

With atheism on the rise it was bound to happen in fairness

It's the first weekday after Christmas day in the UK, how exactly do you connect it with atheism?

IRE60

two culprits

a) the author : Press Association
b) lazy subbing

C

coylemj

IRE60 wrote: »

two culprits

a) the author : Press Association
b) lazy subbing

C

There's only one culprit, you can hardly blame the PA since their main market is the UK and over there it's called Boxing Day.

It's not hard to find instances of where the Indo simply lifts articles written by journos for a UK audience without checking it for suitability for verbatim reproduction for an Irish audience.

Here's a few examples....

http://www.independent.ie/search/?q=londonderry

jack presley

Independent.ie is an awful website. Too much reliance on news agency stories that are treated as home stories even if they're from the UK and too much interest in b-list celebrity stories. Yesterday they had Kathryn Thomas in the sun, today it was Amanda Byrum skiing. Who cares?

EDIT - check out this groundbreaking news story currently breaking on the Indo website.

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/celebrity-news-gossip/laura-whitmore-loses-her-phone-on-the-piste-in-switzerland-3342286.html

Luca Brasi

Boxing Day is a a great day for having a second listen to the Queens Speech

Tombo2001

A neat extension of the 'Why would an Irish person wear a poppy' thread.

iverjohnston

For people living near the Border, where for many years the BBC analog channels were available by sticking up an ariel, the Christmas issue of the TV Times, or the Radio Times would be bought. As the signal was not available to most of the rest of the country, no listings were published in most local papers for the 3 channels available (bbc1, bbc2 & utv) It was of course always called boxing day in the TV times, so perhaps the name stuck in these areas?

coylemj

iverjohnston wrote: »

For people living near the Border, where for many years the BBC analog channels were available by sticking up an ariel, the Christmas issue of the TV Times, or the Radio Times would be bought. As the signal was not available to most of the rest of the country, no listings were published in most local papers for the 3 channels available (bbc1, bbc2 & utv) It was of course always called boxing day in the TV times, so perhaps the name stuck in these areas?

It's also called 'Boxing Day' in the Radio Times and in the TV listings of UK papers which people in the south consume by the truckload but you still won't hear anyone down here call Dec 26th anything other than 'St. Stephen's Day'.

Do the locals in Cushendall or West Belfast talk about a city called 'Londonderry'? Didn't think so, that's your theory out the window.

iverjohnston

[QUOTE=coylemj;.

Do the locals in Cushendall or West Belfast talk about a city called 'Londonderry'? Didn't think so, that's your theory out the window.[/QUOTE]


Well coylemj, it was only a theory I was advancing, not claiming it was a definitive fact. What has the habits/choices of people in a selective region of Northern Ireland got to do with a question about the choice of name for a particular day by people in the Republic?

coylemj

iverjohnston wrote: »

Well coylemj, it was only a theory I was advancing, not claiming it was a definitive fact. What has the habits/choices of people in a selective region of Northern Ireland got to do with a question about the choice of name for a particular day by people in the Republic?

You said in reference to people living in border areas who picked up BBC & UTV....

iverjohnston wrote: »

It was of course always called boxing day in the TV times, so perhaps the name stuck in these areas?

My point is that people in NI were also exposed to constant references to 'Londonderry' but choose to apply their own name to the city. The same applies to people in the south who watch UK TV and read vast loads of UK newspapers and magazines yet we still refuse to use the term 'Boxing Day'.

If you read the entire thread you'll see that there is actually no cultural issue here, the Irish Independent lifted a story from a UK source which referred to 'Boxing Day', that's how the confusion arose.

Conway635

Kind of related:

I was, for a number of years, the Irish correspondent for a UK trade magazine. They had quite a few subscribers in the Republic, so though it would be a good idea to have at least one full page of ROI news/photos each week, written by someone on the ground.

The problems I had with the English sub editors . . .

Garda / Gardai and when each is appropriate.

The Dail . . . I had someone change a piece from "Martin Cullen announced in the Dail on Tuesday" to "Martin Cullen told The Mail newspaper on Tuesday"

and I cringed when seeing my description of a remote village in Donegal changed to "a quaint moorland hamlet"

C635

IRE60

I was on the Tec/Production/pre-press end of a paper here and we used to take in copy from the UK.
Always had to be on the lookout for "our boys" referring to British army soldiers! Or if there was a football international on there was a huge rise in the copy to references to 1966!

coylemj

IRE60 wrote: »

I was on the Tec/Production/pre-press end of a paper here and we used to take in copy from the UK.
Always had to be on the lookout for "our boys" referring to British army soldiers! Or if there was a football international on there was a huge rise in the copy to references to 1966!

Clearly the Indo doesn't bother with that type of filtering these days, what they lift from their UK sources goes straight onto the presses here - 'Boxing Day', 'Londonderry' - sure it's all grand, who'll notice anyway?

SiegfriedsMum

I have noticed in recent years in Ireland a rise in the Steven's Day gestapo, people who leap down the throats of anyone who doesn't call December 26th "St Steven's Day", and who insist everyone else conform to their demands to call it "St Steven's Day".

They don't seem to be too concerned about what other call other saints days, or whether or not people conform to not calling Ascension Thursday by the name they consider the "proper" name, but for some strange reason they have very strong and even aggressive views about forcing everyone to call December 26th "St Steven's Day".

jack presley

SiegfriedsMum wrote: »

I have noticed in recent years in Ireland a rise in the Steven's Day gestapo, people who leap down the throats of anyone who doesn't call December 26th "St Steven's Day", and who insist everyone else conform to their demands to call it "St Steven's Day".

They don't seem to be too concerned about what other call other saints days, or whether or not people conform to not calling Ascension Thursday by the name they consider the "proper" name, but for some strange reason they have very strong and even aggressive views about forcing everyone to call December 26th "St Steven's Day".

To be fair, most people call it St. Stephenses Day and not St. Stephen's Day

coylemj

SiegfriedsMum wrote: »

I have noticed in recent years in Ireland a rise in the Steven's Day gestapo, people who leap down the throats of anyone who doesn't call December 26th "St Steven's Day", and who insist everyone else conform to their demands to call it "St Steven's Day".

Whatever you choose to call Dec 26th, you might at least spell the name correctly, it's Stephen, not Steven.

westies4ever

SiegfriedsMum wrote: »

I have noticed in recent years in Ireland a rise in the Steven's Day gestapo, people who leap down the throats of anyone who doesn't call December 26th "St Steven's Day", and who insist everyone else conform to their demands to call it "St Steven's Day".

This - Im from the North originally (catholic) and I call it Boxing day - everyone in the North does. I get corrected all the time for it but it just comes automatically.

SiegfriedsMum

coylemj wrote: »

Whatever you choose to call Dec 26th, you might at least spell the name correctly, it's Stephen, not Steven.

My goodness, now the st steven's gestapo are even instructing us how to spell it! My understanding is Stephen can be spelled Steven or Stephen, as in St Steven's Catholic Community or St Steven's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. However, if you feel so strongly about it you insist everyone spells it your preferred way, then that's your preference. I prefer diversity and tolerance myself.

jack presley

SiegfriedsMum wrote: »

My goodness, now the st steven's gestapo are even instructing us how to spell it! My understanding is Stephen can be spelled Steven or Stephen, as in St Steven's Catholic Community or St Steven's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. However, if you feel so strongly about it you insist everyone spells it your preferred way, then that's your preference. I prefer diversity and tolerance myself.

Good work with the Google there to get yourself out of it.

SiegfriedsMum

jack presley wrote: »

Good work with the Google there to get yourself out of it.

I was never in it! I am fully aware that Stephen can be spelled Steven or Stephen, and I am sort of amused that the spelling Gestapo instructs us to spell it the way they prefer. Ireland used to be a tolerant country, but now we have all these guys going around bossing everyone else and barking instructions to them.

coylemj

SiegfriedsMum wrote: »

I was never in it! I am fully aware that Stephen can be spelled Steven or Stephen, and I am sort of amused that the spelling Gestapo instructs us to spell it the way they prefer. Ireland used to be a tolerant country, but now we have all these guys going around bossing everyone else and barking instructions to them.

Hankering back to the good old days when we were a tolerant society while at the same time labelling people you disagree with as the 'Gestapo' is a bit two-faced.

People in glasshouses.....

SiegfriedsMum

coylemj wrote: »

Hankering back to the good old days when we were a tolerant society while at the same time labelling people you disagree with as the 'Gestapo' is a bit two-faced.

People in glasshouses.....

I neither agreed or disagreed with your desire, and instructions, for everyone to conform to your preferred spelling. There is nothing two-faced about being amused by what I referred to as the "spelling gestapo".

Part of the way the Gestapo behaved was to bark instructions and order others to obey them, and your barking instructions and ordering others to use your preferred spelling is why I labelled you the "spelling Gestapo".

IRE60

Well, there are derivative spelling of many names - cultural differences take a hand.

But its called St. Stephen's Day and perhaps not St. Stefan's Day as it is in Poland.

Try not throwing stones at the Gestapo because you spelled it improperly. Don't go off on one: "conform to your preferred spelling" - its not his preferred spelling - it is the spelling. You cant simply deviate - because it suits your argument after being shot down.

Siegfried - since you're writing your own rules on naming conversions

On the 17th of March its

Happy St (please select)
Nabil
Patirki
Padrig
Patrik
Patrici
Patrik
Patrik
Patriek
Patrick
Patrik
Pátrikur
Patrik
Patric
Patrik
Patrikios
Patrik
Patrekur
Pádraic
Patrizio
Patricius
Patriks
Patrikas
Patrizju
Pherick
Patrik
Patryk
Patrício
Patriciu
Patrik
Pàdraig
Patrik
Patrik
Patricio
Patrik
Patricio
Patrik
Padrig

Day

?

Be my guest "renaming" that day as well...

SiegfriedsMum

IRE60 wrote: »

Well, there are derivative spelling of many names - cultural differences take a hand.

But its called St. Stephen's Day and perhaps not St. Stefan's Day as it is in Poland.

Try not throwing stones at the Gestapo because you spelled it improperly. Don't go off on one: "conform to your preferred spelling" - its not his preferred spelling - it is the spelling. You cant simply deviate - because it suits your argument after being shot down.

Siegfried - since you're writing your own rules on naming conversions

On the 17th of March its

Happy St (please select)
Nabil
Patirki
Padrig
Patrik
Patrici
Patrik
Patrik
Patriek
Patrick
Patrik
Pátrikur
Patrik
Patric
Patrik
Patrikios
Patrik
Patrekur
Pádraic
Patrizio
Patricius
Patriks
Patrikas
Patrizju
Pherick
Patrik
Patryk
Patrício
Patriciu
Patrik
Pàdraig
Patrik
Patrik
Patricio
Patrik
Patricio
Patrik
Padrig

Day

?

Be my guest "renaming" that day as well...

I dont need your permission to name, or rename, something.

If you, too, think you not only have a monopoly on "correct" spelling and also to instruct others to obey your dictat, that's entirely a matter for you and of no concern to anyone else.

Not being a catholic, I have little interest or knowledge of saints days, so am the worst person to ask about the dates of all your various saints.

IRE60

SiegfriedsMum wrote: »

I dont need your permission to name, or rename, something.

If you, too, think you not only have a monopoly on "correct" spelling and also to instruct others to obey your dictat, that's entirely a matter for you and of no concern to anyone else.

Not being a catholic, I have little interest or knowledge of saints days, so am the worst person to ask about the dates of all your various saints.

I find much of the above bordering on hysterical and some of the statement particularly redundant to the issue at hand. The issue of spelling has little to do with faith, it's to do with accuracy.

Yet again, I have some sympathy for poor Siegfried. The histrionics here dictate that I leave this "conversation" that has, IMO, gone off the rails.

SiegfriedsMum

IRE60 wrote: »

The histrionics here dictate that I leave this "conversation" that has, IMO, gone off the rails.

Is that the cyber equivalent of storming out of a room with a parting shot and slamming the door behind you, ensuring that no one is able to discuss further with you and you get the last word?

I think that's what the psycho jonnies call "passive aggressive".

SiegfriedsMum

As a postscript, we were watching an episode of the West Wing last evening and President Bartlett mentioned what they would be doing on "boxing day".

saabsaab

I know an old thread but is 'Boxing Day' on the rise here?

donegal_man

Virtually everyone I know in Donegal calls it Boxing Day including my partner's Catholic family.

Str8outtaWuhan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/82477257#Comment_82477257

In the case of Londonderry that is it's official name in the UK despite what people would locally say.

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121533600#Comment_121533600

From Google..

'Though Northern Ireland celebrates Boxing Day, the Republic of Ireland to the south celebrates St. Stephen's Day instead. And on December 26, pockets of people across the entire island continue the tradition of Wren Day, or Lá an Dreolín.'

I guess Donegal qualifies are Northern Ireland. Still I like Stephen's day myself..

iniscealtra

I have never heard anyone call it Boxing Day. Always St Stevens day, I would associate that with English tv.

odyssey06

If you're talking about say English Premier League fixtures on the 26th then Boxing Day might get used here in reference to the games.

Likewise for UK TV, or online sales from UK retailers.

I don't think the first two would have increased, so if there is a rise then maybe down to the sales ads.

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121533624#Comment_121533624

A few in Dublin otherwise no.

elperello

Returned emigrants who have spent years in the UK will often say Boxing Day.

Str8outtaWuhan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121533612#Comment_121533612

Considering their record in referendums, they have a lot in common with their unionist breathern.

Lewis_Benson

St Stephenses day

growleaves

Boxing Day and St. Stephen's Day are both religious-related.

Boxing Day is when Methodists and other members of Protestant churches would go around with poor boxes to collect money for 'the unfortunate', and in some cases this was done in reverence to St. Stephen (depending on the denominational beliefs about saints).

Of course people can say whatever they like but substituting a Protestant-themed holiday in place a Catholic one for no reason seems like an odd thing to do.

JeffKenna

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/82637954#Comment_82637954

She didn't have much to say for herself this year🤔

odyssey06

Happy Boxing Day Stephen.

Macdarack

Soon enough we will have to call it اضرب يوم المرأة الخاص بك
اضرب يوم المرأة الخاص بك Day the way we're going .

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121537383#Comment_121537383

I've read it came about when the gentry would make up a gift box for their servants or the poor?

elperello

https://www.titanichotelbelfast.com/christmas/boxing-day

Bit late for this year but you could put it in the diary for 24 🙂

Rubberchikken

St Stephens day . Always. Couldn't start using Boxing Day term. 🥱😄

con747

Another 11 year old zombie thread resurrected ffs.

Quitelife

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2056840444/since-when-do-we-call-the-26th-of-december-boxing-day-in-ireland

The Irish Independent is a collection of journalists who are more British than Irish so no great surprise, a lot of their WOKE friends live in London and they do be trying to impress them with articles similar to the London tabloids .