Nollaig na mBan. Is it sexist?

Frozen Veg

Is Nollaig na mBan sexist? Discuss

Once upon a time in Ireland the Celts celebrated the feminine energy with a feast for the Ladies of the Land and their hearts. It was an obligatory feast that allowed women to have a massive party without the presence of their men. They would leave the house chores for their husbands and head to the fairy rings. There they would dance, drink mead and bless Mother Earth so that the spring would bring forth a good crop. The date was not stable, but it ranged from the 3rd to the 6th of January. It coincided with the end of The Christmas Celebrations, and the beginning of the end of winter. Known as Nollaig na mBan in Irish, Women’s Little Christmas is becoming a very strong tradition in Ireland again.

Allinall

Absolutely not sexist.

I'm a man, and intend to go out and enjoy myself tonight.

The Mighty Quinn

Well, being honest about it I'd say 90%+ of Christmas dinners in Ireland in 2022 were also prepared by women, so, that's not exactly fair either is it. I think Nollaig na mBan is a little silly, but can't disagree that some recognition for women isn't a bad thing is it.

Eoinbmw

Stop now It's a little bit if Irish Tradition and the Women of Ireland deserve the day!

elperello

Not at all sexist.

It's become a modern take on an old tradition and is a way for women to celebrate their womanhood.

Long may it continue.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120073292#Comment_120073292

How do know a man cooked the Xmas dinner ? He’ll tell you a few times throughout the day 😂😂

silverharp

possibly transphobic

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120073320#Comment_120073320

True but I have to laugh when I hear de women claim they never have a national day! Between Nollaig na mBan, International Womans Day, Mothers Day and the new Lá le Bhríde etc., they have quite the few.

whisky_galore

It's a nice, uniquely Irish tradition. It isn't copied from the British or Americans for once.

EmmetSpiceland

I’d say the Men’s Rights lot might think it is. Actually surprised they’re not more “up in arms” about it.

They never like it when women get something they’re not.

DellyBelly

Not at all. It's like saying March the 14th which is the day for men is sexist...

lertsnim

Sexist how? It's not like women have been given an extra days holiday from work or that men are banned from going out tonight.

timmyntc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120073616#Comment_120073616

There does be more complaining about the "Men's Rights lot" than actual complains from the Men's Right lot!

Have men's rights advocates ever complained about nollaig na mban emmet?

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120073474#Comment_120073474

Great day for cafes and restaurants too.

Lots of women having late breakfast, brunch, long lunches all over the place.

Good on the sisters.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074116#Comment_120074116

Sure that's every day - going by the cafe in my local town :)

EmmetSpiceland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074110#Comment_120074110

Did you read what I said? I’m surprised that they haven’t.

Probably shouldn’t be, though, the Men’s Rights “thing” is more of an English setup so they might not be aware of it.

The public “face” of it is, usually, some bald, dogfaced, bloke giving an interview sitting on a park bench with a bag of cans during the day.

Maybe someone on here will inform head office about the day and they can get all “worked up” over it.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074383#Comment_120074383

They're losing the run of themselves.

Stacks of pancakes with maple syrup and bacon all over the shop.

Where will it all end? 🙂

walterking

I thought Lidl would be closed early today in celebration of Lidl Women's Christmas 😁 - They've missed a marketing trick.

(I'll get my coat)

dxhound2005

The definitions for the words Sexist and Sexism are sexist these days and should be brought up to date. There is no justification now for singling out any of the sexes when defining the word.

sexist

characterized by or showing prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.

sexism

prejudice or discrimination based on sex or gender, especially against women and girls.

Jim 77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074116#Comment_120074116

"Good on the sisters."

Channelling Nell McCafferty there... 

In my part of the country it wasn't a thing and I read about it for the first time in Peig in LC Irish class. It's a great tradition, glad it hasn't died out and definitely not sexist, quite the opposite in fact.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120077278#Comment_120077278

Nell and her comrades did the heavy lifting.

ErnestBorgnine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074475#Comment_120074475

This thread is about Nollaig na mBan, not about inventing people and scenarios to throw childish insults at.

Perhaps you should create a Smugly Insult the Imaginary People in your Head thread?

waterwelly

Ladies day at the races

Irish country women's association.

It's shameful the way men are treated in this country and not a peep about it on liveline.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120077947#Comment_120077947

ICA in a spot of bother at the moment.

Some of the members organised a protest outside head office to mark Nollaigh na mBan which is a first.

waterwelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120077965#Comment_120077965

It's surely an outdated organization by now anyway.

A bit like joining the nuns.

Backstreet Moyes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074475#Comment_120074475

You made up a scenario that is not real or in no way related to this thread.

You are now insulting members of men's rights movement, again who nobody mentioned here or are in anyway related to the thread.

You are talking about people getting worked up about something yet you are getting worked up over something you brought up.

It might be time you read your signature and practice what you preach.

EmmetSpiceland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120077912#Comment_120077912

Whoa there, Ernie, slow your roll. The thread is, indeed, about that and, when I think of the day, the first thing I think of ‘I wonder will the MRA types start kicking up a fuss about it this year?’. Nothing wrong with that.

I can tell you, right now, that these lads do exist. Always griping about how bad men have it, these days, and how terrible women are. They don’t seem as “vocal” over here, aside from the online sphere, but that could start to spill over with the high levels of angry, middle aged, men online these days.

Hopefully, that won’t happen and they stick to their online ranting and don’t “poison” the TV or airwaves with their whinging.

looksee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120073474#Comment_120073474

Hands up all those who have ever heard a woman complaining about not having a national day?

ErnestBorgnine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120078020#Comment_120078020

"..usually bald, dogfaced...etc" <- This is the part where you start inventing people that you can insult and compare yourself favourably too.

It's extremely juvenile & narcissistic behaviour. You should grow up and do something productive.

Nobody cares.

Rothko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120077912#Comment_120077912

His comment is so ironic lol. There he is getting all "worked up" about the imaginary men in his head.

EmmetSpiceland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120078253#Comment_120078253

Ah, R, ‘tis yourself. Have you any opinion on the subject, yourself, or will you just be continuing with your hurler on the ditch schtick, commenting on comments?

I know you’ve had complaints in the past, and have a bang of Men’s Rights about you, but any “issues” with Nollaig na mBan?

cheese sandwich

In the words of Spinal Tap: what’s wrong with being sexy?

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058278442/nollaig-na-mban-is-it-sexist

mission accomplished lol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120073474#Comment_120073474

Is that new February one specifically a women day?

I've never heard any woman complain that we don't have a national day.

BaywatchHQ

I've never heard of it, another ancient tradition wiped out by the social engineering plantation in the 1600s.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120096651#Comment_120096651

Making a great comeback now and about time.

Maybe you heard it called Little Christmas?

sporina

i'm surprised it not called "People's Little Christmas" nowadays.. no disrespect meant to anyone.. tis just so hard to keep up to date (forgive me, i'm old)

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120073327#Comment_120073327

I cooked the Christmas Dinner.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120096800#Comment_120096800

The women have reclaimed it with gusto and made it their own.

None of us getting any younger anyway 🙂

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120082621#Comment_120082621

Feck off. February is my bday month. Its all mine!

If I could only remember which day it is.

Strumms

It’s not sexist. Neither is Mother’s Day. ;)

the_pen_turner

im suprised at all the anwers here. of course its sexist. how could it not be. its a day to celibrate half he population for everything they do when the other half is not celibrated in any similar way. its not a huge problem and not doing a lot of harm . its not pushed like other days .

historically it made a lot of sense but now it doesnt .

boardlady

I think I might be the first woman to comment ...

I f***ing hate nollaig na mBan in all its present day incarnations. I couldn't give a flying .... how it came about originally, but seeing how my blood is already up - from something work related here - i'm going to vent my spleen!

Women did/still do the vast majority of cooking and general household tasks (GENERALLY, before Enda/Aengus/Ferdia comes along and complains that he loves to cook) Alongside being expected to have the babies and, in most cases, hold down a job to necessitate them to be the 'second borrower'. Then along comes 'tradition' with a patronising little day where we're 'allowed' go out - which never suits as it's often a school night - and we're supposed to be delighra with ourselves because somebody else is picking up shite for the one day out of the 365 ..

God that feels better 😁