Traditions @ Christmas that are uniquely Irish

Pj! · 24-12-2010 10:54PM

Turtyturd wrote: »

Eating the ham drunk on Christmas eve.

Very true!

ollaetta · 24-12-2010 10:56PM

This might be a Dublin only one but the practice of visiting loads of relatives houses on Christmas morning. Used to involve loads of drink pre reduction in drink driving limit.

Oh and, nearly forgot, new outfits had to be bought for these visits.

robp · 24-12-2010 11:47PM

One Irish tradition is Nollaig na mBan or Women's Christmas. In celebration of the feast of the Epiphany in Ireland, traditionally January 6th marked by Nollaig na mBan or Women's Little Christmas.

On this day it is the tradition in Ireland for the women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas, while the men folk stay at home and handle all the chores. It is also common for children to buy their mothers and grandmothers presents on this day, though this custom is gradually being overtaken by Mothers Day.

Although Nollaig na mBan is slowly dying out in many parts of Ireland, in Co. Cork on the South West coast, the tradition is still very strong. Many bars and restaurants in Cork City report a near 100% female clientele on this day, as the Corkonian women meet up with girl friends, sisters, aunts and mothers to celebrate their own little Christmas with Nollaig na mBan.

admiralofthefleet · 24-12-2010 11:50PM

a fight and a screaming match

krudler · 24-12-2010 11:50PM

pmcmahon wrote: »

and roses!,don't get me started on the bastards who give quality street :mad:

Quality Street ftw, way nicer

pablomakaveli · 25-12-2010 12:18AM

Having a selection box for breakfast on christmas morning.

j_nolan · 25-12-2010 12:28AM

After the last bite of dinner, saying, 'Sure we have a bit to ate every day.'

cassid · 25-12-2010 01:10AM

chocolate for breakfast- (its the best time to eat it)

repeats and bad films on the telly!

what ever happend to carol singing, it was a big thing when I was growing up, has it disappeared?

confusticated · 25-12-2010 01:17AM

Christmas swim on coastal areas...not sure if this exists in other countries?

Cortina_MK_IV · 05-12-2016 01:21PM

I've just been reminded of a gift of a purse I gave to someone years ago. I don't think I'd ever done it before and I remember a thing my mother used to do and "Handsel" (sp.) a wallet, purse or handbag. I put a shiny €2 coin in it and tried to explain what I believed was an old Irish tradition. The girl (not Irish) was fascinated by it and appreciated the sentiment.

I've seen reference to it at Christmas/New Year but my mother wouldn't give a purse/handbag without doing it whatever the time of year.

Anybody still do it or is it gone by the wayside?

stimpson · 05-12-2016 01:30PM

Cortina_MK_IV wrote: »

I remember a thing my mother used to do and "Handsel" (sp.) a wallet

So hot right now.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 05-12-2016 01:35PM

The single candle in the window on Christmas Eve.

A symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph are its origins. It was also used as secret code amongst Catholics in Penal times. The candle at the window indicated that the house was a safe haven for Priests to say Mass.

Cortina_MK_IV · 05-12-2016 01:40PM

stimpson wrote: »

So hot right now.

Eh?

FunLover18 · 05-12-2016 01:46PM

Saying "Stephens's Day".

ohnonotgmail · 05-12-2016 01:50PM

Cortina_MK_IV wrote: »

I've just been reminded of a gift of a purse I gave to someone years ago. I don't think I'd ever done it before and I remember a thing my mother used to do and "Handsel" (sp.) a wallet, purse or handbag. I put a shiny €2 coin in it and tried to explain what I believed was an old Irish tradition. The girl (not Irish) was fascinated by it and appreciated the sentiment.

I've seen reference to it at Christmas/New Year but my mother wouldn't give a purse/handbag without doing it whatever the time of year.

Anybody still do it or is it gone by the wayside?

you mean there are people who would give somebody an empty purse or wallet? talk about giving somebody bad luck.

ETA: i think the spelling is hansel but i'm open to correction on that.

currants · 05-12-2016 02:03PM

kerryman12 wrote: »

butter loaf,
my father goes on about it ever year - reminds him of his youth. He trys to get us to east it with him but we all hate it - so he has to eat it along. He usually finished the loaf by the start of march :eek:

What is butter loaf? I've never heard of it, is it a Kerry thing?

seamus · 05-12-2016 02:05PM

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Thought that was just culchies?

No way. True, blue dubs in our house and it was always a big fnck off fry-up on Xmas morning. More food than you could possibly eat, 3 pans of bread toasted before the morning was out, gallons of tea brewed.

We used to have a fry up the odd Sunday, but there was never any matching the Xmas day one. I still do it, but my wife wouldn't be a huge fry eater and my daughter's barely out of nappies. When the kids are approaching their teens, I'll be taking up the mantle and cooking the fnck off fries.

cbyrd · 05-12-2016 02:24PM

Cortina_MK_IV wrote:

I've just been reminded of a gift of a purse I gave to someone years ago. I don't think I'd ever done it before and I remember a thing my mother used to do and "Handsel" (sp.) a wallet, purse or handbag. I put a shiny â‚¬2 coin in it and tried to explain what I believed was an old Irish tradition. The girl (not Irish) was fascinated by it and appreciated the sentiment.

Cortina_MK_IV wrote:

I've seen reference to it at Christmas/New Year but my mother wouldn't give a purse/handbag without doing it whatever the time of year.

Cortina_MK_IV wrote:

Anybody still do it or is it gone by the wayside?

My grandad (did), my mam and me...
In business, we always referred to it as handsel Monday, (usually the first Monday back to work in the new year)

Before we went in the door we threw in coins to bring good business that year.
Also when ever I moved into a new house, I always throw coins in, before anyone steps over the threshold, for luck that it'll never be a poor house.
I think it's done in Scotland too but it's a dying tradition. One I won't be giving up though.

ScrubsfanChris · 05-12-2016 02:53PM

Ruu_Old wrote: »

Bah, USA biscuits! You had the finish the top layer or else no second layer.
Cadburys selection boxes!

Bollox to that, sneak a few from the bottom layer when no ones looking, then place the top layer back on.

Social Clubs (like my local rugby club) being jam packed on Christmas day because the normal pub goers had nowhere else to go.

looksee · 05-12-2016 03:03PM

Sorry folks, some of these are not particularly Irish. I can only speak for English traditions. The stirring the pudding happens in England too, The Sunday five weeks before Christmas has the words 'Stir up, we beseech thee, oh Lord' in the Book of Common Prayer of the C of E five weeks before Christmas, and since Victorian times this was the day that the Christmas pudding was stirred. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stir-up_Sunday

The idea of giving a purse a coin in it also happens in England, I recall my mother doing it many years ago.

And Christmas swims are not unusual.

Some of the things are Irish though, Womens' Christmas certainly is - or at any rate I had never come across it till I came to Ireland. Turkey and Ham, also. A ham would be cooked in England but not particularly served as Turkey-and-ham. Spiced beef, also known but not a particularly Christmas dish. I love spiced beef. The Christmas candle in the window is Irish afaik.

razorblunt · 05-12-2016 03:15PM

"Hanselling" a wallet or purse is definitely not just an Irish thing, nor just an Xmas thing. It's a lovely gesture all the same.

Spiced Beef and The Holly Bough magazine in Cork are two more additions.

The Holly Bough is a weird one, most of it is based on stories from the 50s, I'd imagine in 10 years time they'll be reminiscing about the 60s. My Dad buys it and I love trying the Diffney quiz, it's amazing the answers you get when you're tipsy on Xmas Eve.

Stonedpilot · 05-12-2016 03:19PM

Getting drunk night before Christmas and then pouring youself outta bed at 12.30 in ribbons, not having the stomach for a huge dinner at 1-2pm ugh.

05-12-2016 03:42PM

Selection box's

DEFTLEFTHAND · 05-12-2016 04:27PM

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Bollox to that, sneak a few from the bottom layer when no ones looking, then place the top layer back on.

Social Clubs (like my local rugby club) being jam packed on Christmas day because the normal pub goers had nowhere else to go.

You think people could go just one day with out having to go out. Drink at home for Christ's sake.

Just to clarify I mean the pub goers. Private members social clubs operating on the qt doesn't bother me.

Dravokivich · 05-12-2016 05:41PM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

You think people could go just one day with out having to go out. Drink at home for Christ's sake.

Just to clarify I mean the pub goers. Private members social clubs operating on the qt doesn't bother me.

I go without plenty, whenever I go to work, not a bother on me in the slightest. :rolleyes:

realdanbreen · 05-12-2016 05:44PM

orourkeda wrote: »

and a blow job followed by coke and hookers

Thought that was just for Dubs!

podgemonster · 05-12-2016 06:15PM

The 5pm scrabble on Christmas Eve of men in petrol stations looking desperately at something that will pass as a present before eventually asking for a petrol voucher.

ohnonotgmail · 05-12-2016 06:19PM

podgemonster wrote: »

The 5pm scrabble on Christmas Eve of men in petrol stations looking desperately at something that will pass as a present before eventually asking for a petrol voucher.

what woman wouldn't want 5L of 10W30?

Seve OB · 05-12-2016 06:23PM

A Nice Cup Of Tea wrote: »

A pint of Guinness for Santy.

Calling Santa ........... Santy :rolleyes:

Oh yea, and resurrecting 6 year old threads

blackbird 49 · 05-12-2016 06:30PM

December 8th when all the country folk head up to the big smoke

Traditions @ Christmas that are uniquely Irish

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