Traditions @ Christmas that are uniquely Irish

Vita nova · 05-12-2016 07:01PM

blackbird 49 wrote: »

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

Doesn't really happen in any significant way anymore. Was a big thing when all the schools would shut for the 8th (religious feast) and the large department stores had Dec 8th sales but nowadays they're more likely to go on Black Friday and for the post Christmas sales. Also, a lot more shopping options these days.

TheQuietFella · 05-12-2016 07:02PM

Vita nova wrote: »

Doesn't really happen in any significant way anymore.

We're all living here now!:D

Koscielny · 05-12-2016 07:03PM

Going to midnight mass at 9pm.

Grayson · 05-12-2016 07:15PM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

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.

My parents always did that but I never heard the reference to penal times. It was always to show any travellers that there was a warm house where they could stay so they wouldn't be left out in the cold like Mary and Joseph.

As regular posters will know, I'm an athiest and there's one xmas tradition that really gets on my tits. Nativity scenes in public places with the baby Jesus in them. I don't care about a nativity scene in a public place but you're not supposed to put Jesus into it until xmas day. If you're going to do something do it right for (baby) christs sake.

LordSutch · 05-12-2016 07:19PM

A Nice Cup Of Tea wrote: »

A pint of Guinness for Santy. The youngest child in the house lighting a candle. Members of the family making a wish when they stir the Christmas pudding mix
What else?

Calling Santa Santy.

Pkiernan · 05-12-2016 07:24PM

Drunks pissing in the back of the church during midnight mass.
The nation doesn't have an alcohol problem...no siree.

kfallon · 05-12-2016 07:27PM

Pkiernan wrote: »

Drunks pissing in the back of the church during midnight mass.
The nation doesn't have an alcohol problem...no siree.

Don't think the big birthday boy would mind tbh considering he was fond of turning water into wine any chance he got!

BoJack Horseman · 05-12-2016 07:29PM

Pkiernan wrote: »

Drunks pissing in the back of the church during midnight mass

Hence why 'midnight mass' can't be at midnight.
Too much disruption from drunk c*nts.

Widdershins · 05-12-2016 07:42PM

I heard another variation on the candle in the window. In this one it's like a beacon for wandering souls of the departed.

Another tradition that's gone now is ghost stories told on Christmas Eve. It's not uniquely Irish though, sorry.

Cortina_MK_IV · 05-12-2016 07:58PM

Seve OB wrote: »

Calling Santa ........... Santy :rolleyes: Oh yea, and resurrecting 6 year old threads

Oh well that would be me to ask a simple question. I was going to start a new one but in the name of housekeeping I did a search and found this.

Damned if you do an damned if you don't.

Kal El · 05-12-2016 07:59PM

macroman wrote: »

The Fudge always gets left behind. F**kin' rotten things.

My wife didnt understand me sitting down having a cup of tea and selection box for breakfast christmas day. Sometimes these foreigners :mad: :pac:

Agricola · 05-12-2016 08:10PM

Who the hell can eat an enormous fry up in the morning and then lob a roast turkey dinner down on top of it at 2/3pm?

Antar Bolaeisk · 05-12-2016 08:12PM

macroman wrote: »

The Fudge always gets left behind. F**kin' rotten things.

Send them my way, I love the fudge!

PowerToWait · 05-12-2016 08:21PM

A totally Dubbalin Irish thing - Christmas clothes, to be worn only on Christmas day.

Dr Crayfish · 05-12-2016 08:24PM

My ma always made and still makes this trifle that is disgusting and we tell her this every year. I actually the cold custard part of it but jelly ffs. Surely we've moved on as a nation from jelly? In saying that is she doesn't make it this year I'll probably be devestated with the realisation my youth is well and truly gone.

Mountainsandh · 05-12-2016 08:30PM

The Christmas family hampers ! My mil was an agent for them for a while, and she always got our family a hamper with all these tins, powder sauces, Taytos and shít. Not a gourmet thing at all, just your plain old groceries.

They cost a fortune but she thought it was great, paying the whole year with interest for a bloody box of groceries at Christmas.

Now she's such an example of the old style Irish Mammy that she still calls up with a (homemade) cardboard box full of tins of beans, sugar, ketchup, Taytos, tins of mushy peas and such. I know she means well but I find it a bit weird and insulting that she assumes I need a top up of groceries at that particular time. I know I just sound ungrateful.

Mountainsandh · 05-12-2016 08:31PM

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

My ma always made and still makes this trifle that is disgusting and we tell her this every year. I actually the cold custard part of it but jelly ffs. Surely we've moved on as a nation from jelly? In saying that is she doesn't make it this year I'll probably be devestated with the realisation my youth is well and truly gone.

My mil makes it too ! No one eats it except my husband but she still makes a big bowl of it. (along with 4 other desserts):rolleyes::)

clairewithani · 05-12-2016 08:36PM

Agricola wrote: »

Who the hell can eat an enormous fry up in the morning and then lob a roast turkey dinner down on top of it at 2/3pm?

Who the hell can't???

Grayson · 05-12-2016 09:00PM

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

My ma always made and still makes this trifle that is disgusting and we tell her this every year. I actually the cold custard part of it but jelly ffs. Surely we've moved on as a nation from jelly? In saying that is she doesn't make it this year I'll probably be devestated with the realisation my youth is well and truly gone.

Don't forget the melon as a starter.

Dr Crayfish · 05-12-2016 10:24PM

Grayson wrote: »

Don't forget the melon as a starter.

We don't get that, I love melon though.

valoren · 05-12-2016 11:55PM

USA biscuits? Well for some. Had to make do with USSR Biscuits.

Seve OB · 06-12-2016 12:00AM

valoren wrote: »

USA biscuits? Well for some. Had to make do with USSR Biscuits.

Could be worse. You could be
Back, in the U.S.S.R!

fryup · 06-12-2016 12:05AM

very much an 80s one....

getting your chain-smoking auntie a cigarette multipack in the duty free on the ferry back from London....then she gives you a big nicotine stained kiss for the gesture

Traditions @ Christmas that are uniquely Irish

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