IRELAND

 Exposition = IRELAND 

Ireland is a country located in Europe, its capital is Dublin. The official languages are English and Gaelic. Today we will talk about Christmas in Ireland and its traditions. Christmas in Ireland is celebrated from the beginning of December until the first week of January.

Let's start with December 8th. There are two celebrations related to this day: the first one is the Christmas tree, from an early age many Irish children are told that December 8th is the day when they can start decorating their houses. Though some people do it much earlier, but after December 8, you can see the trees and decorations in Irish homes.

The second tradition that is associated with December 8 is the start of shopping. On this day, many people who live in the suburbs of Dublin and in rural areas, go to the city to do their Christmas shopping. In the past there were so many people in the markets that they hardly could drive in the streets. Over the years, this tradition has lost popularity and the Covid 19 pandemic drove many families away from the popular centers, but Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still very popular.

Ireland has its own carol, The Wexford Carol is almost a Christmas anthem, this song is very special as it was created in County Wexford in the XII century, being one of the oldest Christmas carols.

 

One of Ireland's oldest traditions is the Wren Boys procession. It dates back to ancient times, where a wren, a songbird, was walked at the head of the procession. These days men wear straw and march along singing a rhyme about the wren, and no birds are harmed. Sometimes, they are marching with violins, accordions and trumpets.

In the morning of December 25th, it is a tradition for people to go out to swim. The most famous place is Forty Foot Rock in the south of Dublin. Hundreds of people jump into the water at 10 degrees. This tradition is called Christmas Day Swim. This day is used to raise funds for charity in Ireland.

On December 31, hundreds of Irish citizens meet at the Cathedral of Dublin to say goodbye to the year with the ringing of the midnight chimes and welcome the new year.

January 6th marks the end of Christmas celebrations but it's also "Little Christmas" or "Women's Christmas". Traditionally, women have the day off and men stay home doing domestic tasks and removing Christmas decorations. Some people believe it is bad luck to remove the decorations before this date.

 

Irish Christmas is quite traditional, that's why you can't miss a huge roast turkey on the table, well the Irish prefer the goose that they accompany with vegetables roasted apples or apple as a patty

It doesn't sound very good but the combination is spectacular, however on New Year's Eve it is customary to have fish for dinner for the Irish, this is a form of fasting or vigil before the expected Christmas day

However, in Cork, neither turkey nor goose adorns the Christmas table. It is spiced beef that enlivens dinner, since salty meat cured with spices and stewed or boiled is eaten only on these dates.

And how can we forget desserts? These potres just by mentioning them make your mouth water. There is the Christmas cake that has fruits and is accompanied with aged whiskey. Try it if you are of legal age. Obviously, the Christmas pudding is another typical dish. It is filled with fruits and dried fruit of the best quality before serving it is heated and bathed in hot brandy

 

The decoration in Ireland is accompanied by a beautiful Christmas tree. Every December 8, the Irish gather to decorate it with many lights and gittlers, and at the top they place a striking angel.

The traditions of Ireland have their own touch, on the entrance door or windows of the houses, a large candle is placed. When Christmas Ever arrives, the smallest of the family lights it to receive the Holy Family at home.

In almost all Irish houses they set up a nativity scene. Other families only place a crib and the baby Jesus, but no matter how it’s decorated, it is important to celebrate the birth of Jesus.