Christmas

Christmas, generally regarded in Ireland as the most important festival, also has pre-Christian origins. There is no historic or Biblical evidence that Jesus was, in fact, born on December 25; this date was most likely chosen by the early church to coincide with a number of extant mid-winter festivals, including the Anglo-Saxon Yule and the Roman festivals of Sol Invicta and Saturnalia. This is not disputed by Christian churches.

Christmas and the word “traditional” go hand in hand, but every family, neighbourhood, or country may have their own traditions. Most now eat turkey – a bird that is only native to the Americas - and ham, while a smaller number have clung onto the tradition of eating goose or duck. Some people will give present s to their whole family, others will organise a “Kris Kindle”, where each person is tasked with buying one gift for a family member.

A number of Christmas traditions are relatively new to this island. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe was never well known in Ireland, largely because the plant is found relatively rarely. The Christmas tree is also a relatively recent import, while the folk figure of Santa Claus, derived from the Christian figure of Saint Nicolas of Myra, who gave gifts to the poor, is rarely attested to in 19th century and early 20th century Irish sources. Other folk figures, such as the Norse god Odin, the Scandinavian “Yule Goat” and the English “Father Christmas” figure of English tradition (now merged in the popular mind with Santa Claus, dates back at least as far as the 17th century), also delivered gifts to children in mid-December.

A tradition of swimming in the sea on Christmas Day has been popular for many decades and has grown in significance in recent decades. At the Forty Foot swimming area near Dun Laoghaire, south county Dublin, large numbers brave the cold weather and form an orderly queue to jump into the very cold Irish Sea. Many use the swim as a chance to raise money for charity.