Everyone in America is looking forward to the holidays that are just around the corner, but have you ever thought about how other countries celebrate their holidays? Christmas in Ireland has many traditions that are similar to our culture, such as gift-giving, attending Mass, singing carols, and decorating the tree, as do most nations around the world during Christmas. However, there are even more traditions that seperate themselves from the "American Christmas".
On St. Stephen's Day, December 26, long ago, it was customary to give small gifts to the mailman and milkman. This tradition still carries on today, but most do it before Christmas instead of the day after. On this day, the Wren Boys, in the same manner as Halloween, dress up and go door-to-door. They are usually treated with porter and pudding.
The official end of the Christmas season occurs January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany. The great feast and putting away the decorations symbolize the end of Christmas in Ireland.
Christmas in Ireland
Dublin, Christmas 2001