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| Christmas Carnivals » Christmas Around The World » Christmas In Ireland |
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Christmas In Ireland |
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Christmas in Ireland is quite similar to other Western countries. But, Ireland being a predominantly Catholic country, certain Christmas customs are unique. But basically the exchange of gifts, decorating the Christmas trees, and attending the Mass are the common features of any Christmas in the West.
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Christmas in Ireland has a very popular Christmas carol “Twelve Days of Christmas”. It originated at a time when Catholics were persecuted and young Catholic children had to learn the tenets of their faith through this song. Candles play an important role in Christmas in Ireland. They are used in decoration and some homes light a big candle signifying hospitality for Mary and Joseph. Small gifts are given to trades people before Christmas. Pantomimes are performed on St. Stephen’s Day in which there is role reversal, that is, men play women and vice versa.
Christmas in Ireland is never complete without the big Christmas dinner. The festive menu includes roast turkey with stuffing, ham, cranberry sauce and other baked and cooked delicacies. More traditional Christmas dinner table has spiced beef. The recipe is a more complicated one and the beef is spiced over several days, cooked and then pressed. It can be served hot or cold. Who can forget the Christmas pudding on a platter on 25th December? So there is this delectable affair on the table with brandy or rum sauce.
Wren Boys Procession is also another notable feature of Christmas in Ireland. Boys go from door to door with a fake wren on a stick and the main reason for such a ceremony is to ask for money “for the starving wren”. Connect to
Christmas Carnivals to know more.
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