TOP 10 special Irish CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Like many nations around the world, the Irish have their own set of unique traditions around Christmastime that we love to celebrate every year.

Christmas is one of the most special times of year in the Irish festive calendar. It’s an occasion that brings everyone together.

As such, there are some main traditions that Irish people celebrate and embrace every single year. These are the traditions that make an Irish Christmas what it is.

Ireland Before You Die’s fun facts and tips for visiting Ireland at Christmastime:

• ‘Nollaig Shona Duit’ – this is how you say Merry Christmas in Irish!
• Make sure to check out Grafton Street in Dublin around Christmastime for the beautifully lit streets and displays.
• If you are planning on staying in Ireland during the Christmas celebrations, be sure to book hotels well in advance!
• Head to a local pub at Christmastime for some of the best atmosphere you’ll ever experience! There’s music, craic, lights, and so much more.

10. Christmas Eve mass – one of the biggest Irish Christmas traditions

Church is a big part of the Irish Christmas calendar, especially midnight mass on Christmas Eve leading into the early hours of Christmas Day. However, despite its name, it usually actually occurs at 10 pm!

If you want to see a church packed to the extreme, midnight mass is the place to see it! This is a time of year when everyone, friends, family, and neighbours get together to celebrate the Christmas period.

9. St. Stephen’s Day horseracing – he is the patron saint, after all

Held at Leopardstown Racecourse every year on St. Stephen’s Day, one of the biggest Irish Christmas traditions is heading down to Dublin for the St. Stephen’s Day races.

St. Stephen is the patron saint of horses, after all!

RELATED READ: Top 10 HORSE RACE courses in IRELAND.

8. Choosing and decorating the Christmas tree – a tough choice every year

Heading out with your family to choose your Christmas tree for the year is one of the most special days of the year.

It’s never an easy choice! You and your loved ones almost NEVER agree on which one to take home, but that’s all part of the occasion!

Then, getting the tree home, poking out the window of the car, to decorate with Christmas music and some drinks is the best way to round off the night. This worked the exact same way if you had the same tree in the attic you use every year!

STAY OUT OF TROUBLE: 10 ways to avoid an argument with your ma this Christmas.

7. Nollaig na mBan – one of the lesser-celebrated traditions

One of the lesser celebrated Irish Christmas traditions is perhaps Nollaig na mBan. Translating to ‘Little Christmas’ or ‘Women’s Christmas’, it is celebrated each year on 6 January when Christmas comes to a close.

Traditionally, the women of the family can relax and meet up with friends and family while the men of the house carry out any chores that need doing.

LEARN MORE: The history of Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas) in Ireland.

6. Christmas Eve candle – one of the oldest Irish Christmas traditions

One of the oldest traditions of an Irish Christmas is the placing of a candle in the window of your home on Christmas Eve. This single, solitary light is set as a welcome to strangers and to remember those far away from home. 

In fact, thanks to ex-President Mary Robinson, there is a permanent candle in the window of Aras an Uachtarain guiding all Irish emigrants home.

5. The panto – always a fun night

One of the most treasured Christmas traditions is heading to the local opera house or theatre and catching the Christmas pantomime!

This is one of the most fun and exciting activities in the lead-up to Christmas, perfect for kids, families, or groups of friends as they put on a variety of shows.

4. The Christmas Day swim at the Forty Foot – freeze your knickers off on Christmas Day!

People from Dublin and beyond turn up at the iconic Forty Foot in Sandycove, Dublin, for a knock-your-socks-off, absolutely freezing Christmas Day swim.

This is one tradition that families from all over the country, particularly those local to Dublin and the surrounding area, have held for years. It’s certainly one way to knock the hangover from the night before!

3. Christmas Eve drinks – one of the most important days in the Irish Christmas calendar

Speaking of hangovers, one of the biggest Irish Christmas traditions is having drinks with friends and family on Christmas Eve. Whether it’s a yearly occurrence at your local pub or a gathering at a friend or family member’s house, this is one tradition we never skip.

For those who don’t go to midnight mass, this is how the entire evening is spent. Those who do usually join before or after!

RELATED: 5 tasty Irish Christmas cocktail recipes you need to try.

2. Christmas Markets – the most wonderful time of the year

Around Christmastime, one of the things Irish people look forward to the most is the influx of European-inspired Christmas markets.

The big cities, like Dublin, Galway, Belfast, and Cork, have a number of amazing markets to bring in the festive period. They are adorned with lights, decorations, and beer tents and are havens for the craic this time of year.

1. Christmas dinner – chaos, craic, and everything in between

Like many nations around the world, the most important day around Christmastime is the day when all the friends, family, and loved ones come together to celebrate Christmas over a delicious traditional dinner and LOTS of drink.

If you grew up in an Irish household, this day was most likely filled with absolute chaos, but it’s one of the days we Irish cherish most of all.

Notable mentions

Christmas pints: Around Christmastime, Irish people can be found in the pub for almost the whole month of December! The towns and cities truly come alive at this time of year.

Christmas carols: You will spot groups of people from churches and charitable organisations singing traditional Irish Christmas songs in town squares and the streets around the country.

Milk, biscuits, and Guinness and mince pies for Santa: Like many kids around the world, Irish families will encourage their kids to leave out snacks for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Christmas decorations: Besides the aforementioned tree and candle, you’ll find other decorations like wreaths, holly, and (especially) a Nativity scene complete with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, in every Irish house.

Your questions answered about Irish Christmas traditions

What are some Irish traditions for Christmas?

We think our list above highlights the most important Irish Christmas traditions that families celebrate throughout the country.

What is an Irish Christmas tradition of food?

The biggest traditional meal at Christmastime in Ireland is the Christmas dinner, consisting of a big roast turkey, roast potatoes and vegetables, stuffing, and all the extra trimmings! You might have a Christmas cake or Christmas pudding afterwards.

What is an Irish holiday tradition?

Some of the biggest Irish holiday traditions are going for a Christmas swim, midnight mass, and leaving a candle in the window of your home.