Ireland is a country of cheerful and good-natured people. The green island of leprechauns and giants amazes with its beauty and mystery. And these red-bearded and good-natured people will pull anyone out of the abyss of depression. Their natural craving for fun gave rise to many religious, pagan and national holidays. And it would be a sin against the saints not to consider the main holidays and traditions of Ireland.
Christmas
Very reverent attitude to the traditions of Irish holidays is especially noticeable at Christmas. Celebrated from 24 to 26 December. All three days a whole religious festival takes place on the streets. Nobody works, all shops and pubs are closed. Only the church is ready to receive parishioners on this day.
Preparing gifts on the eve of Christmas. Not only to your family, but also to any acquaintance. On this significant day, anyone will be pleased to both give and receive. Initially, the celebration takes place in the family circle. Everyone gathers at the festive table, blowing up crackers and eating traditional dishes.
After two days, everyone, already full, cheerful and satisfied with gifts, goes outside to seeprocession. Saint Stephen's Day begins. Young men dressed in straw outfits walk the streets and play the murder of a bird. The bird, fortunately, is artificial. And it symbolizes the death of the old and the birth of the new.
St. Stephen's Day
Saint Stephen's Day is celebrated on December 26th. Horse racing traditionally opens on this Irish holiday. Saint Stephen, like Saint Patrick, was a preacher of the Christian faith. He preached the doctrine of Christ with indefatigable perseverance and was a famous orator. His fiery speeches against Jewish persecution had a twofold effect. On the one hand, he was extremely convincing and made many believe. On the other hand, he was stoned to death.
St. Stephen is considered the patron saint of horses, which is why this holiday marks the opening of the racing festival. On this day, boys smeared with soot roam the streets, singing songs. All the money they get, they send to charity. After all, we must not forget that on St. Stephen's Day, not only horse races are important, but also good deeds.
New Year
New Year in Ireland is celebrated from December 31st to January 1st. This night is the time for noisy parties. Most of the pubs are open and just waiting for guests. And who can resist the honor of raising a pint of beer for a new page in life? And how nice after that to go outside and breathe in a fresh spirit of fun.
St. Brigid's Day
St Brigid's Day is an annual holiday in Northern Ireland, celebrated on February 1st. The special veneration of this saint is associated with the legend that it was she who took birth from the Virgin Mary. According to beliefs, on the eve of the holiday, Saint Brigid travels around the country blessing people's homes. In order to look like hospitable hosts, residents put a piece of cake on the windowsill.
On the eve of the holiday, people weave crosses from reeds or reeds and hang them over the front door. This cross protects the house from trouble. This custom was born from the legend of how Saint Brigid once came to the house of a dying pagan and christened him with a cross woven from reeds.
St. Patrick's Day
When it comes to Ireland's national holidays, St. Patrick's Day comes to mind first. It begins on March 17, on the day of the death of St. Patrick, who baptized Ireland. For 5 days, "leprechauns" in green clothes dance everywhere, the famous shamrock flaunts on every corner, Irish ale flows like a river.
The most noisy and large-scale events take place exactly on March 17th. Their integral part is a huge procession. The procession begins its movement from the main street. At the head is a wagon with a figure of St. Patrick. It is followed by several platforms with illustrations of historical events and musicians. Citizens and tourists are free to join the grandiose procession. Such a procession, accompanied by folk music, moves up toSt. Patrick's Cathedral.
Currently, ale is considered a traditional drink on this holiday. Not drinking a glass of ale with a shamrock in the bottom is like disrespecting St. Patrick. The main thing after draining the mug is not to forget to throw the shamrock over your shoulder, this is for good luck. And after that, the mood for dancing will appear. Fortunately, leprechauns in green top hats invite you into the cycle of events. Well, how can they refuse?
Beltane
Beltane is a wonderful summer holiday in Ireland. May 1st is celebrated. Earlier on this day, shepherds led their cattle to fresh pastures after a hungry winter. Fires were lit on the hills and animals were sacrificed. This sacrifice was meant to protect the rest of the animals from danger.
Obviously, the modern Irish got their love of fire from their ancestors - the Celts. Like the ancient inhabitants of the Emerald Isle, the Irish kindle fires on the first summer night. This serves to scare away the evil spirits that have come for the happiness of the cheerful inhabitants and the shiny gold of the leprechauns.
