Top ten Irish Christmas traditions - old fashioned and modern Ireland combined

The magic of Grafton Street in Dublin at Christmas

Christmas in Ireland embodies these top ten traditions and less we get too twee (I have included the then and now versions)....

1: Christmas Cakes and Puddings:

Then: People complain that Christmas starts too early these days. Halloween is barely over and the shops have their decorations up. But in actual fact Irish Mammys would have had the Christmas Cakes and Puddings, a rich fruit and nut combination laced with whiskey well made by October at the latest, in order for them to have time enough to mature properly before the big day.

Now: We are more likely to buy smaller (perhaps even gluten free versions) from artisan food shops, bakeries and farmers markets.

2. The 8th December

Then: The feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day was traditionally the day families came 'up from the country' to do their Christmas shopping in one of the larger towns like Dublin, Cork or Galway.

Now: Apart from the facility to shop online 24/7 it is pretty much open season in many of the large shopping centers, like Dundrum and the Kildare Village Outlet from November.

However, there is still something magical about strolling down Henry Street or Grafton St in Dublin, Shop Street in Galway or Patrick Street in Cork at Christmas time.

Read More: The top ten Irish Christmas traditions that make the season - PHOTOS

3. Visit to Santa:

Most likely you would have composed your list and letter to Santa before this but this was the day you showed your face and were on your best behavior.

Then: We always went to see Santa in Switzers (now Brown Thomas’) on Grafton St who cleverly had a sack of blue presents for boys and pink for the girls. Switzers had the best Christmas windows and we would have spent hours (if we were let) with our noses pressed up against them, I am happy to say that Brown Thomas has continued that tradition and all of their windows nationwide are a sight to behold at Christmas.

Now: We have ‘Santa Experiences’ at Bunratty, Belvedere House, Glendeer Pet Farm, Ailwee Caves that are booked up months in advance.

4. The Christmas tree:

Then: Normally didn’t go up till almost Christmas and it would have been an ordinary spruce, from the Dublin mountains, no fancy imported breeds back in County Clare, where I now live, a holly bush was the handier and preferred tree of choice. My Aunts in Whitehall only ever had a small artificial Christmas tree which we thought was very exotic altogether, though undoubtedly a fire hazard, it is a wonder it didn’t go up in smoke as the lights were connected to the light socket in the ceiling.

Now: had a wide variety of imported (non-shed trees) as well as any amount of pseudo cyber trees like the one in O’Connell St which has been ditched this year in favor of a REAL tree.

5. Candle in the window:

Then: This was lit on Christmas eve to signal to Mary & Joseph that they were welcome at our house. as well as any stranger in need of warmth and sustenance.

Now: We have a permanent candle in the window of Aras an Uachtarain thanks to President Mary Robinson who famously re-adopted this custom during her term of office, to remember all of the emigrants that had left Ireland and let them know the candle in the window would always be lighting to remember them show them their way home.

Read More: The top ten best places to celebrate Christmas in Ireland

6. Midnight Mass:

Then: We did not go as children because we were tucked up in bed in case Santa caught us out, but the adults did often after a good night in the pub and then there would be more merriment and sampling of the ham, mince pies and whiskey no doubt.

Now: Midnight Mass is as early as 7pm to facilitate families with young children (and no doubt curb the pub exodus) and a lot of older people especially watch it on television.

7. Christmas dinner:

Then: Christmas dinner was very much a family affair and woe betide you if you did not make it home for dinner on Christmas Day, which was served about lunchtime and consisted of roast turkey, stuffing ham, grave, and vegetables namely the dreaded brussel sprouts that were only ever available at Christmas back in days (no loss many would still say). Christmas pudding or trifle, a layer of spongy jelly with custard and cream and a generous sprinkling of 100’s and 1000’s was served for desert. After which there would not be a peep out of anybody for the afternoon, while Chitty Bang Bang or the Sound of Music droned away to itself on the television.

Now: While stereo-typically it is still a family affair, many extended families have opened their doors and arms to embrace new traditions and cultural differences. Gone are the days of gnawing at a huge turkey carcass for a week. Many buy oven-ready or go out to eat in style on the day.

8. The Panto:

Then: The pantomime in the Gaeity or Olympia Theatre was the next big outing for us on St Stephens Day (boxing day) or sometime after. Our Aunts very kindly took us each year and we loved sitting in the grand circle and roaring ‘behind you’ at Maureen Potter et al. Afterwards, we always visited the Moving Crib on Parnell Square, which is still there 50 odd years later.

The top ten best Irish Christmas food and drink treats

Now: Kids are more likely to go to Funderland in the RDS or Ice-skating, while the adults go horse-racing or do something charitable like a 25 km run or fun swim (sometimes both) or head off up the mountains for a hike.

9. New Years Eve:

Then: was never a big deal in Ireland, it used to be the night of the ;dress dance' with plenty of Ri Ra and Ruaille Buaille (good fun) but mostly people watched Gaybo on the RTE (Irish television) which kicked off 50 years ago this year from Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin.

Now: This year's New Year’s Eve in Dublin is set to be huge with fireworks and a free open air concert to signal the start of The Gathering in 2013. While down the country we are more likely to be at home or at impromptu parties in our neighbors' houses, due to the price of drink out and (quite rightly) very strict drink-driving laws.

10. 6th January:

Then: The feast of the Epiphany, was the day when Christmas officially ended and the decorations were taken down and put away for yet another year. In the West of Ireland it was called Little Christmas or Nollaig na mBan (women’s Christmas) where the men got to do all the work and prepare a meal for the ladies of the house.

Now: In the West at least, the sisterhood has embraced this old tradition, wholeheartedly, over the last few years with many specially organized (ladies only) events.

By Susan Byron author of Irelands Hidden Gems.com and Where to Eat, Sleep & Play in Ireland 2013

Top ten Irish gifts to buy online this Christmas 2012

Wilde and Wooley 

This is my personal pick of the Top Irish Christmas Gifts available online this year.

Some of them are eternally popular mega brands and some are extra special hidden gems that are starting to make a name for themselves internationally.

Buying Irish supports our economy but more importantly keeps those rural communities, that our visitors love, alive, thriving and vibrant.

1. Alan Ardiff Jewellery do you know someone with a ‘heart of gold’ that you would like to reward this year? Than this beautiful piece is the gift for them, all of Alan's pieces are handcrafted in Dublin.

2. Brown Thomas although if you cannot make up your mind a gift card from Ireland’s most prestigious department store with branches in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick is also bound to please.

3. Burren Smokehouse, for the foodies in your life, how about a hamper of delicious Irish artisan food goodies, choose from a huge variety of pre-packed options or create your own and remember to order early for guaranteed Christmas delivery.

4. Dubarry, I am still craving a pair of Galway Boots (hint, hint) these very stylish boots, while perfect for wintry walks (cosy and waterproof) would not look out of place on 5th avenue either. Web

5. Jameson for the ‘hottie’ in your life, how about a bottle of 12 year old special reserve Jameson Irish whiskey or better again get it personalised for him, only available in Ireland and the UK.

6. Cloon Keen Atalier, also on my wish list these candles are hand crafted in Galway, with specially blended perfumes, that genuinely go the distance, available singly or in presentation packs of three.

7. Lisa Ryder Designs winner of young Irish designer of the year Lisa’s luxurious, printed Italian silk scarves are a magical blend of natural and urban landscapes. I adore mine (they don’t crease) and have given several as gifts.

8. Lorge Chocolates my first encounter with Benoits' chocolates was at the Milk Market in Limerick, earlier this year. Which led me to his shop on the Caha Pass in Kerry, where I had the best hot-chocolate I have ever tasted and bought several beautifully presented boxes as gifts.

9. Seavite, another product(s) I cannot be without is Seavite’s exfoliating shower gel which is made from a blend of seaweed extracts. This miracle product was designed by the Mulrooney family of marine biologists in Kinvara, and is guaranteed to leave your skin feeling soft and silky.

10. Wilde and Wooley made from the finest naturally dyed yarns these lovely warm woollen hoods and gloves are designed to echo the natural land and seascapes of the West Coast of Ireland. Talented local lady Anto knits the garments while her beautiful daughter Mebh does the modelling.

Ta suil agam go mbanfidh sibh taitneamh as na rudai anseo agus Nollaig Shona Dhaoibh go leir... (I hope you enjoy the above and a very Happy Christmas to you all)

Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com and Where to Eat, Sleep & Play in Ireland 2013

Fall truly, madly, deeply in love with Northern Ireland

Susan pictured on Rathlin Island

Not only have I jumped into Northern Ireland but  I have fallen truly, madly deeply in love with it following a recent trip up there on a sublime day out to Rathlin Island.

Up there differentiates the North from the South ie the Republic of Ireland (26 counties) which is Irish and the wee North (six counties) which is technically British, with the population still divided over which country it should really belong to. I know it’s confusing, but thankfully the ‘troubles’ are over and Northern Ireland is doing its best to rebuild its reputation as a safe and wonderful destination to visit.

Belfast is the capital /main city (it’s impossible to be politically correct) and is enjoying a great revival with the opening of the Titanic Quarter this centenary year, which has focused the worlds media on a formally forgotten corner of Ireland, that is well worth exploring.

Less than 2 hours from Dublin, Belfast is the gateway to the glens of Antrim and the famous Giants Causeway Dunluce Castle which is on most tourists itineraries. But there is so much more to see where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, Carlingford and its Lough. 

Belfast itself and that fantastic coastal drive through Cushendall, Cushendun, Carnlough, Torr Head and all the way around to Portrush (a famous golf resort) via Ballycastle and the Carrick-a-rede ropebridge, no doubt you have all seen that photo? I hope to explore all the above and more this summer so you can look forward to lots of Northern Hidden Gems been added to my website over the next couple of months and as always if you have any suggestions of your own you would like to include please let me know via email, in the meantime...

By Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/index.html

All you need to know about Ireland - reasons why Ireland is a top spot for vacations

About Ireland? Well it is a small island off the West coast of Europe, about 32,000 square miles with a population of about 4.5 million people. So there’s a clue, being so sparsely populated it never gets particularly crowded, so if you are looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday you have come to the right place! Weather wise we don’t get extremes, with an average temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius in the winter and 15 in the summer. Neither do we have any nasty bugs, mosquitoes or snakes, we have St Patrick to thank for that.

Our prevailing winds blow in from the West over the Atlantic ocean which means we get a fair amount of rain (what we call soft days in Ireland) but zero atmospheric pollution either.

Which has given rise to Ireland's landscapes often being referred to as 40 shades of green....

We are very proud of our little green island, which is struggling a little bit with the Euro (our currency) along with our European partners and indeed the rest of the world. But we have a long history (predating the Egyptians) of resilience and optimism. We prefer to see our glass of Guinness as half full rather than half empty.

We are easy going, amenable and relatively laid back and while standards of food and accommodation are very much improved we are still not really any good on timekeeping (we are on GMT by the way) and our public transport system outside of the main cities is fairly minimal to say the least. But hiring a car is simple and cheap with good motorways linking the main cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast which is Northern Ireland, which always confuses people.

Ireland is made up of 32 counties, 26 of which are in the Republic of Ireland (Irish) and 6 in Northern Ireland (British) it’s a long story (800 years and more) don’t ask just feel free to travel the length and breadth of Ireland as a whole and enjoy it all.

For more information visit www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

How to claim your Certificate of Irish Heritage - VIDEO

Representative of the Certificate of Irish Heritage with President Michael D Higgins

The Irish Government has (finally) had a good idea! in deciding to award anybody who can claim Irish descent with a Certificate of Irish Heritage. And while it is a government endorsed document, signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs himself, Deputy Eamonn Gilmore, just to be absolutely clear, it does not have any legal standing ie it is definitely not a passport. But that certainly isn’t deterring the 1000’s of people who have applied for their own personal Certificate of Irish Hertitage on behalf of themselves or a relative, since the scheme was first rolled out last September.

Who can apply? Literally, anybody who was not born in Ireland themselves but who has a relative that was and obviously some sort of proof of identity will be needed. ie a birth certificate or baptismal record, marriage certificate or even immigration entry records of the host country will suffice. And if you haven’t the foggiest notion where to obtain that kind of information there is free genealogy team available online at the link below to help you. And so far, they have been generally been able to come up with the necessary documentation within 24 hours.

Which is pretty impressive, considering Ireland has a diaspora of some 70 million souls worldwide, whose relatives emigrated in the wake of famine and hardship, in search of a better life in 'the lands of opportunity' like America and Australia. Many of them were mere children themselves like Lizzy Emmerson who was just 18 when she left Ireland in 1882 for New Zealand sadly never to see her family again, but whose great, great grand-daughter has managed to re-connect with her long lost relatives in Enniskillen via this new service.
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Or the millions of Irish that fled the western seaboard for the USA in the 1940’s the first sending out the fare to the second to join them. And mostly by all accounts, being hard workers they did very well for themselves, marrying (other Irish emigrant’s) raising and educating despite the horrid loneliness and endless anguish of having had to leave their families and native country. Perhaps that is why the ties are so great with Ireland and the yearning to revisit old homesteads, connect with surviving relatives relentless. At last the Irish Government has seen fit to recognize and reward their sacrifices and the right of their descendants to an official Irish identity.

The certificate itself is beautifully presented on vellum style paper, with an embossed a golden harp, the symbol of Ireland, with a choice of templates styled by the National Gallery of Ireland, available for personalization, which can then be dispatched worldwide, framed or unframed for €40 plus postage and packing, so why not claim yours and become Irish today.

Visit their website for more information. 

By Susan Byron author of irelands-hidden-gems.com

Here's an instructional video from the Certificate of Irish Heritage:

The best Irish gifts online this Christmas

Wouldn’t it be nice to give something especially Irish this Christmas? Not only would you be supporting Ireland’s economic recovery if you have a mind to, but also lots of jobs that keep those rural communities we are all so fond of as tourists alive and awake! But most importantly you or your loved ones would be receiving a quality gift that will be appreciated and valued for its uniquely Irish appeal.

Like Waterford Crystal, who wouldn’t be pleased to ring in 2012 with a couple of crystal champagne flutes? The first edition Partridge in a Pear Tree from Waterford Crystals 12 Days of Christmas Range are reduced by 70% at www.giftshopireland.com while stocks last, they are fast becoming modern day collectibles. Just like their cut glass tree ornaments and baubles which make the perfect one size fits all gifts, from new babies, to birthdays and anniversaries and even hostess gifts this time of year. Gift Shop Ireland has the widest selection of Waterford Crystal in the world, as well as an exclusive on Nicholas Mosse pottery. Plus they are offering a 10% discount and free shipping worldwide for all Irish Central readers, simply enter the code Christmas Gifts at point of purchase.

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Another classical Irish gift is Newbridge Silverware which started out making cutlery in 1934, but has since diversified into designer jewellery, with several vintage collections to complement their Style Icons museum and smart contemporary giftware. Is there anything better than sleek cutlery that works, will stand the test of time and look beautiful? The Celtic 24 piece gift pack is a surefire winner. Guaranteed to set a lady’s heart on fire would be a little something from the Grace Kelly Collection which has everything from pearl earrings for her to classic onyx / silver cufflinks for him. All of the above (and lots more besides) come beautifully packaged and presented in pale blue and cream boxes from www.newbridgesilverware.com

Or if you would prefer to let the recipient, especially us ladies, do the choosing you can’t go wrong with a gift card from Brown Thomas, pretty please? Following on from the success of the Marvel room last year, Brown Thomas has pop-up Gift Box shops in all of its branches throughout Ireland to excite and delight shoppers this Christmas. Packed full of even more covetable and collectible designer goodies, believe me a gift card from Brown Thomas is as they say themselves, is the one gift that is sure to please all of the people, all of the time! Available online from www.brownthomas.com in whatever value you wish, simply add your personalised greeting and you wont see us for fairy dust….

Finally, why not send an edible feast to your loved ones here or at home. The Burren Smokehouse pack the finest hampers with the very best Irish food and drink from carefully selected Artisan producers throughout Ireland, alongside their own award winning organic Atlantic smoked salmon, which was fit for a Queen, Elizabeth II no less, when she was here last May. They have a huge range online from the small artisan baskets at €59 to full on banquets for €299, although the best selling baskets are the Whiskey Basket at €99, everything in it from the cheese to the marmalade and chocolates are laced with whiskey to the Clare Basket €89, all of the produce comes from County Clare, you can almost smell the Burren! But you would need to order from www.burrensmokehouse.ie before the 9th of December to guarantee pre-Christmas delivery.

If you do decide to buy Irish this Christmas and I hope that you will, thank you for supporting Irish jobs, Irish businesses and communities throughout Ireland.

www.irelands-hidden-gems.com