Christmas in Ireland a return to our traditional roots at Bunratty Folk Park

Christmas in rural Ireland fádo, fádo (a long time ago) as it is depicted in Bunratty Folk Park, can only be described as utterly charming and ultimately heartwarming. There is a wave of proud austerity sweeping over Ireland right now in light of recent financial catastrophes and the desire to get back to our roots where hard work, neighbourly kindness and supporting the local community were the order of the day, has never been more keenly felt then at the end of 2010.

Ignore what the media are saying, there is no miserableness on the ground here in Ireland, despite the financial ‘hardship’. But a renewed sense of pride and resilience, we know we have a great country and even better people, and that we will show the world we are a force to be reckoned with in 2011. But first, we are going to enjoy Christmas probably more than ever before because we appreciate just how blessed we really are, by returning to the simple customs and traditions of the past. We have already had more than a ‘sprinkling’ of snow with lots more promised so the scene is set for…

Lighting a candle on Christmas Eve, just as it used to be in every household throughout Ireland, as a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, who would be born that night. The same welcome was extended to not only friends and neighbours but especially returning family, who were often ‘out foreign’ working which is sadly the case again in Ireland. But never mind, nobody in Ireland is going ‘to die with the hunger’ certainly not at Christmas, when there will be a nice fat, pasture reared turkey or goose on the table along with all the trimmings, including the Pudding and Cake.

I nearly cried when I saw the one at Bunratty, at least a foot square, and God knows how heavy, covered with no nonsense icing (frosting) and topped with the same little plastic Santy, reindeers and snowmen, fondly remembered from my childhood. And the plum pudding, well we never had one that big? topped with a decent sprig (small branch) of holly and standing proudly on a tinfoil covered platter, a whiff up close would be enough to knock anybody. It’s a lucky family that will be tucking into those two after 'the dinner' with a little whiskey beside the fire….

Nollaig Shona Dhuit (Happy Christmas)

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

For more information on Bunratty Folk Park visit http://www.shannonheritage.com/

Let's talk about the weather......

Well, let's face it, we have had it up to here with politics and as for religion? we are not even going to go there… Apparently there is a big freeze on its way (in more ways than one) to Ireland, which could result in us having a premature 'White Christmas' yippee...... Just what we need a bit of festive cheer, an excuse to hole up with friends and loved ones and forget about all that’s going on.

We are obsessed with the weather here in Ireland, we talk about it all the time, its woven its way into our language and shaped us and environment over the millennia. And while we never stop going on about it, we are in fact blessed in that we never get extremes of weather in Ireland. ie it never gets too hot or too cold. We don’t get hurricanes, whirlwinds, terrible droughts or floods and all the nasty stuff that goes with them like bugs, flooding and erosion. Okay, we do get occasional flooding but that’s more to do with global warming and our own mis-management (nothing new there) like building on natural flood plains or releasing water from hydro-electric dams…..

But when we are not whingeing about it we realise this how lucky we are especially on what we call a ‘pet day’. This is an unseasonably, perfectly still, warm and sunny day that we get once in a while in the middle of winter, where all is well with us, our neighbours and the world.... Compared to the other extreme which is ‘a day for the high stool’ when the weather is so cold, wet and miserable you have no choice but to head for the pub.



Whereas we usually manage to survive ‘soft days’ (because we are so used to them) which is what we call rainy days. True, you can get some wet days in Ireland were the rain is as soft as an Evian facial but we used the same term to excuse the horizontal stuff that blows in from the Atlantic. Which we really shouldn’t complain about either as these prevailing westerly winds are the reason we have the cleanest air in Europe. The tell-tale signs being the lichen that grows on rocks and trees all over Ireland, which doesnt happen in polluted environments.

And is the reason why, we have the healthiest growing conditions for crops and animals, evident in our fresh food, and even ourselves, if we don’t mess with it of course. So it’s ‘a good day’ we would have it and despite all our financial woes we are beyond fortunate to live in the most beautiful country in the world, Let's hear if for the 'Greens' (whoops, naughty...)

Susan Byron author of http://www.ireland-hidden-gems.com/

For more about the weather in Ireland check out http://www.irishweatheronline.com/

Read more: Arctic spell could see temperatures in Ireland drop to 14F - SEE PHOTOS