All over Ireland, January 6 marks the end of the Christmas season – it is the day on which the fairy lights, the Christmas tree, the decorations and the Christmas cards are taken down and put away for another year. It is considered bad luck if decorations remain displayed after this date! January 6 has many titles – Epiphany, Little Christmas, 12th Night , Women’s Christmas, Little Women’s Christmas,and Nollaig na mBhan. Such an important day to have 6 different names!
Epiphany: The 3 Kings arrive with gifts
In Ireland, ‘Little Christmas’ (‘Nollaig Bheag’ in Irish) is one of the traditional names for January 6, the feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany is a Christian celebration of the day on which the Magi arrived with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to honour the new-born baby Jesus, the day on which Jesus is revealed to the gentiles. Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian holy days that originated in the Eastern church and was adopted by the Western church in the 4th century. ‘Little Christmas’ is so-called because under the Julian Calendar, Christmas day celebrations were held in January,whereas under the Gregorian calendar, Christmas day falls on December 25.
Twelfth Night,which coincides with Epiphany has been celebrated as the end of the Christmas season for centuries. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, Twelfth Night was one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. Twelfth Night parties were common where participants enjoyed food and drink and games. A special Twelfth cake, the forerunner of today’s Christmas cake, was the centrepiece of the party, with a slice offered to all members of the household, above and below stairs. In 1756, The Gentleman’s Magazine reported that: the king, and his entourage ” went to the Chapel Royal at St James’ and offered gold, myrrh and frankincense” on Twelfth Night.
Some years ago I found myself in County Kerry on January 6. I was astonished to see hotels crowded with women – and no men to be seen! On enquiring, I was informed that they were celebrating ‘Women’s Christmas’ or ‘Nollaig na mBhan’ in Irish. This has been a long-standing tradition in Counties Kerry and Cork, when women celebrate the end of the Christmas season, the decorations are down, the long season of preparation and cooking is over and the women folk have a celebratory meal. It is also celebrated in Newfoundland which has a strong affinity with Ireland and in some states of the United States of America where the tradition was kept alive by Irish immigrants.
The fascinating thing about this tradition is that, rather than dying out like so many other traditions, its popularity has begun to grow and it is now being celebrated across the country. Women in Dublin organize lunches for their women friends, Limerick women are meeting in their own homes for lovely dinners, Sligo women are coming together to enjoy female company – women only ‘get-togethers’ are being organized all over the place! Long may it continue!
If you know of other areas where this tradition is celebrated, I would be delighted to hear about it.
Happy Nollaig na mBan (pronounced null-ag na man) to all readers!
References
My husband was astounded that a female newsreader on Newstalk today had never heard of it! My American self has invited my Candian friend out to the pub! It will be interesting to see the ratio of men to women, and the ages of the women present!
It was so particular to Cork and Kerry,it is not surprising that anyone would not know about it. I had lived in this area – only miles from both theCork and Kerry borders- for 12 years before I heard of it!
Hope you enjoy your Nollaig na mBhan in the pub! Let’s spread the word!
Good for you ! Hope you had a wonderful time !
I’ve not heard of the connection between Epiphany and women before. most interesting as is the fact that the old traditions are being revived.
Yes- isn’t it wonderful! I was astonished by the number of women who went out celebrating on Friday night in Limerick!
Living in Co Louth, I only knew of the tradition from reading ‘Peig’ at school.
Then a friend went to live in Cork and told me that Nollaig na mBan was alive and well. I think it’s a great idea and hope it spreads around the country.
Have just stumbled upon your blog via Foxglove Lane and will be back.
Hi Mairead. Thank you for visiting and indeed let’s hope that the rest of Ireland can tap into the wonderful celebration of Nollaig na mBán! Thank you for dropping by and do come again! I took a peek at your blog and it looks like it is right up my street! The best to you for 2013. Angela
Discussing this here at home, in far off Australia last night, brought an unexpected bonus, I had dinner cooked for me. It may have had a little to do with the fact that I had been ‘tied’ to the computer almost the entire day and there were heard mutterings about ‘feed yourself’, but I like to think it was in celebration of Nollaig na mBán! This is an ancient tradition that really does have a place in modern life… thank you for telling us more about it.
Ah Chris…you need to arrange to be ‘tied to the computer’ on an annual basis on January 6th! So what about it? – start a new movement of Nollaig na mBán in Australia? YEAHH!
there was a lovely Nollaig na mBan celebration afternoon in Cornamucklagh House near Omeath in co Louth on Sunday all teh money raised went to Downs Syndrome charities and a great time was had by everyone
That is a lovely thing to hear Abby. Had not heard of it being used to raise funds for Charity and isn’t Downs Syndrome such a worthy cause. Glad you enjoyed your Nollaig na mBán up there in Louth and I have enjoyed your comment. Thank you ! Angela
My husband kept telling me that he was ‘meant to do whatever I didn’t want to do’ on little Christmas
I asked him to help take the decorations off of the tree, a laborious process!
Delighted to know that he is ‘getting the message’ of Little Christmas and that you had the good sense to capitalize on this by asking him to help with taking down the decorations! Isn’t it wonderful to see an old tradition spreading across the nation again! Thanks so much for your comment – much appreciated.