The Christmas holidays are arguably the best time of the year. Heading back into normality in January can sometimes be hard. However, the festive period doesn’t technically end after Christmas Day or even after New Years. Nollaig na mBan is the official last day of the holidays and is the perfect excuse to finish it off with a bang.
January 6th marks Nollaig na mBan, or Little Christmas . It is also known as the Feast as the Epiphany and the conclusion of the 12 Days of Christmas is celebrated. Decorations must come down on this day, maybe before but never after.
Traditionally, the day was said to be when the three kings reached Bethlehem to visit Jesus at the stable. They brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Some parts of the world call it Old Christmas or Old Christmas day.
In the Irish language, Nollaig na mBan translates as Women’s Christmas. It was said that on this day, women are to rest after the busy Christmas period. In 1998, the Irish Times wrote that God rested on the seventh day of Christmas, while Irish women didn’t stop until the twelfth.
Women could relax on this day as men were expected to cook and clean. Some would go and visit their friend’s homes for a cup of tea while others would go to their local pub. It was especially popular in rural and small-town Catholic parts of the country, particularly in the west and south.
In Kerry, many women would have rared turkeys to sell at the Christmas market and if there was any money left after the holidays, they could spend it on themselves. Goose would traditionally be served on this day.
The night before, twelve candles were sometimes lit and left in windows. In certain parts of the country, the candles would be divided up and lit by different people. It was said whoever owned the candle that went out first would die before the others. If candles were not accessible, rushes would have been dried and dipped in tallow and used in their place.
This celebration on January 6th began to decline when the role of woman in the home began to change. However, in recent years there has been a revival.
The Catholic aspect of Nollaig na mBan has declined, but hotels and restaurants around the country have started advertising events to mark the occasion. These events range from afternoon tea to lunch and beyond.
Women have also made it their mission to go visit their friend’s and have a chat over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Others have taken it upon themselves to organise events in their local pubs. In 2015, EVOKE reported that pubs in Cork and Kerry had 100% female clientele on January 6th of that year.
Do you celebrate Nollaig na mBan? Check out our list of other Irish traditions that still continue on today!
