I received this information from my dear friends in Ireland, Maureen and Orla.
On other occasions I had talked about St. Stephen's Day which is Dec. 26th. It is a day of fun and merriment in Ireland.
We don't celebrate that day here but
thought some of you might find it interesting.
Here it goes ( directly from the Maureen and Orla) as I asked them to
explain it to me: The "Wren" boys go from house to house playing music
and singing. In some parts of Ireland they are called Mummers.
It is mostly children who go from house to house. If they don't sing, then
they will say a little rhyme that goes..."The Wren, The Wren, the King of
all birds...St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze, Up with the kettle and
down with the pan, give us a penny to bury the wren. The homes they visit
give them some money. The adults often go around to the pubs at
night and use the money they collect for charity. They dress in old clothes
and masks so no one knows their identity. More on this in my next blog.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Feast of the Epiphany - January 6th
Promised myself I would avoid the temptation to take down the tree before
the Feast of the Epipany. It is coming down today. In Ireland,
all the days after Christmas are part of the
Christmas season and not to be missed!! It is even okay to send
out your holiday cards anytime up to the 6th...(note to self for next year).
Had a few unexpected visitors and all of us were able to just unwind and
enjoy each other's company....no pressure....and eat up all those Christmas
goodies. Love this "down time" after Christmas. Hope you are able to
catch up on all my back posts so you will get an idea of where I am
going with my blog....would love to have you join!! Happy, Healthy
and PROSPEROUS New Year!
the Feast of the Epipany. It is coming down today. In Ireland,
all the days after Christmas are part of the
Christmas season and not to be missed!! It is even okay to send
out your holiday cards anytime up to the 6th...(note to self for next year).
Had a few unexpected visitors and all of us were able to just unwind and
enjoy each other's company....no pressure....and eat up all those Christmas
goodies. Love this "down time" after Christmas. Hope you are able to
catch up on all my back posts so you will get an idea of where I am
going with my blog....would love to have you join!! Happy, Healthy
and PROSPEROUS New Year!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Irish American News
My daughter, Colleen, now writes a monthly column (the Irish Connection) for Irish American News.
She mentioned my blog so now I'm under pressure to REALLY have
something to say! She has promised to stop by and show me how to
put on pictures, etc. (which she showed me once but I forgot)...so that
we can get the blog out to more people. If you are just joining my blog,
may I suggest you read some of my past blogs so you can get a feel for
where I am going with all of this....and WELCOME!
She mentioned my blog so now I'm under pressure to REALLY have
something to say! She has promised to stop by and show me how to
put on pictures, etc. (which she showed me once but I forgot)...so that
we can get the blog out to more people. If you are just joining my blog,
may I suggest you read some of my past blogs so you can get a feel for
where I am going with all of this....and WELCOME!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!
Wishing all of my followers the very best the New Year has to offer!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Happy St. Stephen's Day and the Second of the 12 days of Christmas
Today is St. Stephen's Day! Celebrated all over Ireland. My friend Mary
Lyons always calls me with the verse that goes:
The wren, the wren, the king of all birds.
St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze,
Up with the kettle, and down with the pan,
give us a penny to bury the wren.
More about St. Stephen's Day on my next post as there is something else
I would like to note and that is that the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" actually starts with Christmas day and goes up to the EVE
of the Epiphany (January 6th).... (I always thought it was the l2 day countdown BEFORE
Christmas).. I have recently learned that it is a traditional old anglo song to be sung starting the DAY of Christmas.... This is the celebration of the glorious Christmas season...so
don't take your decorations down too soon...instead...invite over a friend
to help you eat up those cookies and just RELAX in the blessings of the
season....you've got until the Epiphany (when the wisemen brought their
gifts to the Baby Jesus...and continue to celebrate in a relaxed manner...no more shopping, decorating or baking...just pure joy and thanksgiving!
Lyons always calls me with the verse that goes:
The wren, the wren, the king of all birds.
St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze,
Up with the kettle, and down with the pan,
give us a penny to bury the wren.
More about St. Stephen's Day on my next post as there is something else
I would like to note and that is that the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" actually starts with Christmas day and goes up to the EVE
of the Epiphany (January 6th).... (I always thought it was the l2 day countdown BEFORE
Christmas).. I have recently learned that it is a traditional old anglo song to be sung starting the DAY of Christmas.... This is the celebration of the glorious Christmas season...so
don't take your decorations down too soon...instead...invite over a friend
to help you eat up those cookies and just RELAX in the blessings of the
season....you've got until the Epiphany (when the wisemen brought their
gifts to the Baby Jesus...and continue to celebrate in a relaxed manner...no more shopping, decorating or baking...just pure joy and thanksgiving!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Merry Christmas - Gaelic
NOLLAIG NAOFA,
BEANNACHTAL IOSA
NOLLAIG CHROIUIL,
IS BLIAIN NUA MHAITH.
(English translation)
With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
BEANNACHTAL IOSA
NOLLAIG CHROIUIL,
IS BLIAIN NUA MHAITH.
(English translation)
With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)