LAST UPDATE | 3 hrs ago

WHEN I TOLD a colleague in the UK about Nollaig na mBan, she was envious, if somewhat incredulous, that the 12th day of Christmas, the day when the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem, was, in parts of Ireland, a day when the friendships, care and work of women was celebrated.

Upending wise men and, their frankly useless gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, for a new mother, with the wonderful idea of women coming together to celebrate themselves seemed revolutionary!

Nollaig na mBan has always been part of my life. Growing up in Kerry the 6th of January was always Women’s Christmas. Throughout the Christmas period, women, mothers particularly, were kept busy ensuring a groaning table of wonderful food, houses laden with decorations, delivery of Santy for the young children and provision of food and entertainment for the endless line of visitors who would come to the door. Christmas was and is a time of rest and relaxation for many, but usually not for the woman of the house.

Then on the 6th of January, the 12th day of Christmas, she was, in theory, allowed to put her feet up, relax, be served up a meal, meet her female friends later for some celebrations and end the Christmas on a relaxed note. Next day, the work would begin again as the decorations had to come down, the children were heading back at school, and life returned to normal.

Advertisement

The origins of the idea Woman’s Christmas in the South........

© TheJournal