A number of events are taking place across the country today (Monday) to mark the traditional holiday of Nollaig na mBan, or “women’s little Christmas”.
January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany, is recognised as the last day of the Christmas season. In Ireland Nollaig na mBan is by tradition the day when women would generally take a break from the cooking and cleaning associated with the festive period, leaving them instead to men.
While domestic duties may be more equally shared across households in contemporary Ireland, the day of celebration is still marked by many.
Women’s Aid encouraged people to sign up for its Cold Swim for Women in order to raise funds for the charity, with participants able to take part in the event nationwide. Swimming groups and individuals around the country took their dip on Sunday to raise funds to support survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
Ireland weather: Status orange warnings issued ahead of extreme cold that could be ‘dangerous to life’
Man (60s) dies after ‘altercation’ on Baggot Street in Dublin city centre
Witness who failed to appear at Diarmuid Phelan murder trial arrested in Dublin
The last thing our teenage son said was: ‘Why are you all so sad? I’m going to be fine’
The Irish Writers Centre is, meanwhile, hosting an event at Pearse Street library in Dublin on Monday night showcasing women writers including Jessica Traynor, Zoé Basha, Marianne Lee, Nuala O’Connor, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, Anne Tannam and Sophie White.
The communities of Ballybough, Clonliffe and North Strand in north Dublin will celebrate Nollaig na mBan with a daylong festival honouring local women. It includes an awards ceremony, a special conversation with Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington and a live music trail. The event begins at 2pm at the Charleville Mall Library.
The Cabragh Wetlands Centre in Holycross, Co Tipperary, also hosted an event on Sunday which included a range of talks on women’s health, chanting and poetry as well as some workshops.
The VHI mini-marathon, which takes place in June, had been running an early bird offer to mark Nollaig na mBan with a discounted registration fee, which has now sold out.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
