I have enjoyed reading Angela’s posts at A Silver Voice from Ireland for the past two years. This one, in particular, about Little Women’s Christmas in Ireland, is so thorough that it made no sense for me to write my own post about the matter. Thank you, Angela, I’m going to put my feet up {actually, I’m going to go back to bed!}. To women everywhere, I wish you a Nollaig na mBan.
On Monday next, January 6, thousands of women across Ireland will gather to celebrate Nollaig na mBan or Womens Christmas.
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, Women’s Little Christmas, and Nollaig na mBan. Such an important day to have 6 different names!
In Ireland, ‘Little Christmas’ 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…
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In an Irish Home 
Thank you so much for reblogging. Hope you have a wonderful Nollaig na mBan!
You’re very welcome, Angela. It is so beautifully written. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blogs in the new year.