Irish Christmas
"Nollaig Shona Dhuit" (NoLik Suna Ditch) means "Merry Christmas" in Irish Gaelic.
"Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, a
ha'penny will do. If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you!"
Cleaning for Christmas:
The time leading up to Christmas is busy in Ireland. Women clean the inside, polish the floors, the silver, the
furniture, every nook and cranny is "made presentable." The men clean and whitewash outbuildings and yard
entrances, passageways, and surroundings. The children are especially good, because in Ireland...like elsewhere in
the world...Santa's watching!
Advent:
The Christmas season really begins with Advent, the four weeks before Christmas. In many homes, Advent wreaths
and Advent candles are used. The Advent candle is lit every night and prayers said to prepare hearts for the birth of
the Christ Child.
annaabi.ee 
