Celebrated 12 days after Christmas, on January 6th, is Women’s Christmas or Nollaig na mBan as it is called in Ireland (pronounced Null-ug na Mon). Some of us might know this date as the Feast of the Epiphany, the day when Christians believe the Three Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts for the Christ child. But in Ireland, especially in Cork and Kerry, this day is also known as Women’s Christmas.
Although it began in the 18th century, the tradition of Women’s Christmas is still strong in western Ireland. Irish men, realizing the hard work it took their tireless spouses to organize the meals, the gifts, the decorating and the get-togethers with family and friends, took on all the household duties for the day – cooked, cleaned and looked after the children. The mothers, aunts, sisters, and daughters then left all the chores behind and went out to celebrate. For some it may have been a house party or a quiet tea with friends. For others, it may have been a night out at a public house. Some choose to exchange gifts, others not. One thing was for certain though, and that is women were expected to rest. An article from the Irish Times in 1998 joked that even God rested on the seventh day, Irish women didn’t stop until the twelfth!
There’s also another very old Gaelic saying: “Nollaig na bhfear, Nollaig Mhor Maith, Nollaig na mBan, Nollaig gan Mhaith” … which, if taken literally, means “Men’s Christmas is a fine big Christmas, Women’s Christmas is a no-good Christmas”. Perhaps a little ‘mean spirited’, but I think there may be some truth to it. Even today, leading up to Christmas, women have been budgeting, baking, wrapping, roasting, decorating and negotiating each and every aspect of the holiday season. After all the days of celebrating, every woman should get to go out for a wee celebration of her own.
Celebrating Nollaig Na mBan at Peter Devine’s Irish Pub.
According to Irish scholar, Alan Titley, the long-standing tradition of Nollaig na mBan was very common in the west of Ireland. “Most women in west Kerry would have raised five or six turkeys for sale at the Christmas market,” he said. “They kept the money – like egg money – and if there was anything left over after Christmas they spent it on themselves.” Men would brave the unknown and look after the home and children while women would steal away for a few hours in each other’s homes or the local pub to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Interestingly, it was only after 1958 when women were allowed to go into pubs in Ireland without the accompaniment of a man. Before then, January 6th was the only day of the year when women were allowed into pubs. Previously, a woman had to be chaperoned by a man, be he husband, brother, father or uncle. And God help those who may have dared to enter this male-dominated domain without a chaperone. Their reputation was sullied forever. But one day a year, on Women’s Christmas, they would enter this domain unaccompanied and without shame. Together these hard-working women would pool the few shillings they had been saving and, sitting in “the snug,” they would drink stout and eat sandwiches.
Why have I not heard of Women’s Christmas before? I’ve since learned that it is followed in parts of Scotland, Canada, Australia, and Puerto Rico, wherever large groups of Irish have emigrated. But why hasn’t this tradition been adopted here in the U.S.? We are working as hard as ever. We may be better educated than we were 100 years ago and we may not be cutting the turf, or slaughtering the chickens, but we don’t stop from morning til night. Many of us are single parents, raising a family on one income. Or perhaps we’re taking care of sick or elderly family members while having an all-consuming career. It is a fact that working mothers spend more time on work, household labor, and child care than fathers. I think its about time we strengthened this important Irish tradition, which celebrates women and all that we do.
Let’s get together … sisters, aunts, cousins, mothers … all the women in your family, your town or workplace. Gather together and celebrate Women’s Christmas! It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It just has to be!
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References: Wikipedia, Irishwomenon, Covington Travel, Ireland Fun Facts, The Independent, Irish Central,
During the middle ages, beer and ale were the most common drinks in Britain. Because many of the rivers and waterways in the cities were polluted, water, at that time was not always safe to drink. Beer (a much less alcoholic version than we know today) was drunk with every meal, by everyone, every day. Providing the bulk of the caloric intake, beer was also believed to be nutritionally good for you.
With the death of Queen Elizabeth’s husband, the beloved Prince Albert in 1871, a local pub owner decides to create a drink in his honor. By combining Guinness’ Stout with champagne, he created the Black Velvet, a drink that is still very popular today.
The Guinness brewery grew by leaps and bounds and remained in the family for four generations. The original 4-1/2 acre property grew to where it boasted its own medical facility, fire department, railway system and canteens; and it took very good care of its workers. By the 1900s the brewery provided unparalleled benefits for its 5,000 employees, costing the brewery one-fifth of its total wages.
Put the browned steak back into the pot. Pour in the beef stock (homemade or store bought), the ale (Guiness is perfect) and tomato paste. Combine well and then add the bay leaves. Taste to adjust the seasoning – adding salt and pepper as needed.
If you are making one casserole, then nothing else needs to be done – except for cutting a hole in the middle for the steam to escape while baking. If you are making individual servings, as I did, then cut the pastry for the amount of dishes you are making. I made six ramekins – so I cut the pastry into six pieces – with a hole in the center of each one.
Place the casserole dish or dishes onto a baking tray – leaking can occur. Place the tray into the oven at 400° and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the pastry is nicely browned. When it’s browned, it’s ready! Remove from the oven and eat!