Today is Women’s Little Christmas, a day when Irish women are traditionally spoiled by the men in their lives. Known in Irish as Nollaig na mBan, it is celebrated on the twelfth and last day of Christmas, coinciding with the feast of the Epiphany, January 6th.
The three kings visited Jesus in the stable with gifts. In olden times the men of Ireland commemorated this gift giving by bestowing upon their wives the greatest gift of all, a day free from house work. By assuming all household chores and preparing a big meal for the women of the house, men recognized their wives and daughters for their tireless work over the Christmas season. Children would buy or make gifts for their mothers on this day, but this gift-giving ritual is now more common on Mother’s Day.
The tradition of Nollaig na mBan is dying out in many parts of Ireland, and was strongest in years gone by in the southwest counties of Cork and Kerry. I may have been born in Dublin, but with both my parents hailing from County Cork, the tradition of Nollaig na mBan was well known in our house when I was growing up. With three daughters and no sons, my father was a busy man.
Counties Cork and Kerry are the main areas where this custom is still adhered to. Many women go out with their girl friends for a meal, a chat and a little post-Christmas get-together, leaving their men at home to their own devices. I pray this tradition never dies away completely. Since Nollaig na mBan falls on a Sunday this year, I bet the restaurants and bars of Cork will be filled with women today.
When I married my Donegal husband he had never even heard of the custom. It didn’t take me long to inform him of all the details – especially the piece about not needing to cook on this special day.
I often heard the day referred to as “Little Women’s Christmas”, not the more traditional title of “Women’s Little Christmas.” I think the former is a typical Cork expression. When I was a little girl I was never quite sure if the word ‘little’ was referring to Christmas or the women. I worried my poor mother might be too tall to be included.
So tall or short, I hope all the women of Ireland, America and the world are treated like royalty today. May all the overworked women of the world go ahead, and put their feet up for a well deserved rest. I know that’s my plan for the day.
Wishing you all a very happy Women’s Little Christmas.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
Where to next on your Irish heritage journey of discovery? You might be interested in ….
An Irish Christmas – Ancient Rural Traditions
A Candle In The Window – An Irish Christmas Tradition
Christmas Chocolate Yule Log Recipe
Hope you had a wonderful day of relaxing Mairead! I loved hearing about how you worried your mother would be too tall to be included- too funny!
Thanks Aimee. It’s funny how we interpret words as kids, taking everything quite literally. I have had a lovely day today, and am ready to face a busy day tomorrow, back to school and back to our routine.
All the best,
Mairead
Hi Mairead, i’m sure your Donegal hubby knows little Christmas now, as i’m sure he and your four little ones gave you a nice day off. He may need a trip to the local before getting back to the routine.
Cheers,
Brian.
Brian – We had a lovely relaxing day today – a lovely tradition, that has my vote every year. We just need to bring Women’s Little Christmas to America, now.
All the best,
Mairead
Mairead- thanks for the info, but I just got your post and it’s almost 8 pm! Too late to convince my hubby to take over the day’s chores☹️ Oh well, maybe next year, sigh…..
Hope you had a wonderful day!
Deborah
Hi Deborah – You can give your hubby a year’s notice for next year – it will be your day to take things easy. I hope you had a good day anyway. Thanks so much for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mairead,
What a beautiful custom! Especially a beautiful picture of old Ireland!❤️🇮🇪
Thanks for the insight into your Ireland!
Jeff
Hi Jeff – Thanks for checking out this story about this old Irish tradition. It is observed in Counties Cork and Kerry the most, and since my family are originally from County Cork we still observe it to this very day.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mairead what a great custom. I hope you had a relaxing and joyful day. Your post are always so interesting.
Marion
Hi Marion – I’m so glad you enjoy my ramblings about Ireland. I always love this tradition – it’s a wonderful way to end the holiday season.
All the best,
Mairéad
Thank You Mairead for this informative post. Hope you had a good day and is well rested.
Marilyn
Thanks Marilyn. I hope you too enjoyed the weekend. My daughter and I always go out for lunch together on Women’s Little Christmas since her Dad sometimes has to work on the day. We had a lovely time, and enjoy our annual tradition.
All the best,
Mairéad
Hope you had a nice restful and relaxing day.
Joan
I sure did, Joan. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
Mairéad
Dear, Mairead, I so love your stories and photos. Love Ireland and wish I could spend a year there.
Thank you so very much for all the wonderful information.
Blessings to you and your family in this new year!!!
Alice
Hi Alice – A year in Ireland would be a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the culture. Many thanks for following my recipes and ramblings and wishing you all the best for 2019.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
From my childhood,my family celebrated Little Christmas with a few rituals(some of which I continue to this day). Our tree does not come down until after Little Christmas, there was always an extra little gift on under the tree on the morning of the 6th and we went out to eat dinner that day. My father’s family was from Cork, so I now assume that’s where it started, my Mom’s family was from Mayo but she fully enjoyed this “extra” holiday, so I knew it was an Irish thing but did not know the full story. I continue to keep the tree up until after the sixth explaining about the three kings arriving at the stable. I was surprised this year to find that this tradition is also observed in other cultures when my son mentioned that a friend told him that his family also celebrates this day but they call it The Three Kings Day and they are originally from Spain.
Hi Irish Grandma – It’s lovely to hear that your family brought the tradition of Little Christmas to the United States. Your Cork father probably grew up celebrating Women’s Little Christmas. Spiced beef is the dish of choice in Cork for Little Christmas. I have also heard that Three Kings’ Day is also celebrated in New Orleans.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mairéad
Hi Mairead – In New Orleans we refer to January 6th as LITTLE CHRISTMAS.
My mother’s side of the family was Irish and I have a feeling that that’s
how we came to use the phrase “Little Christmas”in New Orleans.
I guess that “mother” was dropped over time and it simply became Little Christmas
as a time to celebrate the 3 kings day.
Hi Sharon – How interesting. I would say it was your mother’s family who brought the term “Little Christmas” with them to New Orleans. The French custom of celebrating Three Kings Day coincided perfectly with the Irish observance of Little Christmas. Thanks so much for stopping by and letting us know about your family traditions.
All the best,
Mairéad