Christmas in Ireland
"Oiche Nodlaig Mhaith"
Christmas is especially enjoyed by children Ireland. On Christmas Eve, at dusk, the father of the house puts a tall, thick, coloured candle in the window. The youngest child is then invited to light the candle which shines through the night until Christmas morning.
Santa Claus delivers the presents to the children. As in other countries they wake early to open them. The family then goes to church for the Christmas service, after which they like to look at the crib. Then they go home for a traditional dinner of turkey and Christmas pudding.
St. Stephen's Day, the day after Christmas Day, is almost as important. Football and horse racing are popular games played on this day but it is the Wren Boys' Procession that is most popular with the children. Carrying a long pole with a bush of holly on top, inside of which is supposed to be a wren ("king of all birds"), the Wren Boys go from house to house singing for which the receive many treats.
