Christmas decorations glimmer for the last time, resolutions gather dust, and Ireland erupts in celebration for Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Little Christmas. On January 6th, the twelfth day of Christmas, Irish women shed aprons and don crowns, claiming their time in the spotlight after weeks of festive chaos.
Her Excellency, Ms. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States of America, sparked online joy with a tweet declaring, “Tomorrow, Jan 6th, is Nollaig na mBan, a day to celebrate all the fantastic women in our lives!” Imagine, after culinary marathons, endless cleaning, and frantic gift wrapping, a day to simply be women, bathed in the warm glow of sisterhood and laughter.
Ambassador Nason further illuminated the tradition’s history, quoting the insightful poet Eavan Boland: “Our future will become the past of other women.” This day stands as a testament to that very truth, offering a moment to reclaim not just time and energy, but also to acknowledge the invisible, everyday heroics that hold families and communities together.
Tomorrow, Jan 6th, is the 12th day of Christmas, known in Ireland as Nollaig na mBan, Women’s Christmas.
— Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason (@IrelandAmbUSA) January 5, 2024
A day to celebrate all of the fantastic women in our lives, traditionally marked by 12 candles in the window.
“Our future will become the past of other women” – Eavan Boland pic.twitter.com/N3AYb08CRq
While traditions dance across the Irish landscape, some common threads bind them. Villages flicker with warm candlelight as twelve flames are lit, one for each member of a family. Others share feasts of succulent goose, a refreshing contrast to the rich meals of Christmas. Today, hotels, spas, and restaurants offer Nollaig na mBan specials, transforming it into a day for ladies’ lunches, rejuvenating spa days, or festive nights out with the girls.
But Nollaig na mBan whispers more than mere history. It’s a resounding call for the world to recognize women as the solid pillars of families and communities. It compels society to prioritize self-care and celebrate the countless ways women enrich lives every single day. Whether through traditional gatherings or modern-day celebrations, Nollaig na mBan provides a platform for unadulterated gratitude and female camaraderie.
Savor the spirit of Nollaig na mBan, and let the world know: Ireland’s women are taking center stage, and every laugh, every shared story, every moment of self-care is a celebration of the heroes who make the world a better place.
