Nollaig na mBan: Ireland’s Little Christmas

There are two Christmas celebrations in Ireland; the first occurs December 25, and the second on January 6, which on the Roman Catholic calendar is the Feast of the Epiphany. In many countries, January 6 is when children receive Christmas presents, because legends hold The Three Magi (Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) found their way to The Baby Jesus and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh on the twelfth day of Christmas.

In Ireland, the twelfth day of Christmas is called Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas), also known as Little Christmas. It’s a day to celebrate women. Traditionally, on this day, women do no work. It’s also a day for celebrating the goddesses of Ireland and the ancient wisdom of modern Irish women.

Women can spend a girls’ night out at a pub, without the stigma of being unescorted by a male. Meanwhile, the man of the house does all domestic duties that day, including taking down all the holiday décor. Strict traditionalists would never remove holiday décor on any day other than Nollaig na mBan, because it would be considered very bad luck to do so.

On Nollaig na mBan, the lady of the house also receives a new broom for the year. It is an old tradition to take the new broom and go about the house touching the top of all doorway entrances with the new broom to ensure good luck and prosperity for the coming year.