| Christmas is a major deal in Ireland, everyone | | | | appreciative of this little offering because the cake |
| shuts up shop and relaxes from Christmas Eve | | | | and porter is only crumbs on the plate and empty |
| until New Years Day. Students eventually find | | | | bottles by morning. The children tiptoe down to |
| their way home, families patch up all differences, | | | | the tree as soon as the first rays of sun have |
| friends re-find one another and the pubs fling | | | | broken the sky, ripping open gifts and speaking in |
| open their doors and everybody pours in! The | | | | whispers in case they awake the slumbering old |
| country gets itself into a frenzy, lights are hocked | | | | people. They have to do this, as everyone is |
| up all over the place, shops are ransacked of all | | | | bundled off to morning mass so this is valuable |
| goods, airports are squeezed tight with the Irish | | | | present playing time. On return from mass, the |
| returning from the four corners of the world and | | | | final touches to the mighty feast that is about to |
| the winding roads and lanes of Ireland are | | | | be enjoyed are carried out. Younger members of |
| crammed with everyone rushing home for the | | | | the clan use this time to visit friends for a wee |
| Christmas Eve pint with old friends in the local | | | | sip and a chat before returning for the perennial |
| cosy tavern. On Christmas Eve, children hang their | | | | turkey and ham. Afterwards family members |
| stockings over the fireplace in nervous anticipation | | | | exchange gifts, gorge on mince pies and cream |
| of whether they will receive what they asked for | | | | and doze in front of a blazing fire while watching |
| in their note to Santa Claus before being ushered | | | | It's a Wonderful Life or some such firm festive |
| off to bed where a sleepless night awaits them | | | | favourite. In the early evening, fancy frocks and |
| as they try to catch a glimpse of Santa coming | | | | snazzy suits are donned, close friends and relative |
| down the chimney. | | | | s call around or you go to them and the night is |
| Children will raid the pantry for cake and porter | | | | whittled away sipping, chatting, laughing and |
| for Santa to have a snack after he places their | | | | dancing. Pretty perfect. |
| gifts under the Christmas tree. Santa is highly | | | | Nollaig Shona agus Bliain Ur Faoi mhaise duit! |