Irish people are a cheerful and cheerful people. Therefore, they have many holidays, both public and Christian and pagan. Let us dwell on the most important of them:

New Year in Ireland

The New Year in Ireland is celebrated from December 31 to January 1. On the eve of all the residents open their doors to open the Old Year and let New. Everyone who enters the open doors will become a welcome guest. He will be imprisoned for a festive table, treated with national dishes - ced-cake and puddings - and will tell many interesting legends about the holiday.

All the Irish are religious, so in the New Year they light candles and put them near the window, as if calling Joseph and Mary. But there remained something in this holiday also from paganism. In ancient times, when the Irish worshiped pagan gods, the evil winter spirit was chased away by a noisy bell ringing. And today, when celebrating the New Year, many turn to a long tradition - they ring bells, loudly sing and scream.

Something the Irish are like the Russians. After the clock strikes 12 times, they exit on the central streets of their cities and already together, cheerfully and noisily, celebrate the holiday until the very morning.

St. Bridget's Day

St. Brigitta's Day is a popular holiday, celebrated annually on February 1, the first day of spring. According to some beliefs, it was Brigitta who took birth from the Virgin Mary, and therefore especially revere this saint.

On the eve of St. Brigitta Day, reeds of amulets are weaved from cane or reed, and hang them over the front door. The cross must hang on this place all year, protecting the house from adversity. February 1 across the country you can see a huge number of handkerchiefs, ribbons and just stripes of fabric. Brigitte will surely touch them - religious Irishmen believe that this will bring happiness, health and well-being for the whole next year.

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is the most important national holiday in Ireland. Annually it is celebrated on March 17. The inhabitants themselves say that this is a holiday of true Irish people who love their country with all their heart. St. Patrick is the heavenly patron and protector of Ireland. Long before his death, he knew when his last day would come, and ordered the Irish to celebrate him year after year with merriment. Since childhood all in the country know that there is no more important holiday than the day of March 17, which symbolizes the joy and speed of the spring.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day is very unusual. Since the morning, adults, children, and old people wear red wigs and green caps, take pre-cooked pots with clover and go to the parade.

Mark it is very unusual .Since the morning, adults, children, and old people wear red wigs and green hats, take pre-cooked pots with clover and go to the parade .The one who will find a twig with 4 petals - in his or someone else's pot - is waiting for boundless happiness .The orchestra plays all day on the streets of the city, everyone is having fun and dancing to melodic music .And when the twilight comes, the sky lights up with splendid fireworks .Closer to the night, the fun moves to bars and pubs, where a few pints of beer are being drunk to St. Patrick's honor .

Accordionist at the Irish Pub in Dublin.Holidays in Ireland
Children at the celebration of St. Patrick's Day in Dublin Holidays in Ireland
Live music in a pub in Galway Holidays in Ireland

Beltane

Celebration of the summer Beltane celebrated on May 1. Once upon a time on this day the herdsmen for the first time drove the cattle to the pastures after a long winter. In the hills, fires were lit and sacrifices were made for livestock. This rite was called upon to save the herd from troubles. All who gathered around the fire on the night of May 1 received protection from evil forces.

Like the ancient Celts, modern Irishmen are building bonfires on the first summer night, welcoming, thus, the sun and summer. And they blow up firecrackers and scream, scare away evil spirits, play old games - in general, they do almost the same thing as their ancestors.

On Beltane there is a sign: if you greet the sun on the morning of May 1, it will give you warmth and goodness all summer long, and by autumn it will allow you to harvest a rich harvest.

Samain

Celtic Halloween - Samain - celebrated in the country from October 31 to November 1. As in the whole world, the main symbol of the holiday is a pumpkin with eyes, mouth and nose. Cheerful Irishmen put it on each other and frighten passers-by all night long.

On this day one should not walk near the hills, which, incidentally, in Ireland, a myriad. In the hills, according to the Irish, there live little people. In them, the hills, celebrate the Day of All Saints spirits of deceased people.

In Samain, the Irish are particularly hardworking. They visit relatives and help them in the household.

St. Stephen's Day

St. Stephen's Day is celebrated by the Irish on December 26th. According to the old tradition, on this day in Dublin, Christmas jumps open. Also on December 26 it is customary to do good deeds. Irish boys on this day dress up chimney sweep and smudge in soot. In such a funny way, they walk the streets, sing songs and get gifts and money for it, then they give it to charity.

St. Stephen Irishmen are no less esteemed than Patrick or Brigitte. He was the first to suffer for the faith of Christ. Stefan was stoned to death for not giving up the teachings of Jesus. Even after his death, he converted several people - those who secretly decided to betray him to the land. The Irish still believe that Saint Stefan is invisibly present among the living and helps to gain true faith.