Nollaig na mBan, pronounced NUL-ig nuh MAHN, is Women's Christmas, celebrated in Ireland on January 6. Also called Little Christmas, it falls on the Feast of the Epiphany and marks the end of the Christmas season. Traditionally it is the day Irish women rest after the holidays while the men take over the housework, and women gather to celebrate together.
What Is Nollaig na mBan?
For generations, Irish women carried the work of Christmas: the cooking, cleaning and hosting. On January 6 they finally put their feet up. Women met in each other's kitchens for tea and Christmas cake, and later in pubs and hotels, while husbands and sons cooked and cleaned. The custom has always been strongest in Cork and Kerry, where it never died out.
Little Christmas and the Epiphany
January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany, when Christians remember the visit of the Three Wise Men. In Ireland it is also called Nollaig Bheag, Little Christmas, and it is the traditional day for taking down the Christmas decorations. Many families still believe it is unlucky to leave them up any longer.
How Nollaig na mBan Is Celebrated Today
- A night out: friends, sisters and mothers meet for dinner, afternoon tea or a drink.
- Charity events: many towns hold women's lunches and fundraisers.
- A gift: children and partners give the women in their lives a small present to say thank you.
- A day off: the women of the house are treated to a rest, and someone else does the dishes.
Gift Ideas for Nollaig na mBan
A Nollaig na mBan gift is a thank-you to the mother, grandmother, sister or friend who made Christmas happen. Celtic jewelry is a natural choice: a love knot for a mother, Claddagh earrings for a sister, or an emerald Claddagh ring for someone proud of her Irish roots.
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How to Wish Someone a Happy Nollaig na mBan
Say Nollaig na mBan shona duit (NUL-ig nuh MAHN HUN-uh gwitch), "a happy Women's Christmas to you." For Christmas greetings in Irish, see our guide to Merry Christmas in Irish.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nollaig na mBan?
Nollaig na mBan is Irish for Women's Christmas, celebrated on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. Traditionally it is the day Irish women rest after the Christmas season while men take over the housework, and women gather with friends and family to celebrate.
How do you pronounce Nollaig na mBan?
Nollaig na mBan is pronounced NUL-ig nuh MAHN. In Irish, the "m" in mBan eclipses the "b," so the word is said with an m sound. Nollaig means Christmas and na mBan means "of the women."
Why is January 6 called Little Christmas?
January 6 is called Little Christmas, or Nollaig Bheag, because it is the Feast of the Epiphany, the twelfth day after Christmas, and closes the Christmas season. Before the Gregorian calendar, it fell close to the old date of Christmas.
Where is Nollaig na mBan celebrated?
Nollaig na mBan is celebrated across Ireland, but the tradition is strongest in Cork and Kerry, where it has been kept alive for generations. It has grown in recent years, with women's lunches, charity events and nights out held around the country and among the Irish abroad.
What is a good gift for Nollaig na mBan?
A good Nollaig na mBan gift is a thank-you to a mother, grandmother, sister or friend. Irish jewelry such as a Celtic love knot pendant, Claddagh earrings or a Claddagh ring is a popular choice, along with afternoon tea, flowers or a day of rest.
About the Author
Jennifer Derrig founded The Irish Jewelry Company in 2006. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), she designs Celtic and Irish jewelry that carries the stories, symbols and language of Ireland. Follow Jennifer on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
