Christmas Irish Phrases
An Nollaig
Christmas is called "An Nollaig" in Irish and is celebrated on 25 December. The greeting is "Nollaig Shona Duit!" (Happy Christmas!).
Christmas — An Nollaig — is celebrated across Ireland with a blend of religious tradition, family gatherings, and cultural customs unique to the island. Here are the Irish phrases you need to celebrate Christmas as Gaeilge.
Essential phrases
Nollaig Shona Duit!
Happy Christmas!
The standard Irish Christmas greeting
Nollaig Shona Daoibh!
Happy Christmas (to a group)!
The plural form for cards and groups
Beannachtaí na Nollag
Christmas blessings
A more traditional greeting
Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit
Happy New Year
Literally: a prosperous new year to you
Oíche Nollag
Christmas Eve
When many families attend Midnight Mass (Aifreann na Gine)
Lá Nollag
Christmas Day
The day itself
Oíche Chiúin, Oíche Mhaith
Silent Night, Holy Night
The beloved carol in Irish
Lá an Dreoilín
Wren Day / St Stephen's Day
26 December — the Wren Boys tradition
Crann Nollag
Christmas tree
The Christmas tree in Irish
Daidí na Nollag
Santa Claus / Father Christmas
What Irish children call Santa — literally 'Daddy of Christmas'
Bronntanais
Gifts / presents
The gifts under the tree
Coinneal sa bhfuinneog
Candle in the window
The Irish tradition of lighting a candle to welcome strangers
Nollaig na mBan
Women's Christmas (6 Jan)
When women rested after the Christmas work — now celebrating women
Go mbeannaí Dia an teach seo
May God bless this house
A traditional Christmas blessing for the home
The history of An Nollaig
Christmas in Ireland carries traditions found nowhere else: the Wren Boys on St Stephen's Day (Lá an Dreoilín), candles in windows to guide travellers, and the tradition of 'Nollaig na mBan' (Women's Christmas) on 6 January. Irish-language Christmas carols like 'Oíche Chiúin' (Silent Night) are sung in churches and homes across the country.
Further reading
Go beyond the phrases
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