Holidays Around the World – Ireland Edition!
Grab your passports – we’re going on a holiday adventure! I’ve teamed up with some amazing bloggers to take your students on a Holiday Trip Around the World! Let’s check out some fun activities and crafts for your classroom. 👇
One of my absolute favorite countries I’ve been fortunate to visit is Ireland. Maybe this Irish girl is a little biased, but I just think it’s simply magical!
Since much of Ireland is predominantly Catholic, Christmas is an important holiday, as it celebrates the birth of Jesus! Christmas is celebrated from December 24th – January 6th, or Epiphany.
Happy Christmas in Gaelic!
In some Irish homes, people put a tall, thick candle on the sill of the largest window after sunset on Christmas Eve. The candle is left to burn all night and represents a welcoming light for Mary and Joseph.
Irish Christmas Candle Craft
In your classroom, you can make these “candles” with your students! Did you know holly wreaths hanging on doors originated in Ireland? Long ago, holly was one of the most common plants that flourished in Ireland around Christmas time.
Families made holly wreaths as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes! You can create these simple to prep wreaths with just a few supplies! This is a great buddy project {as their are lots of nooks and crannies to cut through!}
Related Reading: Gingerbread Man Activities for First Grade
Irish Christmas Traditions & Freebie
To celebrate the feast of the Epiphany {when the Wise Men reached the Baby Jesus}, women throughout Ireland celebrate Nollaig na mBan {Women’s Little Christmas}. Traditionally, women get together and enjoy their own Christmas while the men stay at home and handle all the chores.
It is also common for children to buy their mothers and grandmothers presents on this day {though this tradition is slowly being overtaken by Mother’s Day}
Love that tradition!
Unfortunately, there are very limited books specific to Christmas in Ireland! However, a class favorite is An Irish Night Before Christmas! Please note: there are mentions of beer/cider in this book so use your discretion before you buy or read to your students!
Want to make these Irish goodies in your own room?
If you’re looking for a comprehensive way to teach the Continents check out these project ideas!
Christmas in Ireland Recap
Whether you’re making welcoming candles for Mary and Joseph or crafting traditional holly wreaths with your students, bringing Ireland’s Christmas magic into your classroom creates unforgettable memories and meaningful cultural connections.
These hands-on activities are perfect for partner work and help our little learners discover how children around the world celebrate this special season! 🍀✨ Don’t forget to grab the free Irish Christmas activities to bring these magical traditions to life in your classroom.
Slainte!
Related Products: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Holidays Teacher Stamps
5 Responses
I would love to visit Ireland someday… probably because of the movie “PS I Love You” (such a sweet movie!).
I had no idea hanging holly wreaths on doors started in Ireland. Love the crafts you created!
Stephanie
I am currently trying to talk my husband into going to Ireland! We thought about it over Christmas break but way too cold! Thanks for sharing, I will be adding the candle to my holidays around the world file.
I can’t wait to check out The Irish Night Before Christmas. This will be a fun way to support comparing and contrasting tales from different cultures. Thank you for sharing.
Laura
Core Inspiration by Laura Santos
I LOVE Ireland! I also love the idea of the women getting their own holiday while the men take on the chores! 😉 Thanks so much for the great freebie! We’ll have fun with these for sure! 🙂
~Erin
Mrs. Beattie’s Classroom
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am doing a quick project with my homeschooled daughter on Christmas in Ireland so I don’t want to pay a bunch of money for a Christmas craft bundle but my daughter is such a hands on crafting kind of learner. This is perfect and exactly what I was looking for to finish off our presentation!