WHY I WAS HERE

As it was Women's Christmas I decided to visit my mother who will be 104 in May. This date two years ago she decided to move to a Nursing Home and that caught everyone by surprise but the family organised it so that at least one person a day would visit her. This year it was difficult to maintain the schedule as not many family members remained in Dublin for Christmas. The nursing home is effectively within the University Campus and normally I would bring my mother for a walk through parts of the campus but today she was not interested in going outside as it was too cold. The sunlight was beautiful but it was very cold.

The celebration of the feast of the Epiphany in Ireland, January 6th is marked by Nollaig na mBan or Women's Little Christmas. On this day it is the tradition in Ireland for the women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas, while the men folk 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 custom is gradually being overtaken by Mothers Day.

Although Nollaig na mBan is slowly dying out in many parts of Ireland, in Co. Cork on the South West coast, the tradition is still very strong. Many bars and restaurants in Cork City report a near 100% female clientele on this day, as the Corkonian women meet up with girl friends, sisters, aunts and mothers to celebrate their own little Christmas with Nollaig na mBan.