Mother’s Day in Ireland

An Irish mother, or mammy, as she is most commonly called, is known for being strong and caring. She is full of praise for her children and is always found with a cup of tea in her hand.

Known for being selfless and hardworking, Irish mammies typically take little time for themselves, tending to their families before themselves. They can often work long hours and look after a household, meaning their day’s work is basically never done!

Mother’s Day, which takes place in March/April in Ireland each year, is a time when Irish mothers take time out of their day to day lives to be pampered by their loved ones. It’s a special day in the Irish calendar when people up and down the country show their appreciation for the motherly figures in their lives.

In this article, we will take a look at the festivities of Mother’s Day and other days which celebrate women in Ireland.

The History of Mother’s Day

The tradition of Mother’s Day in Ireland can be traced back to medieval times. It was originally celebrated as a Christian festival, when people prayed to St. Mary. Today the date of Mother’s Day each year falls on the fourth Sunday within the Christian fasting period of lent, three weeks before Easter.

The modern celebration of Mother’s Day dates back to the 1950’s, when Ireland adopted several American traditions.

What is a Mother?

Of course we know what a biological mother is, but often people have different motherly figures in their lives. What makes Mother’s Day that bit more special for some people is that it’s not just a time to honour mothers. On this day, grandmothers and maternal figures are also celebrated.

Throughout the day, mothers are showered with gifts from their loved ones. Most mothers receive flowers, chocolates, perfume or cosmetics. Cards are also sent or made by hand at school by younger children. Mother’s Day is also a great opportunity for children and family members to give their maternal figures a break from day to day housework and cooking. Mothers are encouraged to put their feet up, even sometimes being awakened to breakfast in bed.

Families often gather together to celebrate their loved ones, sometimes meeting in restaurants or the local pub to share a meal and spend quality time together.

Other Days to Celebrate Mammies!

Mother’s Day in Ireland is not the only day where women are celebrated. In the days after Christmas, on January 6th, Irish people traditionally celebrate Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Christmas. On this day, women take a much needed rest after catering to their families over the Christmas period. Nowadays, concerts and women-only events are organised in towns and cities across Ireland to mark the special day.

Remember to mark this one down in your calendar and plan something special in advance for the motherly figure in your life!