CELEBRATING EASTER IN IRELAND

Easter has always been one of the most important religious dates in the Irish calendar, apart from St Patrick’s Day.

For the Irish, Easter is a celebration that should be taken seriously, whether they consider themselves to be religious or not.

GOOD FRIDAY in Ireland—“Good Friday” or Easter Friday celebrates the crucifixion of Jesus.

Some Irish traditions on this day:

• Clear the house from top to bottom
• Bless a house by the local priest
• Plant a small quantity of seed (crops not flowers) to bestow a blessing on the family
• Avoid any possible bloodshed by downing your tools and refraining from working outdoors
• Mark an Easter egg on Good Friday to be eaten on Easter Sunday (just the one!)

The sale of alcohol is prohibited in Ireland on Good Friday. Most of the pubs are closed. It is a day of prayer and mourning in preparation for Easter Sunday celebrations.

It is a day of prayer and mourning in preparation for Easter Sunday celebrations.

• NON-RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS

For non-churchgoers, there are sometimes equally as many secular traditions to take part in. First and foremost is everyone’s favourite Tuesday – Pancake Tuesday! Few people realize that this is directly related to Easter; it was the last chance to use up all the delicious ingredients that would be forbidden from the next day, Ash Wednesday, until Easter Sunday.

Of course, many of the traditions popular in the rest of the world are also present in Ireland. Including the Easter Bunny, painting eggs, picking spring flowers, and symbols such as fluffy yellow spring chicks and lambs, the colours yellow-orange and white, ribbons and bows on everything, and so on.

Easter Monday is a public holiday, and many working adults get a day off work on Good Friday too.

Enjoy your Easter holidays and come to study English and discover Ireland with us! HAPPY EASTER!

Liffey College, English for everyone!