Irish New Year traditions that span the centuries

To this day I still leave an oil lamp in the front window to light the lost strangers way until I go to bed for the evening. And yes still clean the house.

Our Irish custom, passed down through the family is to put a bag of food, a bit of $, and whatever else we want in the new year at the front door. The first person to cross the threshold in the new year brings in the bag to the household. This ensures plenty and prosperity in the new year.

Like some the the trads!!!!

We used to bang pots & pans together and make a God awful racket. Good Times.

remember my mother and her sisters saying your house and clothing should all be cleaned, washed and away, or your new year would be filled with everything dirty. I always thought it was aploy to get me to clean everything in sight!!

My Father and Grandmother are from Ireland. I am certain they practiced these traditions. I am sorry they were never passed down to me. I am very proud to call myself Irish and I let my children know that is what we are despite our other blood lines. Rest in peace Grandma Mary Murphy.

Love your stories all you posters!Have a Happy Healthy New Year!

To ourselves and cousins growing up in Ireland it was normal. Our devout grandparents and an aged aunt who lived with them wandered round the house on New Years Eve singing 'Hail Glorious St.Patrick' and other hymns dousing every chair, mantel and curtain with holy water. Including the border collie dozing by the grate. When we stopped by to wish them A Happy New Year we were hushed and handed a small St.Bridget's Cross made from rushes. A plant found by rivers and marshes (these were stock-piled from a Convent in Rostrevor with donations sent) And dutifully joined in yet another procession with candles round the yard up the stairs and down again. They didn't rest until each of us was Blessed safe and sound for the year ahead. Even in our drunken teens we yearned for this 'tradition' and knocked on the door. Often with friends in tow. And were always welcome. Scones and tea and The Litany of Loretto from the spinster aunt by the sideboard as though a piano and she a Diva. Who never touched so much as a glass of sherry and wore a lace veil 'for Special Occasions' If there's a Heaven with kind eccentric souls--I'm all for it.

Many the times I walked in the front door on New Years Eve and was carried out the back door sometime New Years Day - I had no idea thought that it was a tradition though. Me mum had red hair and her and dad would go out for New Years Eve and he would let her in first when they returned so she was the first person through the door on New Years - no wonder my childhood years were so rough.

pickled herring eaten first thing after midnight for good luck

I remember daddy would go out the back door with the old year and bring in the New Year through the front door with a sod of turf in his hand. Also we were told to never spend money on New Years day but it was really lucky to get money. I tried to keep these traditions once I came to America and the same sod of turf was used for years. It was one cut by my father in a bog in Co. Mayo. (may he rest in peace). Guimid Siochain agus Luchair na Nollag Ort.

We always had a light in the windows and at midnight we would open the front door to let the new year in.

My Grandmother always made us spit on silver coins...she said it was for prosperity in the coming year. I forgot about that until I was reading the submitted comments. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Blessed, Healthful,Prosperous and Happy New Year.

Chippert like your post ,brings back lovely memories of my growing up in Thurles also the bit of straw from the Christmas Crib at the Church was placed behind the wall picture of the Holy Family to bring good luck to the House

When we were kids my parents would wake us up at midnight and give us a piece or herring. also my Dad or his brother would always bring a loaf of bread to my Granny's on New Years Day. She was always dowsing us with holy water or water from shamrocks her brother sent her from Ireland.