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Irish New Year traditions that span the centuries

From the odd to unusual, the Celtic spirit prevails

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 6:44 AM

Updated Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 6:51 AM

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23 Comments

Happy New Year! The ancient traditions attached to the New Year's celebration

Irish is home to some of the most unique traditions and superstitions and this is especially true when it comes to ringing in the New Year.

Centuries ago it was customary to begin the New Year with a spotlessly clean house. As a result houses were thoroughly cleaned as it signified a fresh start to the New Year.

Another tradition involved banging on doors and walls of the house with Christmas bread to chase the bad luck out of the house and invite the good spirits in.

On New Year’s night, families would remember those who has passed away that year before by setting a place for them at the dinner table and leaving the door unlatched.

A lot of meaning was also placed on who would be the first person to pass through the door on New Year’s day. If it was a tall dark handsome man, this would bring the home and it’s occupants good luck but if it was a red haired girl it would bring hardship and grief.

Those who were single were advised to place sprigs of mistletoe, holly and ivy leaves under their pillow so they would dream of their future wives and husbands.

At midnight many would enter the house through the front door and leave through the back door for good luck.

Do you know of any other Irish New Year traditions? Please tell us below.

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23 Comments

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jimwmoore | Jan 01, 2012, 03:51 PM EST

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.

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HarpLL123 | Dec 31, 2011, 10:08 AM EST

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.

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1irishgirl | Jan 02, 2011, 10:28 PM EST

Like some the the trads!!!!

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ardgehane | Jan 02, 2011, 08:16 PM EST

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

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nanaben7 | Jan 01, 2011, 06:02 PM EST

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!!

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cloverkat | Dec 31, 2010, 11:40 AM EST

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.

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Searlit | Dec 30, 2010, 10:22 AM EST

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

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Watereskhill | Dec 30, 2010, 02:50 AM EST

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.

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REM1875 | Dec 30, 2010, 01:35 AM EST

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.

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ohbill26 | Dec 29, 2010, 10:03 PM EST

pickled herring eaten first thing after midnight for good luck

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Bernie57 | Dec 29, 2010, 07:41 PM EST

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.

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mollygallagher | Dec 29, 2010, 05:36 PM EST

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

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Mavaureen | Dec 29, 2010, 04:40 PM EST

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.

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EileenL | Dec 29, 2010, 01:29 PM EST

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

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Sharont6 | Dec 29, 2010, 01:28 PM EST

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.

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