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.
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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.
6 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.sallyorob | Jan 10, 2012, 08:30 AM EST
Good article except that the Irish are a people and a whiskey, not a place. "Ireland" is home to New Year's traditions, not "Irish." And I'll take my Irish straight, thank you.
Bert Dugan | Jan 01, 2012, 11:51 AM EST
My father went outside about five to twelve to put a few coins on the window sill, then he re-entered at midnight so the first man to enter in the new year had black hair. Also, we always ate pork on New Years Day and never chicken because pigs root forward and chickens scratch backwards
LaoiseRyan | Jan 01, 2012, 09:02 AM EST
Im from rural Ireland and I have never ever heard of any of these traditions and my great granny was alive for years!
brianmack | Dec 31, 2011, 07:25 PM EST
Extraordinary piece of work! I came from four sides/Irish and a New Years tradition, in our Rockaway Beach, NY home was never to be half in and half out. That meant it wasn't going to be a good year if you returned from New Year's festivities half on the porch and half in the vestibule. Not good and usually meant a problem with the drink.
gaell1gan | Dec 31, 2011, 03:50 PM EST
My Nana always opened the front & back windows of the house, sort of like the above story. But her reasoning was more about letting the good "pishogues" in to chase the bad ones out. Happy New Year!
mixplix | Dec 31, 2011, 09:25 AM EST
In our house a bayberry candle burned to the socket brought luck to the house and gold to the pocket. I miss this tradition very much.