Ireland’s Mother’s Day traditions still stand apart

As Mother’s Day approaches in the United States on May 10,  Ireland’s own celebration offers an older tradition rooted in the fourth Sunday of Lent. From homemade breakfasts and bouquets to a long-standing reverence for Irish mammies, Mothering Sunday remains a cherished day on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Irish mother, while sometimes an intimidating figure – especially when it comes to her son’s girlfriend! – is much revered in Irish culture.

In Ireland, people don't celebrate Mother's Day in May. They celebrate in March on Mothering Sunday.

The history of Mothering Sunday

The Irish stay true to the custom's history by celebrating Mother's Day on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Whereas, in the United States, we celebrate it on the second Sunday in May.

The history of celebrating Mother's Day in Ireland can be traced back to medieval times, when children from poor families were sent to work as domestic servants and apprentices in wealthy households.

Once a year, in the middle of Lent, the children were given one day off to visit their 'Mother Church' and worship the Virgin Mary at special masses held in honor of Mary, the Mother of Christ.

After visiting the Mother Church or Cathedral of their hometown, these children visited their mothers and presented them with flowers they picked along the way.

The practice died out in Ireland around the late 18th century but was revived - with help from the Americans - after World War II.

Modern Irish Mom's Mother's Day

Today, it’s modernized much like it is in the U.S., with flowers, gifts, and special meals.

Many Irish still stick to traditions, however, and they are:

- The mother gets to stay in bed and is given breakfast there by her adoring children.

- Bring flowers of the fairest, bring flowers of the rarest, as the old hymn goes.

- She is allowed to pick her favorite restaurant, no surprises like for her birthday

- If there are young babies involved, Dad takes over the chores of diapers etc. 

- In the old days, a trip to "the cinema" was considered a great treat.

- Mothers often gather together for a coffee and a good old gossip 

- Kids are dressed in their "Sunday best".

- And if you want to say Happy Mother's Day in Irish, all you need to write is:

Beannachtai lá na mathair do gach einne

Happy Mother's Day from IrishCentral!

* Originally published in 2014, updated in May 2026.