Traditions associated with solstice in Ireland have been around for thousands of years. In County Meath, Ireland, there is a passage tomb (a type of ancient grave) called Newgrange where the entrance aligns perfectly with the sunrise on the solstice. These passage tombs in Ireland, including Newgrange and the Hill of Tara, are strongly associated with the fairies, or síd (named from fairy mounds, or burial mounds). Have you ever heard of Banshees? Did you know that the word Banshee comes from the ancient Celts? Banshees or Ban-sídhe, are sprits of death in Irish folklore. The fairies are an ancient race, essentially seen as gods today, and they are very different than the fairies we see in Disney movies. These old gods live in the Otherworld, a realm inaccessible to most of us. This realm, when interacting with ours, brings legends such as that of the kelpie, entities that are part horse and part fish, that lure people to ride them, and then drown them under the water.
Traditions from the solstice have become embedded in both Christian traditions and contemporary holidays. For instance, holly, once said to protect from evil spirits, is now used in mistletoe, which is said to lead to people kissing under it! Today, candles are still lit on Christmas Eve, once said to guide spirits home to warmth and safety, from the unforgiving darkness and cold. There is also Midnight Mass on this day, visiting the crib (aka the manger/nativity), where baby Jesus is placed and bells are rung, commemorating his birth.
Directly after Christmas Day, December 26th, is known as St. Stephen’s day in Ireland. On this day, because a wren was said to have betrayed St.
