Christmas in Ireland

My theme for this week of Advent is "Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world".

One way I love to do that is by learning about the traditions and beliefs of people throughout the world. In years past I've studied Germany and Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, and Mexico.

This year I've decided to look at Ireland, home of my Celtic ancestors.

Agenda:

1- Research Ireland

2- Irish advent prayer

3- Make soft Irish ginger cookies
4- Irish lace garden

1. Research Ireland:

Ireland is an island nation, the continent's second largest island after Great Britain. The midlands and west coast of Ireland are dotted with damp peat bogs, and Ireland's highlands rise mainly in the southwest. Most of the island is the Irish Republic, but the northern part is still in the United Kingdom.

Ireland is famous for storytelling, music, lace-making, linen, whiskey, and the shamrock.

An Irish Christmas begins on December 8, when the tree is put up, and goes through January 6, or Little Christmas. The greeting for "Happy Christmas" in Irish is Nollaig Shona (pronounced Null-ig Hunna). 

Irish families place one lighted candle in the window on Christmas Eve, lighting the way for Mary and Joseph on their way to find the stable in Bethlehem, as a sign of welcome for those passing by, and a  silent prayer for those who could not be home at Christmas time. This custom began in the Penal times, when Catholicism was outlawed: By lighting a candle in the window Irish Catholic families signaled to any passing priest that this was a Catholic home, and they hoped that a priest might visit on Christmas Eve to celebrate Mass with them.

2. Irish Christmas blessing:

"May peace and plenty be the first 

to lift the latch on your door, 

and happiness be guided to your home 

by the candle of Christmas."

3. Make soft Irish ginger cookies:

At Christmas every Irish household will have at least one box of ‘good’ biscuits, with about 10 types of biscuits in each layer of the tin; and the rule is that you were not allowed to break through to the second layer without finishing the first layer.

I'm going to try to make 10 kinds of cookies this year, and some of them will be Irish:

Small Batch Lace Cookies

Irish Shortbread

Soft Irish Ginger Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 c. unsalted butter
• 1 c. dark brown sugar
• 2/3 c. sweet molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup crystallized ginger (optional)
• granulated sugar for rolling

Makes about 30 cookies

1. Warm the butter to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cookie pan with parchment paper.

2. Cream together the butter, sugar, and molasses. Beat in the egg. 

3. Whisk together the dry ingredients. Slowly add to the butter mixture, beating on low until the dough comes together. If desired, fold in the finely chopped crystallized ginger for an extra burst of flavor. (I chose to add a small piece in the center of one of my cookies.)

4. Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Roll each ball in granulated sugar until evenly coated and place onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until they have spread and are lightly browned around the edges. Remove and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Irish lace garden:

Ireland is famous for its lace-making, and crochet lace is one style. It was originally developed in mid-nineteenth century Ireland and was taught in Irish convents as part of Famine Relief Schemes. By 1851, approximately 16,000 women were working in crochet.

This type of lace is characterized by separately crocheted motifs, which are later assembled into a mesh background. 

Believe it or not, I crocheted a whole bunch of these flower motifs when I was in my 20's (that was who I was then!), but never finished assembling them (also very much me). Some of this cotton yarn I even dyed myself.

Finishing this project will be a priority after Christmas. I envision a garden with butterflies.