Christmas in Ireland: A Little Magic

Christmas in Ireland is a season of light, music, and fun! It begins slowly, with small smiles in shops and the sound of familiar songs on the radio.

Even on dark, rainy days, people say “Happy Christmas!” with such warmth that you almost forget the weather. In Galway, the joy of the season is something you can feel in the air, and the beautiful twinkling Christmas lights you can see all around the city really add to the cosy festive feel!

One of the first signs of Christmas is the candle in the window. Many Irish households place a single candle on the sill on Christmas Eve.

The warm flame is small, but it has a long history. Long ago, it was a message to travellers: “You are welcome here.” Today, it still feels like an open door. When you walk through an Irish town at night and see those tiny lights shining in the dark, you understand the heart of the season.

And of course, no Irish Christmas is complete without hearing the greeting “Nollaig shona duit!” [pronounced : Null-ig hun-ah gwitch] is the Irish language phrase for “Happy Christmas to you!” It feels soft, musical, and full of tradition.

But Irish Christmas is not all quiet and gentle!

On cold Christmas mornings, the peaceful mood breaks with wild bravery: the famous Christmas Day Swim. Every year, on beaches around the coast, and at our very own Blackrock in Salthill people run into the freezing sea!!

Spectators stand on the sand cheering, laughing, and sometimes shivering more than the swimmers. Many do this to support charitable causes in their areas—but it has become a joyful, crazy tradition that makes Ireland feel alive.

Of course, Christmas in Ireland also tastes good. Alongside big turkey and ham dinners and hot drinks, one of the favourite holiday treats is the mince pie—sweet, fruity, and full of spices.

Here is a simple, friendly recipe you can try at home:

Mini Mince Pies (Easy Version)

• Ready-made pastry
• Jar of sweet mincemeat
• 1 chopped apple (optional)
• A little sugar
• Butter or oil for the tin

Heat your oven to 200°C, grease a muffin tray, and press circles of pastry inside. Mix the mincemeat with the chopped apple, then spoon a little into each pastry cup. Add smaller pastry circles on top, sprinkle with sugar, and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.

Serve mince pies warm with a good dollop of freshly whipped cream, preferably with tea (of course! Irish people in general can’t get enough of the stuff!) — maybe with someone telling a good story.

As the festive season ends, the lights go down and the nights grow quiet again, but the feeling of Christmas stays a little longer in Ireland. It stays in the friendly greetings, the music in the pubs, the brave swimmers, and the shining candles. It is a celebration of welcome, warmth, and hope, even on the coldest days of the year. And that is what makes Christmas in Ireland truly magical: it is a festival not only of holiday traditions, but of the Irish heart itself.

GBS GCI Christmas Holiday Update & Office Opening Times

Our school team will take a short break over the holidays to rest and eat lots and lots of mince pies! Of course, we’ll also be getting ready for an exciting new year ahead!

Some elves will be working behind the scenes to organise classes, update materials, and make sure everything is ready for all our students in 2026!

The school office will be open on certain days during the break should you need any assistance and feel free to email us during the holiday season!