Women in Ireland celebrate the twelfth and final day of Christmas, January 6 as Nollaig na mBan – also known as Women’s Christmas or Little Christmas.
This day was meant to be a sort of a reward for all the hard work that women did over the festive period. It also meant that the women had a day off from housework. They would rest, meet each other informally and make house calls to the homes of their friends and neighbours. What did the men do? Well, typically they would tend to household duties or take down the tree and other Christmas decorations. Not a bad idea, eh?
Now, who wouldn’t like a day to rest, to meet up with friends and have a bit of fun while doing so? Traditionally, it was the leftovers of Christmas, but now, there are plenty of special offers of bubbles, afternoon teas, dinners, and some amazing food as women in Ireland celebrate their Little Christmas.
We bring you a little round-up. Time to call your girlfriends and book yourself a day of pampering and fun.
Roganstown, Swords
This Women’s Christmas celebration offers a prosecco reception on arrival, a delicious four course evening meal and a goodie bag for everyone in attendance. The goodie bag includes a snipe of prosecco, a hotel voucher and a gift voucher from No Sixty One Salon & Spa. There’s also a drinks reception at 7.30pm followed by dinner at 8.00pm and is priced at €45 per person. Booking is essential for what is sure to be a very popular event. Call 01-843 3118 or e-mail [email protected].
Lunch at RDS, Dublin
To mark Nollaig na mBan Women’s Christmas, RDS Membership is organising a lunch on Friday, January 6. You can mark the occasion by inviting friends for lunch. Call 01 668 9244 to book your table.
An all female-led show at The Circular, Dublin
You can opt for a unique Women’s Christmas with an all female-led variety show, including comedy, history, film, sport, music, fashion and the Arts. Back after a two-year hiatus, this will be a modern twist on an old tradition. It promises a night of entertainment with talks, films, comedy and music, featuring a stellar line up of talented women. You will also get to enjoy a complimentary glass of Guinness, as tradition would have it!
Raffle and spot prizes on the night are in aid of Daisy House Association based in D8 – supporting women out of homelessness.
The two-hour variety event in the Backroom of The Circular, programmed and hosted by Jenny Keogh, will have all female contributors from the areas of history, comedy, the arts, fashion, sport, film and more. Find out more here.
Nollaig na mBan Lunch 2023, the Royal St George Yacht Club Dún Laoghaire
This event has Deirdre McQuillan, fashion editor with The Irish Times giving an engaging talk starting at 12.30 pm, and it will be followed by lunch.
Cost – €45 per head to include a three-course lunch. Find booking details here.
Ladies Night, Donegal
Nollaig na mBan is being brought in at the Market House Restaurant, Abbey Hotel in Donegal on January 6 with a Ladies Night.
Wear your favourite little black dress and enjoy a sparkling reception followed by dinner – 3 Course Set Menu €35 or opt for a la carte.
For Reservations call 074 97 21014 or email [email protected]
Nollaig na mBan afternoon tea, Donegal
Celebrate Nollaig na mBan with your girl gang at Harvey’s Point with a sumptuous afternoon tea. The Harvey’s Point website sums up the spirit of this celebration beautifully: “Originally, it was considered as a kind of day of rest for women after the Christmas rush and they would often gather together in a pub or one of their homes to chill out away from the children for a few hours. The men would stay at home to mind the little ones and do the chores to give them a well-deserved break. Thankfully the tradition lives on. All across the country, Irish ladies meet up with their female friends and relatives to celebrate their own mini Christmas, with a few tipples! This would be the perfect Christmas gift for your mother, sister or girlfriends!”
Reservations are available at 1 pm or 2.30 pm. Call to book +353 74 9722208
Adults: €35.00 per person, children: €17.50 per child under 12 years of age
Celebrate in Limerick
Limerick IFA’s farm family committee, which is chaired by Mary Breen is celebrating Women’s Christmas. It is doing so by hosting an event from noon on Friday, January 6 in the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. It is open for everyone, and includes lunch which starts with a mulled wine reception.
Tickets €45. Contact 087 6383060.
A Christmas Ball, Trim, Co Meath
Celebrate Nollaig na mBan this Jan 6th with your besties at Knightsbrook Resort Little Christmas Ball.
You will be treated to a prosecco and canape reception at 7.00 pm, followed by a delicious 3 course gala dinner in their Gullivers Suite. Afterwards, dance the night away with live music by Laura Colgan.
Little Christmas Black Dress Ladies Lunch, Kilronan Castle
The seventh Women’s Little Christmas Black Dress Ladies Lunch takes place on Sunday, January 8th, at Kilronan Castle, Ballyfarnon, in aid of North West Simon Community. The event starts at 1pm with a complimentary pre-dinner drink and canapes in the Dungeon Bar with a pianist, followed by a three course lunch at 2 pm in the ballroom at Kilronan Castle. For more information, contact Aisling McSharry on 087 770 8865 or email [email protected].
