Easter in Ireland
Lent (An Carghas)
Lent is a very important time in the Christian calendar. It lasts 40 days. Christians fast during Lent to remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert fasting.
Lent is a very important time in the Christian calendar. It lasts 40 days. Christians fast during Lent to remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert fasting.
Shrove Tuesday (Máirt na hInide)
Long ago a lot of people got married on Shrove Tuesday. You were not allowed to get married during Lent in those days so people got married on Shrove Tuesday, before Lent began. Another tradition was that young women, who were not married, would throw a pancake in the air to try to catch it in their frying pan. If they caught it they would be married within the year. |
Ash Wednesday (Céadaoin an Luaithrigh)
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. The name Ash Wednesday came from the ashes which are placed on the heads of people when they go to mass. The ashes are made from the palm branches which were blessed on Palm Sunday the previous year.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. The name Ash Wednesday came from the ashes which are placed on the heads of people when they go to mass. The ashes are made from the palm branches which were blessed on Palm Sunday the previous year.
Long ago every adult had to fast on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. All they ate was a little dry bread and a cup of black tea. Nowadays people give up something for Lent such as sweets or chocolate. People still fast on all Fridays during Lent and Ash Wednesday. They go to confession and visit the specially decorated churches to pray.
Holy Week (An tSeachtain Mhór)
Holy Week is the week just before Easter. It is also the last week of Lent. It lasts from Palm Sunday (Domhnach na Pailme) to Easter Sunday (Domhnach Cásca) and includes Spy Wednesday (Céadaoin an Bhraith), Maundy Thursday (Déardaoin Mandála), Good Friday (Aoine an Chéasta) and Holy Saturday (Satharn Cásca).
Holy Week is the week just before Easter. It is also the last week of Lent. It lasts from Palm Sunday (Domhnach na Pailme) to Easter Sunday (Domhnach Cásca) and includes Spy Wednesday (Céadaoin an Bhraith), Maundy Thursday (Déardaoin Mandála), Good Friday (Aoine an Chéasta) and Holy Saturday (Satharn Cásca).
Palm Sunday (Domhnach na Pailme)
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal arrival into Jerusalem. The people welcomed him by laying down cloaks and leaves on the ground. On Palm Sunday people bring home "palm leaves"(usually the leaves of an evergreen tree such as fir, spruce or cyprus) which have been blessed by the priest. Long ago it used to be called Domhnach an Iúir in Irish because people used the leaves of the yew tree. |
Holy Saturday (Satharn Cásca)
Easter Sunday (Domhnach Cásca)
Long ago children used to decorate hard-boiled eggs. The eggs were then rolled down a hill. The winner was the person who's egg got to the bottom of the hill first without cracking.