At a Glance
- Ireland’s Women’s Christmas on Jan 6 is a holiday on the 12th day of Christmas.
- The tradition began in the 19th century when women took the day off to rest and gather.
- Modern Irish women are reclaiming the day to honor contributions, friendship, and community.
- Why it matters: It offers a chance to recognize women’s roles and ease holiday fatigue.
Ireland’s Women’s Christmas on Jan 6 is being revived by modern women to honor contributions and ease holiday fatigue, after 19th-century gender-role roots.
The Roots of Nollaig na mBan
Nollaig na mBan, Ireland’s Women’s Christmas, falls on Jan 6, the 12th day of Christmas. It originated in the 19th century when women took the day off to rest and gather. The tradition reflected conventional gender roles and was never formally observed.
- Resting
- Meeting friends
- Visiting pubs (a novelty, as women weren’t allowed in many pubs)
- Gathering at homes
- Sharing leftover food
Jane Casey stated:
> “women would take the 6th of January off to rest,
They met up with friends, went to pubs – a novelty, as women weren’t allowed in many pubs – gathered in one another’s homes, and enjoyed the leftover food from Christmas.”
Today’s Irish women are redefining the holiday to honor contributions across culture, art, politics, and everyday life.
Jane Casey added:
> “Leaving behind traditions tied to outdated gender roles, younger generations have reclaimed the day as more of a way to celebrate women’s contributions to Irish culture, art, politics and everyday life, as well as female friendship, connection and community,”
Modern Reclamation
Modern women are using the day to celebrate friendship, connection, and community.
- Celebrating women’s contributions to culture, art, politics
- Strengthening female friendship
- Building community
Hadas Knox said:
> “revealed shared feelings we’ve all been carrying,”
Hadas Knox added:
> “What struck me most was how quickly it sparked deeper questions about rest, invisible labor and how much trust we place in one another at home,”
I personally felt revitalized by the idea of Women’s Christmas, especially after dealing with Christmas cards, various kid illnesses, kin keeping … and don’t get me started on that Elf on the Shelf.
I reposted Knox’s reel to my Instagram story, inviting women-especially moms-to join me in celebrating. The responses were immediate and many:
Response:
> “I’m IN!”
Response:
> “Let’s goooo!”
Response:
> “Where shall we meet for our day?”
Response:
> “Another reason to be proud of my Irish ancestry!”
This year Nollaig na mBan falls on a busy Tuesday, so my personal celebration will have to fit around work, doctor visits and shuttling kids after school. It might be as simple as taking a moment to rest, reset and resolve to offload more of the mental load next year.
So ladies, somewhere in your post-Christmas chaos, please join me in raising a glass to the wise men who may have unwittingly started this much-needed tradition – and the wise women who deserve its continuation.
Key Takeaways
- Ireland’s Women’s Christmas on Jan 6 is rooted in 19th-century gender roles.
- Modern women are reclaiming the day to celebrate contributions and community.
- The holiday highlights the mental load of the holiday season and offers a chance to rest.
Women across Ireland are turning a historic rest day into a celebration of resilience and community, offering a much-needed pause after the holiday bustle.
