St Stephen’s Day

St Stephen's Day is an opportunity for Irish people to spend an extra day with their families. Traditionally, they go out to listen to a few Christmas carols sung in the street and then go to the Pub to have a few drinks in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
St Stephen's Day is an opportunity for Irish people to spend an extra day with their families. Traditionally, they go out to listen to a few Christmas carols sung in the street and then go to the Pub to have a few drinks in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

St Stephen’s Day is a public holiday in Ireland and is held on 26 December. It pays homage to St Stephen, who was the first Christian to die as a martyr according to the Christian religion. The Irish attach great importance to this holiday, and take advantage of it to extend the Christmas holidays and go and play horse races, one of the great specialities in Ireland!

The Feast of Saint Stephen

A Day Dedicated to the Family

St Stephen’s Day (also called Lá Fhéile Stiofán in Irish Gaelic) is an opportunity for Irish people to spend an extra day with their families. Tradition has it that they go out to listen to some Christmas carols sung in the street and then go to the Pub to have a few drinks in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The most Christian among them then go to their churches to attend the ceremonies dedicated to Saint Stephen. This is where the story of the saint, who died as a martyr in the name of Christianity, is remembered.

Various Traditions

Some Irish regions want children to go knock on the doors of the houses around them, with a small caged wren (a kind of small bird), to try to earn a few pennies.

Finally, the most gambling Irish go to the horse races in the region. Some take bets there, while others only attend the races for fun.

Others take the opportunity to go for a walk in the small surrounding villages, or to explore the Irish coasts. A way to relax after the Christmas holidays!