Nollaig na mBan Faoi Mhaise Dhaoibh go Léir

Scartaglin women, Sheila Cronin (left) and Betty Buckley enjoying their Oiche Nollaig Na mBan celebrations at the River Island Hotel. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2014

The last night: Publican Marie O’Sullivan holding a tryptich of herself and her two predecessors, her grandmother Kathleen Herlihy and her mother Maura Herlihy in the bar in Farranfore on its final Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2017

Herlihy’s Bar in Farranfore on Nollaig Na mBan and on its last Friday night before its commercial lights were quenched for the final time. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2017

Members of the O’Sullivan and McCarthy families enjoying their Oiche Nollaig Na mBan celebrations at the River Island Hotel. Included are front from left: Phyllis McCarthy, Joanie Wall, Eily O’Sullivan, Kathleen O’Sullivan and Danielle McLoughlin. Back from left: Sharon McCarthy, Mary McLoughlin, Aileen McCarthy and Catriona O’Connell. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2014

At the Nollaig Na mBan celebrations at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland were from left: Betty Lynch, Bridget Reidy, Bernie Hogan and Angela Cahill. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2013

Maureen Sugrue (left) with Maureen Walsh and Mary Stack at the Nollaig Na mBan celebrations at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2013

Julianne Templeman (back left) pictured with : Margaret McGlynn and her daughter, Mairead Callaghan and grand-daughter, Gillian Tarrant at the Nollaig Na mBan dinner at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2012

Celebrating Nollaig Na mBan with dinner at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland were from left: Joanne Fleming, Marie Lenihan, Lisa Riordan and Juliette Fleming. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2012

Enjoying their at the Nollaig Na mBan get together at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland were from left: Lill Daly, Joan Daly, Peg O’Mahony, Aoife O’Sullivan, Suzanne Nolan, Noreen Hickey, Mary Nolan, Marie O’Sullivan and Anna O’Sullivan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2012

Enjoying their Oiche Nollaig Na mBan at the River Island Hotel were front from left: Mairéad and Janette Ryan, Katie Horan, Geraldine Ryan and Tamara Horan. Back from left: Pat Ahern, Margaret Ryan and Kathleen Horan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-1-2014

You’d hardly know it now but there are just 12 days in the traditional Christmas.

And while this side of it remains intact and January 6th is solidly recognised as the last day and night, the other side is being dragged more and more towards the last week of September by vested interests.

Ireland is being widely credited with the continuation of the Nollaig Na mBan traditions and Kerry, it seems, is one of its main custodians.

Busiest Night of the Year

Nollaig Na mBan was, up to the last couple of Christmases, one of the busiest nights of the year for hotels, restaurants and pubs and miles of road for newspaper photographers.

As we mark another quiet ‘small Christmas’ I had a random look back through the archive of such nights in recent history.

Take a look – and if you’re into raising a glass to the departed do so as there are faces in the collection that are no longer with us.

Nollaig na mBan faoi mhaise dhaoibh go léir.

You can contact The Maine Valley Post on…Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.