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Archiver > IRL-GALWAY > 2001-12 > 1008749130


From: "Watchdog" <>
Subject: RE: [GALWAY] Christmas in Ireland
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 19:05:30 +1100
In-Reply-To: <3C20236E.62317AA7@pacbell.net>


Hi all,

Christmas in Australia is smack in the middle of summer. Temperatures can
reach over 40 degrees celsius but usually hover between 28-35 degrees. I
know the early settlers stuck strictly to their traditions where they could
but I think the weather has tempered this somewhat.

Most people put up trees. Some go for the plastic ones, others use plants
in pots. I always insist on having the old-fashioned pine branch. I adore
the smell of pine through the house and couldn't care less about the pine
needles dropping everywhere. It gets put up when it gets put up. I usually
try to go for about the week before christmas. That way the tree is still
green for christmas day - too early and it's gone brown by the 25th.

Christmas lunch and dinner vary. We always have christmas lunch for the
family, with roast beef or lamb. Don't go in too much for stuffing etc.
Christmas dinner we just have a BBQ for whoever is about. Yes we have a
plum pudding with either ice-cream, cream or custard.

Some families have backyard pools and this is where they hold their
celebrations - where they can cool off in a hurry!

But you know the spirit is still there. The christmas cards still show
snowed in cottages and european landscapes - and father christmas (the coca
cola type), and angels. Many people still attend midnight mass. I'm not
religious myself but I have attended mass once and was very impressed by the
atmosphere.

Carols by candlelight is a big thing in Australia. Because of the weather,
we can hold large outdoor gatherings. Its quite something on a warm
summer's night to see hundreds of candles in the dark and hear the carols.

I promised myself some time ago that one day I will experience a white
christmas.:)

Seasons greetings everyone.

Gale
Melbourne, Australia



-----Original Message-----
From: Pat Connors [mailto:]
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2001 4:20 PM
To:
Subject: [GALWAY] Christmas in Ireland


As we approach the Christmas and New Year's season, it might be nice to
explore the traditions and customs that are truly Irish. It would be
especially interesting if those in Canada, So. Africa, New Zealand,
America, England, etc. could compare their customs and traditions to see
how the Irish have influenced all areas of the world. While this
subject is not strictly genealogy, customs and traditions are an
integral part of understand our ancestors.

How many cook gooses for Christmas? Do you use potato stuffing? Plum
pudding? What about a tree? When is it put up, when is it taken down?
etc. etc. etc.

--
Pat Connors, Sacramento CA, listowner
http://www.connorsgenealogy.com
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