Christmas in Ireland is the annual festival which marks the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus and its related observances, but also incorporates some pre-Christian customs.

These customs range from the traditional food and drink consumed, decorations and rituals, as well as more modern phenomena such as the Christmas day swim and annual television and radio events.

The modern Irish Christmas has become more similar to that of the British and American festive period, with emphasis on gift buying and parties.

Ireland is a predominantly Catholic country and Christmas plays an important role in religious aspects of Irish life, taking the place of the pre-Christian festival on the winter solstice.

It is traditional to decorate graves at Christmas with a wreath made of holly, ivy,[10] yew, or other evergreens.

[11] It was traditional in parts of Ulster for men to partake in an event called a "join", where they clubbed together to pay for food and drink, celebrating at any time in the 10 days of Christmas.

[1] The use of evergreen foliage such as holly was seen to represent Christ, the Crown of Thorns, and his everlasting life, but also has pagan roots.

[6] Travelling people would sell paper decorations and "mottoes" door-to-door and at town markets from the late 19th century on.

[7] In parts of Ireland, it was believed that at midnight on Christmas Eve, animals such as cows and donkeys could be heard to speak devotions in human speech.

[9] Mistletoe was not part of traditional Irish Christmas decoration as it is not commonly found in Ireland,[12] but has become a feature in modern times.

[9] Along with Great Britain, Ireland saw the introduction of Christmas trees during the reign of Queen Victoria, with their prevalence increasing from the 1840s.

The Dublin "Moving Crib" at St. Martin Apostolate on Parnell Square which depicts the traditional Nativity story from start to finish along with more biblical scenes from the Old Testament and other secular Christmas and Fairytale scenes using mechanical figures, and also the "Live Crib" with live farm animals at the Mansion House are among the most popular and well known Christmas attractions in the city, and also some of the most famous versions nationwide.

[1][17] The Forty Foot in Sandycove in Dublin and Blackrock in Salthill, Galway are traditional venues for this where hundreds brave the cold temperatures and jump into the sea.

[11] The tradition of the Christmas box largely waned after the rationing during World War II,[4] but persists in some areas of Ireland with items such as calendars and vouchers for local businesses.

[1] While Christmas dinner was being prepared, it was customary across much of the country for men and boys to play a game of hurling.

Dessert often consisted of an array of dishes, with Christmas pudding a traditional choice, which is sometimes served with brandy being poured over it and then set alight.

[9] Other desserts include Christmas cake,[15] sherry trifle, yule log and mince pies with sauces such as brandy butter.

Of the traditional biscuit selections available ahead of the festive season, the Afternoon Tea variety outsells the others.

[21] Prices increased massively over the period in 2020, due to the easing in travel restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.

It is regularly the most watched television programme of the year by Irish audiences,[29][30][31][32][33] and is broadcast live, meaning anything can and has happened.

[34][35][36] The show, which consists of an adult-only studio audience[37] dressed in traditional Christmas attire, does not accept advertisements which promote toys for its commercial breaks but, whilst new gadget-type toys regularly break down during the live show, being featured on the programme itself has been said to have a major boost to sales of a product over the following number of weeks in the build-up to the Christmas period.

[42] Joe Duffy's walk around Grafton Street, Dublin is an annual tradition broadcast by RTÉ Radio 1 on Christmas Eve.