St Stephen’s Day is an Irish public holiday held on December 26. The latter pays homage to Saint Stephen, who was the first Christian to die a martyr’s death. The Irish attach great importance to this festival, and take advantage of it to extend the Christmas vacations and go horse-racing, one of Ireland’s great specialities!
St Stephen’s Day (also known as Lá Fhéile Stiofán in Irish Gaelic) is an opportunity for Irish people to spend an extra day with their families. The tradition is to listen to a few carols being sung in the street, and then to have a few drinks at the Pub in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The more Christian among them then go to their churches to attend the ceremonies dedicated to Saint Stephen. The story of the saint, who died a martyr in the name of Christianity, is recounted.
In some parts of Ireland, children are expected to knock on the doors of nearby houses with a caged wren (a kind of small bird), to try and collect a few pennies.
Last but not least, the most playful Irish go to the local horse races. Some take bets, while others just attend the races for fun.
Others take the opportunity to stroll through the surrounding villages, or explore the Irish coastline. The perfect way to unwind after Christmas!
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