Или счастливого рождества. Улицы 25 декабря пустые. Ни кто и ни чего не работает. Магазины, рестораны, кафе – все закрыто, даже  автобусы и трамваи не ходят. Очень удивился, но макдональдс тоже не работал.

На фото центральная пешеходная улица - Графтон Стрит. Обычно тут столько народа, что не протолкнешься. Туристам перекусить негде. Завидев человека с едой или с кофе, голодные туристы стараются узнать где можно купить тоже самое.

The Holemaster Tree

Hope you all have a great Christmas, whatever you do and wherever you are. If you’re not celebrating Christmas, have a nice Thursday. My family are split in three this year. One group in their home in Switzerland and one sister and her crew and my brother are currently on an Air France jet heading for the Indian Ocean and oh yes I wish I was with them. The remaining three of us and extended family are going to be in grey wet Dublin but we’ll have some feast none the less. Here’s a little pic of my tree which isn’t a perfect specimen but bockety trees need the love too. Someone will probably fall into it drunk over the next two weeks. I was shopping trolleyed into a Christmas tree once, so it may well be me.

I love all things Christmas. Trees, decorations, A Christmas Story, and the occasional snow flurry. Nativity scenes, Willy Wonka, The Wizard of Oz and the Chocolate Factory, houses with lights, and sled riding.  I love it.

We all know the corner stones of an Irish Christmas, watching candles flicker on the mantelpiece, a Cristmas tree stand proudly with presents nestled underneath.  Letters have been written to Santa.  Family christmases are planned, turkey and ham are ordered for the big day and mulled wine is abundant.

This is a time of preparation.  Time to ensure that tinsel and candy cane are present and know that lights from candles in windows symbolise a light for those that need it.   A manger illustrating the nativity in held in the crib. Puddings are already prepared with traditional nuts and berries.  Caroling can be a wonderful family Christmas time outing and pantomimes have begun.

And don’t forget the instutions of your Moore Street wrapping paper and watch your handbag on Grafton Street as you exit BT; there are plenty of pick pockets out there.. enjoy !

It’s December 21st, the shortest day of the year; either the middle of winter or the start, depending on your view (here in Ireland, winter really only kicks in from mid-December onwards). The lucky annual lottery winners had a fantastic clear frosty morning to witness the solstice dawn in Newgrange, but the view I experienced from the hill fort in Glending, Co. Wicklow this morning was just as rewarding.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Update: My sister (the teacher) informs me that the modern spelling for Nollaig Shona Dhaoibh (i.e. Merry Christmas to you (ye)) is Nollaig Shona Daoibh, well you learn something new every day!