Bernard O'Shea picks 7 Christmas traditions that are uniquely Irish
Bernard O'Shea: As a former barman, The 12 pubs of Christmas was a nightmare for me.
I've tried to hold off using the "C" word in our house for as long as possible. I've written before about how poor old Halloween has been completely bypassed in favour of the yuletide festivities. But already, our kids are ecstatic about Santa's arrival. Tadhg, who's five, said to me last week, "Dad, Mum said there are only six weeks until Christmas, that's like only five hours away." He's learning about time at the moment. So I've relented. I've decided no longer shall I be the Scrooge of pre-celebrations.
As I write, I'm already into day 17 of a chocolate advent calendar. Also, this morning I had a healthy breakfast of my mother's plum pudding and a can of Club orange. When this article goes to print, I imagine I'll be like George in "It's a Wonderful Life", running through the streets shouting "Merry Christmas". A film that I never remember watching at Christmas. It got me thinking about seven Christmas traditions that are uniquely Irish.
