The Irish Christmas wish most people use is Nollaig shona duit, “a happy Christmas” to one person, or Nollaig shona daoibh to a group. The older wishes below are worth knowing too: one for luck and prosperity, a toast to being alive next year, and the replies that go with them. Each comes with the story or custom behind it, and every claim names its source at the end. Last checked November 2026.
What does Nollaig mean, and where does the word come from?
Nollaig is the Irish word for Christmas. The standard dictionary of Irish, Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, gives “Nollaig, f. 1. Christmas” and lists “Nollaig shona” as “a happy Christmas” (teanglann.ie entry for Nollaig). The same entry gives Mí na Nollag for the month of December.
The word itself is older than Ireland’s Christianity as we know it. Dennis King’s Irish-language “Focal an Lae” series traces it from Old Irish Notlaic, which comes from the Latin natalicia, “of the day of birth”, from the verb nasci, “to be born” (Focal an Lae no. 22, 2008). So when we say Nollaig, we are saying “the birth day”.
How do you say Merry Christmas in Irish?
Say Nollaig shona duit to one person and Nollaig shona daoibh to more than one. For every greeting we could confirm twice, and when to use each, see our guide to how to say Merry Christmas in Irish.
What does “Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi mhaise duit” mean?
It is a warmer, fuller Christmas wish for luck and prosperity. Séan is the Irish word for luck or prosperity (note the é: it is not the name Seán), and the phrase translates literally as “under prosperity and under beauty”, which All About Irish describes as the equivalent of wishing someone a prosperous Christmas (All About Irish). The same faoi mhaise ending is how people wish each other a prosperous New Year, Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit (Irish Post, 7 December 2021).
How do you reply to a Christmas wish in Irish?
The Irish Post gives Gurab amhlaidh duit (to one person) or Gurab amhlaidh daoibh (to more than one) as “the same to you”. All About Irish suggests Go mba hé duit for the same meaning, or Go raibh maith agat if you simply want to say thank you.
What is the Irish Christmas toast?
Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís is a toast meaning “may we all be alive at this time next year” (Irish Post). We like it because it is a blessing and a gentle reminder in one line.
Why do people put a candle in the window on Christmas Eve?
RTÉ Brainstorm, describing Christmas in rural Ireland, says the Christmas candle is placed in a window on Christmas Eve night (Marion McGarry, RTÉ Brainstorm, updated 21 December 2025). The reason usually given is a welcome for Mary and Joseph: Wikipedia’s article on Christmas in Ireland says the candle’s primary purpose is to welcome them, citing Bríd Mahon’s Land of Milk and Honey (1998) (Christmas in Ireland).
What is Nollaig na mBan?
It is Women’s Christmas, held on 6 January, the Epiphany. RTÉ Brainstorm says it was known in Ireland as Nollaig na mBan or Little Christmas, and that men did the women’s work in the house while the women socialised and took tea and cake (RTÉ Brainstorm). Our story on why Irish women celebrate Christmas twice has more.
What happens on St Stephen’s Day?
Houses expected a visit from the wren boys, who came round the local area playing music and singing in exchange for money and drinks (RTÉ Brainstorm).
More Irish sayings, blessings and slang
For a free card of old Irish sayings to send a relative, see Old Irish Sayings to Live By.
Sources
- Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, entry Nollaig (teanglann.ie)
- Dennis King, Focal an Lae no. 22 (2008)
- All About Irish, how to say Happy Christmas in Irish
- Irish Post, 10 Irish phrases to get you through Christmas and New Year (7 December 2021)
- Marion McGarry, RTÉ Brainstorm, What was Christmas like in rural Ireland back in the day?
- Wikipedia, Christmas in Ireland (citing Bríd Mahon, 1998)
Last checked: November 2026.
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