What does Dublin look like at Christmas?
Dublin is the capital of Ireland, a city built on both banks of the River Liffey, with old bridges, brick houses with colorful doors and tall windows. In December, garlands of lights stretch across the streets, and the bridges light up one after another as evening falls.
The market by the castle
Building work on Dublin Castle began in 1204, and part of its medieval walls still stands today. In December, Christmas stalls usually appear in its courtyards and the streets around it: craftspeople selling handmade decorations, sweets and hot drinks. Strings of lights hang overhead, and the air smells of cinnamon and roasted nuts.
What do you find at the market?
- Mince pies, small sweet pies filled with dried fruit and spices, eaten only at Christmas time.
- Handmade ornaments: little angels, stars and glass houses that look like Dublin’s old windows.
- Live music: fiddles, whistles and carols played right next to the stalls.
- Hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts to keep your hands warm.
What can kids do in Dublin?
- Listen to the buskers on Grafton Street, the pedestrian street where there is music on every corner at Christmas.
- Cross the River Liffey on the Ha'penny Bridge, a white iron bridge, lit up in the evening.
- Walk through the courtyards of Dublin Castle and look for the stalls with ornaments.
- Count the candles in the windows on the way home in the evening.
Two Irish Christmas traditions
The candle in the window
On Christmas Eve, many Irish families place a lit candle in the window. In the old days, the youngest child in the house lit it. The light told every traveler passing by: you are welcome here.
Wren Day
On 26 December, St Stephen’s Day, in some parts of Ireland children and young people dress up in straw costumes and colorful clothes, sing from house to house and collect coins. The tradition is called Wren Day, named after a tiny bird, the wren.
A taste of Ireland: Christmas pudding
The Christmas pudding, Christmas pudding, is a dessert full of raisins, cranberries, apples and spices, made well before the holidays. The family recipe, to make together with an adult, is in the book.
How do you say “Merry Christmas!” in Irish?
Nollaig Shona!
Try saying it at dinner on Christmas Eve.
What word did Mira discover here?
In each of the eleven cities of the journey, Mira finds a special word. The word from Dublin is written in her Christmas passport, at the end of chapter 2.
