Irish calendar
Gregorian calendar as it is in use in Ireland
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The Irish calendar is the Gregorian calendar as it is in use in Ireland , but also incorporating Irish cultural festivals and views of the division of the seasons, presumably inherited from earlier Celtic calendar traditions.
For example, the pre-Christian Celtic year began on 1 November, although in common with the rest of the Western world, the year now begins on 1 January. [1]
- Winter (" Geimhreadh ") - November, December, January ( Samhain , Nollaig, Eanáir )
- Spring (" Earrach ") - February, March, April ( Imbolc , then Feabhra, Márta, Aibreán )
- Summer (" Samhradh ") - May, June, July ( Bealtaine , Meitheamh, Iúil )
- Autumn (" Fómhar " Harvest ) - August, September, October ( Lúnasa , Meán Fómhair, Deireadh Fómhair )
The traditional Irish Calendar uses Astronomical Timing , however Meteorological Timing is also used by organisations such as the Met Éireann . [2] Both are in use in the Republic of Ireland , however generally the Astronomical Calendar is the most commonly used. [3]
In English-language Julian calendars and its derivatives, the months are based on names from Classical mythology , such as the name "February" which derives from the Roman purification rite, Februa . In the Irish calendar, the names of the months in the Irish language refer to Celtic religion and mythology , and generally predate the arrival of Christianity . The words for May ( Bealtaine ), August ( Lúnasa ) and November ( Samhain ), are the names of Gaelic religious festivals . In addition, the names for September ( Meán Fómhair ) and October ( Deireadh Fómhair ) translate directly as "middle of harvest" and "end of harvest". Christianity has also left its mark on the Irish months: the name for December ( Nollaig ) derives from Latin natalicia (birthday), referring to the birth of Christ. [4]
Historical texts [ which? ] suggest that, during Ireland's Gaelic era , the day began and ended at sunset . [5] Through contact with the Romans , the seven-day week was borrowed by continental Celts , and then spread to the people of Ireland. [5] In Irish, four days of the week have names derived from Latin , while the other three relate to the fasting done by early Gaelic Christians. [6]
- Dé Luain - from Latin dies Lunae
- Dé Máirt - from Latin dies Martis
- Dé Céadaoin - referring to Gaelic fasting: from céad (first) aoin (fast) i.e. the first fast of the week
- Déardaoin - the day between the fasts
- Dé hAoine - the day of the fast
- Dé Sathairn - from Latin dies Saturni
- Dé Domhnaigh - from Latin dies Dominicus (an alternative Latin name for Sunday, dies Solis being more common)
See also
References
- ↑ See Nora Chadwick, The Celts (1970) p.181
- ↑ A basic learning guide for primary students regarding the seasons of Ireland published by the Met Éireann. https://www.met.ie/cms/assets/uploads/2021/02/YP-Fun-Facts-Meteorological-Seasons.pdf
- ↑ "Ireland's Odd Seasons – An Seanchas Beag" . seanchasbeag.com . Retrieved 3 June 2023 .
- ↑ Wiktionary.com
- 1 2 Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia . ABC-CLIO (2006). Page 330.
- ↑ Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia . ABC-CLIO (2006). Page 331.
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