The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IRISH CHRISTMAS

WE WOULD SING CAROLS SUCH AS SILENT NIGHT AND ADESTA FEDALAISE-COME
ALL YE FAITHFUL. WE WOULD LOOK IN THE WINDOWS AND SEE ALL THE TOYS.
WE NEVER HAD ANY TOYS. FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE WE WOULD GET AN
EVERGREEN FROM THE FIELD. FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER WE WOULD HAVE TURKEY
DRESSING, BOILED POTATOES, VEGETABLES FROM THE GARDEN, CHRISTMAS
CAKE, AND PLUM PUDDING. WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT THE HEAD OFF AND PLUCK
THE FEATHERS FROM THE TURKEY, IT WOULD TAKE HOURS. THE CHRISTMAS
CAKE WAS A KIND OF FRUIT CAKE. THE PLUM PUDDING WOULD BE HUNG FROM
THE WALL AND TAKEN DOWN FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
ON JANUARY 6.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD, IRELAND WHEN SHE WAS
YOUNG. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.
ADESTA FEDALAISE USUALLY SPELLED ADESTA FIDELES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Date learned: 00-00-1932 ; 11-22-1979