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Irish Calendar

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The Irish calendar does not observe the typical astronomical seasons (beginning, in the Northern Hemisphere, on the equinoxes and solstices), or the meteorological seasons (beginning on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1), but rather centers the seasons around the solstices and equinoxes (so that, for instance, midsummer falls on the summer solstice), beginning the seasons at the approximate halfway points between solstice and equinox, following the seasons of the ancient Celts (see below) which are pre-Christian in origin. This Celtic origin is particularly evident in the Irish naming of many of the months: some names, like May (Bealtaine), August (Lughnasadh/Lúnasa) and November (Samhain, sometimes also in the form of Mí na Samhna) were the names of pagan Celtic festivals. In addition, the names for September and October (Meán Fómhair and Deireadh Fómhair respectively) translate directly as "middle of autumn" and "end of autumn". Christianity has also left its mark on the Irish months: December is Mí na Nollag, or just Nollaig, the latter word also meaning Christmastide.

Seasons

Winter - An Geimhreadh

January - Eanáir

Spring - An tEarrach (February, March and April)

February - Feabhra

March - Márta

The last days of March and the first three days of April are known as The Old Cows Days/The Days of the Brindled Cow or, in the Irish language, Laethanta na mBó Riabhaigh.

April - Aibreán

Summer - An Samhradh (May, June and July)

May - Bealtaine

The first Monday in May is a public holiday.

June - Meitheamh

The first Monday in June is a public holiday.

July - Iúil

Autumn - An Fómhar (August, September and October)

August - Lúnasa

The first Monday in August is a public holiday.

September - Meán Fómhair

October - Deireadh Fómhair

The last Monday in October is a public holiday.

Winter - An Geimhreadh (November, December and January see above)

November - Samhain / Mí na Samhna

December - Nollaig / Mí na Nollag'

Calendar terms in

Days of the week - Laethanta na Seachtaine

Seasons of the year - Ráithí na Bliana/Na Séasúir

Religious seasons - Séasúir Creidimh

Holidays and holydays - Féilte na Bliana

Movable feasts - Na Féilte Reatha

 


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