In Ireland, Mothers Day is not celebrated on same day as in US. Mothers
Day celebrations in Ireland takes place on the fourth Sunday in the
Christian fasting month of Lent. This corresponds to the day on which
Mothers Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated in UK, a close neighbor of
Ireland. While in the US Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday
in the month of May. But just as in scores of other countries, people in
Ireland honor their mothers on the occasion of Mothers Day for all their
love and affection.
History of Mother's Day in Ireland
The history of celebrating Mothering Sunday or Mothers Day in Ireland
can be traced to the medieval practice where children from poor families
were send to work as domestic servants and apprentices to work with the
rich. Once in the year in the middle of the Lent these children were
given a day off to visit their 'Mother Church' and worship Virgin Mary.
After visiting the Mother Church or Cathedral of their home town these
children visited their mothers and presented them with flowers they
picked along the way. Girls bake special Mothering Cake on the day.
Pattern of living changed after the Industrial Revolution and Mothering
Sunday celebration almost lapsed. The custom was revived after World War
II. Americans too helped to bring back the charm of the festival in
Eurpoean countries as their tradition and way of celebrating Mothers Day
spread far and wide.
Mother's Day Celebration in Ireland
On Mothers Day, people in Ireland present flowers and cards to their
mothers to express love and gratitude. People take their mother out for
dinners and lunches and often pamper them with breakfast in bed. Gifts
are given to mothers with love from caring children. Programmes, plays
and skits are organised at several places in honor of mothers.
