For those interested, the latest Irish Abroad newsletter contains some holiday cheer:

Irish Christmas Traditions

Here’s a snippet:

The laden table:

After evening meal on Christmas Eve the kitchen table was again set and on it were placed a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to the house was left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any wandering traveler, could avail of the welcome.

In another Irish Abroad article, peruse the suggestions to cure a hangover:

How to Cure a Hangover

And last but not least, if you like mince there are recipes awaiting you from Irish chef Margaret Johnson:

Make the Most of Mince

Nollaig Shona duit…