January 6th! In Ireland and Puerto Rico (?), it is the traditional day to remove the Christmas tree and decorations that have been hanging around your house like a guest that won’t leave.
More importantly though it is Nollaig na mBan.
Yes it’s Little Christmas, otherwise known as Women’s Christmas here in Ireland. Traditionally this was a day when the womenfolk got waited on hand and foot, met their pals for dinner or a night out.
We thought we’d take the chance to celebrate Mná na hEireann with some of our favourite Irish women.
Gráinne Mhaol
Born Grainne O’Malley, Gráinne Mhaol was a legendary Irish pirate that lived in Ireland in the 16thcentury. She sailed from island to island along the west coast with her fleet of ships. She raided as she went, building up a great hoard of wealth and earning her title as the Pirate Queen. She was also one of the last Irish leaders to defend against English rule in Ireland. She kicked ass and made Captain Jack Sparrow look like Captain Birdseye.
Just ask Neil!!
Mary Robinson
Michael D is wonderful but really there can only be one name on The Best Irish President ever trophy. Not only was she the first woman to hold the office but she was the first to make it a truly relatable role. She was smart, warm, honest and a ‘credit to the country’. She also inspired the greatest tapestry to be ever woven.
Brenda Fricker as Christy Brown’s Mam
Brenda Fricker rightly won the Oscar for her portrayal of Christy’s long suffering mother. Strong but soft, tough but fair...She epitomises why Irish mammy’s are the best in the world.
Saoirse Ronan
With her latest in a string of remarkable performances coming in ‘Brooklyn’, Saoirse Ronan has established herself as one of the best actors in the world right now. Making her breakthrough at a young age with an incredible turn in ‘Atonement’ she has built her reputation and her trophy cabinet with appearances in the likes of ‘The Lovely Bones’, ‘Hanna’ and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. She handles getting called Soosha, Sishy and Susshi with great aplomb too. She’s just brilliant and we love her.
Amy Huberman
It’s fair to say we Irish can be a little slow in coming forward when it comes to admiring our own but there is one Irish woman that defies all begrudgery. Smart, funny and beautiful Amy Huberman tops everyone’s best friend wish-list. Only BOD the God was worthy of our Amy. Follow on her twitter, she’s the craic!
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Katie Taylor
Arguably one of our greatest sports stars, Katie Taylor has fought her way into our hearts with some world beating performances inside the ring and no shortage of smarts and charm outside it. If we didn’t love her enough she recently burned fellow boxer Michael Conlan so hard and so hilariously we wanted to erect a statue on O’Connell St. When he offered a photo of himself with his medals with a rather cheeky 'Medal anyone?', Taylor hit back with this.
@KatieTaylor
@mickconlan11 no thanks Mick, I have my own little haul here! #MerryChristmas
