They have a special church service at which a cross was dipped into water to bless it. People would take the water home with them a drink three sips before eating anything. Christmas in Ireland Ireland's Christmas is more religious than a time of fun. Lighted candles are placed in windows on Christmas Eve, as a guide that Joseph and Mary might be looking for shelter. The candles are usually red in color, and decorated with sprigs of holly.
Irish women bake a seed cake for each person in the house.
They also make three puddings, one for Christmas, New Year's Day and the Twelfth Night. After the Christmas evening meal, bread and milk are left out and the door unlatched as a symbol of hospitality. A strict feast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve, and is followed by a celebration meal, in which a light Milanese cake called panettone features. Presents and empty boxes, are drawn from the Urn of Fate - lucky dip, which always contains one gift per person. At noon on Christmas Day the pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican Square.