The Irish calendar follows the Gregorian system used in Ireland but includes Irish cultural festivals, likely inherited from the Celtic calendar. It employs both astronomical and meteorological timing, the latter used by organizations like Met Éireann, though astronomical timing is more common. Unlike the classical month names derived from Roman mythology, Irish month names in the Irish language have roots in Celtic religion and pre-Christian traditions. Months like May (Bealtaine), August (Lúnasa), and November (Samhain) reflect Gaelic festivals, while December (Nollaig) shows Christian influence from Latin natalicia.
Names of the seasons and months
- Winter (Geimhreadh) – November, December, January (Samhain, Nollaig, Eanáir)
- Spring (Earrach) – February, March, April (Imbolc, then Feabhra, Márta, Aibreán)
- Summer (Samhradh) – May, June, July (Bealtaine, Meitheamh, Iúil)
- Autumn (Fómhar 'Harvest') – August, September, October (Lúnasa, Meán Fómhair, Deireadh Fómhair)
Names of the days
Historical texts[which?] suggest that, during Ireland's Gaelic era, the day began and ended at sunset.3 Through contact with the Romans, the seven-day week was borrowed by continental Celts, and then spread to the people of Ireland.4 In Irish, four days of the week have names derived from Latin, while the other three relate to the fasting done by early Gaelic Christians.5
| English | Irish | Scottish Gaelic | Manx | origin of name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Luain; Dé Luain | Diluain | Lhein; Jelune | from dies Lunae |
| Tuesday | Máirt; Dé Máirt | Dimàirt | Mayrt; Jemayrt | from Latin dies Martis |
| Wednesday | Céadaoin; Dé Céadaoin | Diciadain | Crean; Jecrean | referring to Gaelic fasting: from Old Irish céd aín (first fast) i.e. the first fast of the week |
| Thursday | Déardaoin | Diardaoin | Jerdein | the day between the fasts, from Old Irish eter dá aín (between two fast) |
| Friday | Aoine; Dé hAoine | Dihaoine | Eney; Jeheiney | the day of the fast, from Old Irish aíne (fast) |
| Saturday | Satharn; Dé Sathairn | Disathairne | Sarn; Jesarn | from Latin dies Saturni |
| Sunday | Domhnach; Dé Domhnaigh | Didòmhnaich | Doonaght; Jedoonee | from Latin dies Dominicus (an alternative Latin name for Sunday, dies Solis being more common) |
See also
- Calendar of saints
- Celtic calendar
- Coligny calendar
- Gregorian calendar
- Liturgical year
- The Old Cows Days/The Days of the Brindled Cow
References
A basic learning guide for primary students regarding the seasons of Ireland published by the Met Éireann. https://www.met.ie/cms/assets/uploads/2021/02/YP-Fun-Facts-Meteorological-Seasons.pdf https://www.met.ie/cms/assets/uploads/2021/02/YP-Fun-Facts-Meteorological-Seasons.pdf ↩
"Ireland's Odd Seasons – An Seanchas Beag". seanchasbeag.com. Retrieved 3 June 2023. https://seanchasbeag.com/irelands-odd-seasons/ ↩
Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO (2006). Page 330. ↩
Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO (2006). Page 330. ↩
Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO (2006). Page 331. ↩