Holly grows quite abundantly in Ireland in winter, as do other evergreens, which is one of the reasons that the story handed down in Irish families that the Irish invented the Christmas wreath is quite possibly true. You might hear stories about Roman athletes or English druids in the past of the wreath, but when it comes to Christmas, using a wreath on the door as a mark of celebration and welcome comes back to Ireland.
Holly bears the red and green colors long associated with Christmas celebration. Its abundance carried that idea along, as well. It did not matter whether you were wealthy or poor or somewhere in between, by placing a wreath on your door you could could offer a mark of welcome and celebration to share with all who passed by, and with friends and family as well.
Holly shows up in music at this season quite a bit, as well. The Holly and the Ivy (also called the Holly and the Berry) is one that has crossed over and connected through many cultures. English words, Irish stories, a French melody. Many artists have recorded it. An especially fine version is by Cherish the Ladies, with Heidi Talbot singing the lead, on the album On Christmas Night.
A good song and story to think about as you hang your own wreaths, and enjoy those others have put up to share their joy this holiday season.
The photographs are berries in County Louth, Ireland, a wreath (among the trees, down the street) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and two wreaths in Austin, Texas.
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Lovely. No Xmas holly down in the Southern hemisphere. I miss it, unlike the cold weather. Thanks!
This is actually one of my most favorite Christmas songs!
I’m such a lover of wreaths. Every year my mother in law makes us one. So, no wreath this year, I guess.
We don’t usually hang a wreath but I will have a greater appreciation for my neighbors’ after reading this lovely post. Thank you!
And thanks to your recommendation to attend Irish Christmas in America, I learned that if you bring home pointy-leaved holly the man will rule the house, and if the leaves are smooth, the woman will rule the house. A sure way to get everybody out picking holly leaves!
I had no idea that the Irish were so deeply rooted in Christmas. Lovely pictures. We have something here called Christmas berry, but it’s nothing like holly. Of course, poinsettias grow wild, so I must not complain…
Like Kris, I had no idea of all the Christmas connections and Ireland either. I keep seeing the fresh wreaths available everywhere–now I feel like I should put one up. Thanks for sharing this.
So interesting about pointy-leaved holly vs smooth-leaved. I’ll have to check and see what’s growing outside my in-laws’ house over the holidays!
This post made me happy. We have a wreath pageant in my town. Will have to tell the organizers about the possible Irish connection.
Neat – I had no idea about the history of wreaths. Ok, now I have to go FIND my wreath, which hasn’t made it up from the basement yet. We just have an artificial one we put up every year, but I must say, it looks very real.