View source for Irish calendar

{{Short description|Gregorian calendar as it is in use in Ireland}}
{{Distinguish|Public holidays in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Synthesis|date=June 2015}}
{{Dispute about|not reflecting the continued use of these seasons in modern-day Ireland (and possibly Scotland)|This calendar is in use now|date=July 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2025}}
}}
[[File:Comparative seasons wheel.jpg|thumb|Diagram comparing the Celtic, astronomical and meteorological calendars]]
The '''Irish calendar''' is the [[Gregorian calendar]] as it is in use in [[Ireland]], but also incorporating Irish cultural festivals and views of the division of the seasons, presumably inherited from earlier [[Celtic calendar]] traditions.

The traditional Irish Calendar uses [[Season#Astronomical|Astronomical Timing]], however [[Season#Meteorological|Meteorological Timing]] is also used by organisations such as the [[Met Éireann]].<ref>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</ref> Both are in use in the [[Republic of Ireland]], however generally the Astronomical Calendar is the most commonly used.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ireland's Odd Seasons – An Seanchas Beag |url=https://seanchasbeag.com/irelands-odd-seasons/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=seanchasbeag.com}}</ref>

In English-language Julian calendars and its derivatives, the months are based on names from [[Classical mythology]], such as the name "February" which derives from the Roman purification rite, [[Februa]]. In the Irish calendar, the names of the months in the [[Irish language]] refer to  [[Celtic polytheism|Celtic religion and mythology]], and generally predate the [[History of Ireland (400–800)#Early Christian history|arrival of Christianity]].  The words for May ({{lang|ga|[[Beltane|Bealtaine]]}}), August ({{lang|ga|[[Lughnasadh|Lúnasa]]}}) and November ({{lang|ga|[[Samhain]]}}), are the names of Gaelic [[Celtic polytheism|religious festivals]]. In addition, the names for September ({{lang|ga|Meán Fómhair}}) and October ({{lang|ga|Deireadh Fómhair}}) translate directly as "middle of harvest" and "end of harvest". Christianity has also left its mark on the Irish months: the name for December ({{lang|ga|Nollaig}}) derives from Latin {{lang|la|natalicia}} {{gloss|birthday}}, referring to the birth of Christ.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

==Names of the seasons and months==
*Winter ({{lang|ga|[[wiktionary:geimhreadh#Irish|Geimhreadh]]}}) – November, December, January ({{lang|ga|[[Samhain]], Nollaig, Eanáir}})
*Spring ({{lang|ga|[[wiktionary:earrach#Irish|Earrach]]}}) – February, March, April ({{lang|ga|[[Imbolc]]}}, then {{lang|ga|Feabhra, Márta, Aibreán}})
*Summer ({{lang|ga|[[wiktionary:samhradh#Irish|Samhradh]]}}) – May, June, July ({{lang|ga|[[Beltane|Bealtaine]], Meitheamh, Iúil}})
*Autumn ({{lang|ga|[[wiktionary:fómhar#Irish|Fómhar]]}} {{gloss|Harvest}}) – August, September, October ({{lang|ga|[[Lughnasadh|Lúnasa]], Meán Fómhair, Deireadh Fómhair}})

==Names of the days==
Historical texts{{which|date=January 2015}} suggest that, during Ireland's [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic era]], the day began and ended at [[sunset]].<ref name="Koch 330">Koch, John T. ''Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia''. ABC-CLIO (2006). Page 330.</ref> Through contact with the [[Roman Empire|Romans]], the seven-day [[week]] was borrowed by [[Mainland Europe|continental]] [[Celts]], and then spread to the people of Ireland.<ref name="Koch 330"/> 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.<ref name="Koch 331">Koch, John T. ''Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia''. ABC-CLIO (2006). Page 331.</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! English || Irish || Scottish Gaelic || Manx || origin of name
|-
| Monday || Luain; Dé Luain || Diluain || Lhein; Jelune
| from {{lang|la|dies Lunae}}
|-
| Tuesday || Máirt; Dé Máirt || Dimàirt || Mayrt; Jemayrt
| from Latin {{lang|la|dies Martis}}
|-
| Wednesday || Céadaoin; Dé Céadaoin || Diciadain || Crean; Jecrean
| referring to Gaelic fasting: from Old Irish {{lang|sga|céd aín}} (first fast) i.e. the first fast of the week
|-
| Thursday || Déardaoin || Diardaoin || Jerdein
| the day between the fasts, from Old Irish {{lang|sga|eter dá aín}} (between two fast)
|-
| Friday || Aoine; Dé hAoine || Dihaoine || Eney; Jeheiney
| the day of the fast, from Old Irish {{lang|sga|aíne}} (fast)
|-
| Saturday || Satharn; Dé Sathairn || Disathairne || Sarn; Jesarn 
| from Latin {{lang|la|dies Saturni}}
|-
| Sunday || Domhnach; Dé Domhnaigh || Didòmhnaich || Doonaght; Jedoonee 
| from Latin {{lang|la|dies Dominicus}} (an alternative Latin name for Sunday, {{lang|la|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==
{{Reflist}}
{{calendars}}
{{Gaels}}

{{Ireland topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaelic Calendar}}
[[Category:Specific calendars]]
[[Category:Culture of Ireland|Calendar]]
[[Category:Irish language|Calendar]]
[[Category:Culture of Scotland|Calendar]]
[[Category:Scottish Gaelic language|Calendar]]
[[Category:Culture of the Isle of Man]]
[[Category:Gaelic culture|Calendar]]