Irish calendar
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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 Astronomical Timing, however Meteorological Timing is also used by organisations such as the Met Éireann.[1] Both are in use in the Republic of Ireland, however generally the Astronomical Calendar is the most commonly used.[2]
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 religion and mythology, and generally predate the arrival of Christianity. The words for May (Script error: No such module "Lang".), August (Script error: No such module "Lang".) and November (Script error: No such module "Lang".), are the names of Gaelic religious festivals. In addition, the names for September (Script error: No such module "Lang".) and October (Script error: No such module "Lang".) translate directly as "middle of harvest" and "end of harvest". Christianity has also left its mark on the Irish months: the name for December (Script error: No such module "Lang".) derives from Latin Script error: No such module "Lang". Template:Gloss, referring to the birth of Christ.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Names of the seasons and months
- Winter (Script error: No such module "Lang".) – November, December, January (Script error: No such module "Lang".)
- Spring (Script error: No such module "Lang".) – February, March, April (Script error: No such module "Lang"., then Script error: No such module "Lang".)
- Summer (Script error: No such module "Lang".) – May, June, July (Script error: No such module "Lang".)
- Autumn (Script error: No such module "Lang". Template:Gloss) – August, September, October (Script error: No such module "Lang".)
Names of the days
Historical textsTemplate: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.[3] 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.[4]
| English | Irish | Scottish Gaelic | Manx | origin of name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Luain; Dé Luain | Diluain | Lhein; Jelune | from Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| Tuesday | Máirt; Dé Máirt | Dimàirt | Mayrt; Jemayrt | from Latin Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| Wednesday | Céadaoin; Dé Céadaoin | Diciadain | Crean; Jecrean | referring to Gaelic fasting: from Old Irish Script error: No such module "Lang". (first fast) i.e. the first fast of the week |
| Thursday | Déardaoin | Diardaoin | Jerdein | the day between the fasts, from Old Irish Script error: No such module "Lang". (between two fast) |
| Friday | Aoine; Dé hAoine | Dihaoine | Eney; Jeheiney | the day of the fast, from Old Irish Script error: No such module "Lang". (fast) |
| Saturday | Satharn; Dé Sathairn | Disathairne | Sarn; Jesarn | from Latin Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| Sunday | Domhnach; Dé Domhnaigh | Didòmhnaich | Doonaght; Jedoonee | from Latin Script error: No such module "Lang". (an alternative Latin name for Sunday, Script error: No such module "Lang". 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
Template:Reflist Template:Calendars Template:Gaels
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b 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.