On the other hand, Ireland has some Christmas traditions unlike anything I've heard of in the United States. In my opinion, the craziest tradition is the one known as the Christmas Swim. On Christmas morning, people in the Dublin area jump into the Irish sea at 40-Foot, a popular swimming area in the suburb of Sandycove. People also swim at other areas along the Irish coastline. Many people swim for charity, but I don't think anything could convince me to jump in freezing cold water on the 25th of December. Would you take the plunge?
Another tradition special to Ireland takes place on December 26, right after Christmas Day. Called Saint Stephen's Day, this is another one of nine official holidays in Ireland. It celebrates the first Christian martyr, or devoted Christian who died for his religion. Traditionally, though less so in recent years, Irish people celebrate Saint Stephen's Day by dressing up in old clothes and straw hats, then dancing and singing through the neighborhood while holding fake wrens (a type of bird). According to legend, a wren gave away where St. Stephen was concealed by chirping on the bush that hid him. After the wren betrayed him, St. Stephen was stoned to death by people who disagreed with his religious views. In Irish, Saint Stephen's Day is called Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín, which means "Wren Day."
