Ireland Scotland Travel Blog

Presbyterian Tour of Scotland

The Church of Scotland is the national church of Scotland. It is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation.The Church of Scotland traces its roots back to the beginnings of Christianity in Scotland, but its identity is principally shaped by the Scottish Reformation of 1560.

The Presbyterian Tour of Scotland is 9 Days long and available only through Lynott Tours.  Emphasis is made on the Presbyterian heritage in Scotland a well as on Scottish history, the magnificent landscapes, and the welcoming, friendly people. On this trip you'll experience the many wonders of this magical land - the large cities and towns and villages alike, all steeped with a rich culture and history; spectacular scenic drives in the highlands; plus some of the fascinating islands to the west and north! Learn about Scotland's role in the Protestant Reformation and key Reformer John Knox, its turbulent history of kings and queens, and gain insight into the politics of this proud land.

Your vacation begins the moment you board your flight to Scotland, the land of tartans and heather. Destination: GLASGOW.

Day 2 - ARRIVE GLASGOW Welcome to Scotland, the land of Rob Roy, and the setting for the film, Braveheart. Visions of highland games, golf, haggis, remote islands, and tartans come to life. You arrive in Glasgow. Enjoy your panoramic tour including the Museum of Transport and Glasgow Cathedral.

Day 3 - STIRLING & GLEN COE Stirling Castle, once the home of Scottish kings, is perched high on a sheer cliff above Bannockburn, where the Scots turned the English back in their attempt to subdue the Highland clans. Castles mark the strongholds of ancient clans, villages hug the banks of coal-black lochs, and tiny cottages in stone-walled fields line your way to Glen Coe. Your hotel overlooks Loch Linnhe.

Day 4 - ISLE OF MULL/IONA DAY TRIP The Sacred Isle After breakfast we join the modern car ferry for the 40 minutes crossing to the Island of Mull. As we sail into the Sound of Mull look out for wonderful views of the stronghold of the Maclean clan. On arrival at Craignure we re-board our coach for the scenic drive through Glen More en-route to Fionnphort where another ferry awaits us for the short crossing to the Island of Iona. It was here in 563 AD that St Columba landed to found a monastery and bring Christianity to Scotland, and many early Scottish Kings and chiefs were buried here including Macbeth. The sense of peace and history that pervades the island will remain us as we retrace our steps to Oban.

Day 5 - LOCH NESS/INVERNESS/ABERDEEN Explore Loch Ness to search for "Nessie", the world famous monster. Admire vast expanses of heather on the way to Inverness - an area of high mountains, deep glens and battlefields. Craft shops filled with kilts, sweaters, or shortbread abound in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Pass Culloden Moor, one of the battlefields where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated. Visit a working distillery for a "wee dram".

Day 6 - ABERDEEN & CRATHES CASTLE You visit Crathes Castle, which dates from 1533. See Aberdeen and travel along the banks of the River Dee, through picturesque Ballater, where many shops show a royal warrant indicating patronage by the Royal Family. Enjoy tea and scones at a local farmhouse.

Day 7 - ST. ANDREWS/EDINBURGH Head south to Glamis Castle, the legendary setting for Macbeth. Visit the cathedral in the charming university town of St. Andrews, known as the birthplace of golf. Travel over the Forth Road Bridge to exciting Edinburgh. Enjoy a banquet and sample Scottish specialties, while listening to the skirl of bagpipes.

Day 8 - EDINBURGH High above the city, atop the volcanic "crag where Edinburgh began", is the majestic Edinburgh Castle. Here, King James, son of Mary Queen of Scots, was born. James eventually became king of England and Scotland, and the two crowns have been united ever since. Scotland's religious history can be seen at St. Giles' Cathedral, regarded as the mother church of Presbyterianism. After the Reformation, John Knox became St. Giles' first minister. This morning you will continue your tour of Edinburgh with a visit to the historic John Knox House. The afternoon is free for shopping along Princes St. or exploring the city on your own. (Departures between the last weekend in July and mid-August will enjoy the Tattoo - a military band competition at Edinburgh Castle).

Day 9 - HEADING HOME You bid your fond farewell to Scotland as you travel to Glasgow Airport for your flight to Ireland or your return flight home.

Estimated land only prices: 35 full paying passengers plus 1 free place $2321; 30 full paying passengers plus 1 free place $2531; 25 full paying passengers plus 1 free place $2726; per person sharing a twin room. Single supplement is $442. Airfare is extra.

Ellen McNulty is President of Lynott Tours, a tour operator in Ireland and Great Britain.  www.lynotttours.com

METHODIST TOUR OF ENGLAND

METHODIST TOUR OF ENGLAND
Follow in the footsteps of Wesley (1703-1791), a clergyman of the Church of England, and a founder of Methodism. He was the foremost leader in England of the Evangelical Revival, a movement in Protestant Christianity during the 1700's that emphasized personal faith and practical good works. In carrying out his evangelical mission, Wesley traveled about 250,000 miles and preached over 40,000 sermons, often as many as 4 in a day.

Day 1 Depart USA For London

Day 2 ARRIVE LONDON Welcome to London! You arrive at London's Heathrow Airport. As you exit from the Customs Hall, you meet your experienced Lynott Tours guide and your skillful driver. You board your deluxe motorcoach for the ride to imperial London. Remainder of the day is free to relax. London is known for its red double decker buses and "tubes", which go almost everywhere and are a great value for the money. Either is an unbeatable way to see the sights of London on your own. Museums, galleries, and superb shopping abound. Covent Garden, once London's fruit, vegetable and flower market made famous in "My Fair Lady" is now a delightful shopping area with boutiques, unusual shops, intimate bistros and restaurants. After a visit to two of the city's most beautiful churches, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral, we return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight London (2 nights).

Day 3 Wesley's London We'll begin at Wesley's Chapel, house and museum on City Road, built in 1778. He lived here from 1779 until his death in 1791. His burial place is behind the chapel. Across the road is the non-conformist cemetery, Bunhill Fields, with the graves of Susanna Wesley, John Bunyan, and Daniel Defoe. We see the Methodist Plinth, the site of John's Aldersgate Street conversion on May 24, the charterhouse school where John attended and Spital Yard, home of the Annesley family where Susanna Wesley, youngest of 24 children, was raised. Our morning tour will conclude at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, were Charles Spurgeon held his great revival meetings.

Day 4 Salisbury, Stonehenge, Bath and Bristol Our first stop is at Salisbury for a visit to the famous cathedral. Travel to Salisbury Plain to visit Stonehenge, mysterious rings of prehistoric monoliths. We visit the Neolithic monument of Stonehenge which dates to around 2800 BC. We visit Broadmead and John Wesley's chapel. Continue to Bath, popular for healing waters since Roman times and revived in the Regency period. Visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room to see the hot springs and artifacts from Roman times. Check into your hotel. (1 night).

Day 5 Stratford-Upon-Avon Our day begins with a stop at Gloucester, famous for its gothic cathedral. We'll visit the small church of St. Mary de Crypt where Robert Raikes launched the "Sunday School" movement and an early women's missionary movement had its beginnings. It was also from here that George Whitefield, the most outstanding preacher of his generation, lit the fires of evangelical revival. We'll complete our visit to Gloucester at its magnificent cathedral, one of the finest in England and considered the sixth most beautiful building in all of Europe. We continue on to overnight in the delightful village of Stratford, home of the bard. (2 nights).

Day 6 Stratford-Upon-Avon, Hathaway Cottage and Gardens A full day of sightseeing in Stratford includes visits to the beautiful buildings connected with William Shakespeare and his family . We'll visit Anne Hathaway's impeccably preserved thatched cottage and gardens. At the Harvard House, we will hear the history of the founder of the famous American university. Other Shakespearean sights include a visit to Mary Arden's house (Shakespeare's mother), and New Place where the writer retired in 1610. Our final visit of the day is at Shakespeare's birthplace. This evening we'll attend a performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Day 7 Warwick Castle, Wedgwood and Chester The sights of Warwick Castle and the world-famous Wedgwood China Factory will add to the excitement today. Visit the walled Roman city of Chester with its black and white shopping arcades. Overnight in Chester (1 night).

Day 8 York Minster Enjoy a brief tour and an afternoon at leisure in the striking walled city of York. The richly layered history of York is visible in its magnificent architecture. Along with many first-rate museums, the city alone is a treasure in itself. Visit the crumbling Clifford's Tower, the only remains of York Castle. The Shambles is actually one of the most picturesque streets in York, which once served as butcher's row. The largest medieval cathedral in northern Europe, York Minster, is the city's crowning glory. Overnight in York (1 night).

Day 9 Epworth & Lincoln - Wesley was born on June 17, 1703, in Epworth in Lincolnshire. He was the 15th of 19 children born to Susanna Wesley and her husband, Samuel, an Anglican clergyman. At Epworth we'll visit the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, the Epworth Rectory, the Wesley Memorial Church and St. Andrew's Parish Church. It was at St. Andrew's where the Reverend Samuel Wesley served for 39 years and where John preached outdoors by his father's grave. In the hamlet of Scrooby in Notthinghamshire we'll see the cottage of William Brewster where he and William Bradford and other adventurers listened to Pastor Richard Clyfton preach. It was from Scrooby that the escape from England was planned which ultimately led to spending a few years in Holland and finally the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620. This afternoon we turn towards Nottingham and its famous castle. If time permits we'll stop briefly in the Sherwood Forest to see Robin Hood's great oak tree and visitor's center. Overnight in Lincoln (1 night)

Day 10 Bedford, Olney, Northampton & Oxford Today we will visit the village of Olney. Here two famous hymn writers lived. We'll visit the home of William Cowper, author of "God Moves in Mysterious Ways His Wonders to Perform" and "There is a Fountain". Afterwards we'll visit the Parish church where the hymns "Amazing Grace", "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds", and "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken" were written by John Newton. At the end of his seafaring days, Newton was rector at this church. This afternoon we travel to the university town of Oxford, "City of Dreaming Spires". Here at Lincoln College we can imagine the young John Wesley intensely presiding over the Holy Club which consisted of a group of students called "Methodists". Overnight in London (1 night).

Day 11 HOMEWARD FROM HEATHROW You bid your fond farewell to England and your Lynott Tours Guide as you board your coach for the trip to Heathrow Airport and your return flight to the U.S.A., arriving the same day.

Tour Includes: * Round trip airfare from USA * Arrival airport transfers. * Deluxe motorcoach with driver/guide throughout. * First-class accommodations for 8 nights; room with private bath. * 8 breakfasts (CB, B), 5 dinners (D)* Tea and scones at a farmhouse. * Baggage handling. * All taxes and service charges. * All sightseeing and entrance fees. Some highlights: Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral o Wesley's Chapel o Salisbury Cathedral o Stonehenge o Roman Bath o Broadmead o St. Mary de Crypt o Gloucester Cathedral o Hathaway Cottage and Gardens o Mary Arden’s House o Warwick Castle o Wedgwood China Factory o York Minster o Epworth o Oxford o Olney o Scrooby o Performance at the Royal Shakespeare Globe Theatre
Your 3* & 4* first-class hotels: London Jurys Kensington 2 nights Bath/Bristol Victoria Square 1 night Stratford Banbury House 1 night York Dean Court (1 night) Lincoln Bentley (1 night) London Jurys Kensington 1 night

The estimated cost for the arrangements for this tour in 2007 will be: 40 persons/80 persons $2851 per person 35 person/70 persons $2899 per person 30 persons/60 persons $3101 per person sharing a twin room. Single supplement is $715. Air taxes would add $222 per person

Ellen McNulty is President of Lynott Tours, a tour operator in Ireland and Great Britain.  www.lynotttours.com

Getting Married in Scotland

One of the easiest places to get married is Scotland.

When Madonna chose the Scottish Highlands for her wedding to Guy Ritchie, she merely confirmed what we already knew - Scotland is the quintessential romantic destination! From remote island hideaways to castle hotels with four poster beds, roaring log fires and breathtaking views - even romantic rail journeys second to none - Scotland is the place to share special moments with that special someone in your life. In Scotland, you'll find a beguiling range of unusual, distinguished and historic venues for a truly fairytale wedding.

Here is some info to help you plan:

IMPORTANT NOTE: In 2005, legislation was passed requiring overseas visitors wishing to marry in Scotland to obtain a visitors' visa (not required of ordinary tourists) in order to make wedding arrangements. Ask for details.

Any two persons can marry in Scotland regardless of their nationality and country of residence subject to meeting the following requirements:
1. Both of you must be at least 16 years of age (parental consent is not required).
2. You must not be related to one another in a way which would prevent you from marrying (read our article prohibited marriages for further details).
3. You must both be unmarried. If either of you have been previously married, you must produce original documentary evidence that your previous marriage ended by death, divorce or annulment.
4. You must not be of the same sex at birth.
5. You must both be capable of understanding the nature of a marriage ceremony and of consenting to marrying.
6. If you live outside the UK, your marriage in Scotland must be regarded as valid in the country in which you are domiciled. Most countries do recognize marriages in Scotland, even when the bride or groom are 16 years old, but you will need to check with your own marriage authority.

You can be married in Scotland by either religious ceremony or by civil ceremony. A religious marriage, whether Christian or non-Christian, can only be solemnized by a minister, clergyman, pastor, priest or other person entitled to do so under the Marriage (Scotland) Act, 1977.
Religious Ceremonies Religious ceremonies may be conducted at any time and in any place in Scotland so long as you can get an authorized religious celebrant to attend and officiate. Whether you want to get married in the romantic setting of a remote Scottish castle or on top of Ben Nevis, the choice is yours so long as you can find a minister and two witnesses to go along with you both. In Scottish churches, there is no provision for getting married by the publishing of banns.

Civil Ceremonies A civil marriage may only be solemnized in a register office by a Registrar or an Assistant Registrar that has been authorized by the General registrar's Office. Although there are no time-of-the-day restrictions on getting married in Scotland, the ceremony can only take place during the opening hours of the register office concerned, which are usually 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. Opening hours do vary so check with the register office in which you plan to get married. There is one exception to this restriction. Certain remote Scottish communities have Parlour Registrars that are authorized to solemnize marriages in their home. At their discretion they can conduct a civil marriage ceremony at any time.

Residency Requirement Scotland is the only country in the UK where there is no residency requirement to be fulfilled. However, at least one of you must personally visit the Registrar for the district in which your marriage is to take place during the seven day period leading up to the date of marriage. Please note, you cannot attend on the day of your marriage.

Giving Notice You both need to complete and submit a marriage notice to the Registrar for the district in which your marriage is to take place. Notice must be given in the three month period prior to the date of your marriage and not later than 15 days before the date of your marriage. It is usually possible to make a provisional booking with a Registrar before the three month period prior to your marriage date but you will still need to give formal notice within the permitted time period. Your marriage notice must be submitted early enough to allow the Registrar sufficient time to satisfy himself that you are both free to marry one another. Normally notices should be with the registrar about four weeks before your marriage but if either of you has been married before or are traveling from overseas, the notices should be with the Registrar at least six weeks beforehand.
Marriage notice forms must be completed Although you do not need to attend personally to hand in your marriage notices, at least one of you must attend personally at the Registrar's office during the seven day period leading up to the date of your marriage (not on the marriage day itself). In the case of a religious marriage, this is to collect the marriage schedule. In the case of a civil marriage, it is to finalize the marriage arrangements with the Registrar.

Documents to be Produced When handing over or sending your marriage notice forms to the Registrar, you will need to supply certain documents for example, your birth certificate. If you have been married before, a decree absolute of divorce or if you are a widow or widower, the death certificate of your former spouse. If you are marrying a step-relative or an in-law, you will need to provide relevant death certificates and/or other documents requested by the Registrar. Only original documents will be accepted.
If you live outside the United Kingdom, a 'certificate of no impediment to marriage' is required stating that you are free to marry. This should be obtained from your own registrar of marriages or a competent authority that has access to the marriage records in your country. Should any of your documents be in a foreign language, you will need to provide a certified translation in English. If you are unable to provide any of the required documents, the Registrar will advise you what other documents are acceptable.

Arranging Your Marriage Ceremony It is important to make early arrangements for the venue and for the date and time of your marriage. If you are having a religious ceremony, arrange to see the minister who will be conducting your service before completing the notice forms. If you will not be having your religious ceremony in a church, you should not book a venue until your minister has agreed to officiate. For civil ceremonies, make early arrangements with the Registrar, particularly in cities or towns or cities where large numbers of people want to be married at popular times of the year.
Witnesses: Finally, you will need to arrange for two persons, aged 16 years or over, to be present at your ceremony to act as witnesses. Two witnesses are required for both religious and civil ceremonies. If you are unable to provide witnesses, you should ask the venue, where you will be getting married, if they are able to provide them.

The Marriage Schedule When all the required documentation has been received and the Registrar is satisfied that there is no legal impediment to your marriage, he will issue a marriage schedule. No marriage can proceed in Scotland without a marriage schedule, which must be presented to the person performing your marriage before the ceremony commences. If you are having a religious ceremony, the marriage schedule will be issued to you personally within seven days of the marriage date. It cannot be issued to anyone other than the prospective bride or bridegroom. Immediately after the ceremony, the marriage schedule will be signed by both parties and the person performing the marriage ceremony. The two witnesses will also add their signatures. The schedule must then be returned to the Registrar within three days so that the marriage can be registered. If you are having a civil ceremony, the schedule will not be issued but the Registrar will have it available for signing after the ceremony. After your marriage has been registered, you can obtain a copy of the entry in the Registrar's book of marriages (your marriage certificate) from the Registrar on payment of the appropriate fee.

If You Are Living Outside the UK There are additional requirements for you to fulfill if you are domiciled outside the United Kingdom. If you are subject to the marriage laws in the country in which you are domiciled, you need to obtain a certificate of no impediment to marriage, which will state that you are free to marry. This certificate should be obtained from your own marriage registration authority. A certificate from a lawyer will only be accepted as a last resort since they do not have access to marriage records. If the certificate is in not in English, a certified translation is also required. In the absence of such a certificate without good reason, it may not be possible for you to get married in Scotland. If you have been resident in the United Kingdom for the past two years, you do not need to submit such a certificate. If you are in any doubt about what is required, contact the Registrar in the district in which you intend to marry. You are also strongly advised to fax over your documents for approval before making your journey to Scotland.

Getting Married in Gretna Green Gretna Green in Dumfriesshire, with a population of about 3,000, is probably the world's most famous wedding venue. Since the eighteenth century, the minimum legal age for getting married in Scotland has been 16 years of age, with no requirement for parental consent. However, in England at that time, parental consent was required for people under the age of 21. Consequently, the small Scottish town of Gretna, which was the first stagecoach stop over the English/Scottish border, became very popular by young eloping English couples wishing to get married without their parents' consent. Furthermore, until 1940, any responsible adult could conduct a wedding ceremony in Scotland and since Gretna's blacksmith was usually on hand, wedding ceremonies over the anvil became a common occurrence. Gretna's blacksmith became fittingly known as the 'anvil priest'. Today, Gretna is still a very popular venue for couples from all over the world to get married by either religious ceremony over the anvil in the old blacksmith's shop or by civil ceremony in Gretna's register office. However, the legal requirements and procedures for getting married in Gretna are no different to anywhere else in Scotland.

What It Costs to Get Married in Scotland From 1st April 1999, each person submitting a notice of marriage to the district Registrar for either a civil or religious ceremony, must pay £12. For solemnization of a civil marriage, the fee is £45. Where permissible, there may be a surcharge for Saturday afternoon ceremonies in the region of £50. Many register office will accept payment by Visa or Mastercard, for which a small processing charge will be made. The fee payable for a religious marriage is not fixed and is decided by religious celebrant solemnizing your marriage. You should expect, however, to pay up to £200. Each extract of your marriage entry in the register of marriages (your marriage certificate) will cost £8. The minimum you can pay, therefore, is £77 (for a civil ceremony and including a marriage certificate). Checks should be made payable to The Registrar. Should you wish to use a dressing or changing room at a register office, there may be an additional charge e.g. Gretna's register office charges £20. You should check the availability and cost with your register office if you require a changing facility.

For further information and advice about getting married in Scotland or to obtain an information pack containing marriage notice forms and a list of all register offices in Scotland, please telephone the marriages section of the General Register Office for Scotland on +44 (0)131-314 4447. Alternatively, you can fax the marriages section +44 (0)131-314 4400 or e-mail them at marriage@gro-scotland.gov.uk If you wish to write to the General Register Office, their address is: General Register Office, Marriages Section, New Register House, Edinburgh, EH1 3YT, Scotland.

Ellen McNulty is Presient of Lynott Tours.

Ellen McNulty is President of Lynott Tours, a tour operator in Ireland and Great Britain.  www.lynotttours.com

Christmas in England

ENGLAND
A Victorian Christmas For thousands of years people around the world have enjoyed midwinter festivals. With the arrival of Christianity, pagan festivals became mixed with Christmas celebrations. One of the leftovers from these pagan days is the custom of bedecking houses and churches with evergreen plants like mistletoe, holly and ivy. Before Victoria's reign started in 1837 no Christmas cards were sent and most people did not have holidays from work. The Victorian era changed the face of Christmas forever. Charles Dickens wrote books like "Christmas Carol", published in 1843, which actually encouraged rich Victorian's to redistribute their wealth by giving money and gifts to the poor. The wealth generated by the new factories and industries of the Victorian age allowed middle class families in England and Wales to take time off work and celebrate over two days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Boxing Day, December 26th, earned its name as the day servants and working people opened the boxes in which they had collected gifts of money from the "rich folk". The Gifts - At the start of Victoria's reign, children's toys tended to be handmade. With factories however came mass production, which brought with it games, dolls, books and clockwork toys all at a more affordable price. In a "poor child's" Christmas stocking, which first became popular from around 1870, only an apple, orange and a few nuts could be found.
Father Christmas / Santa Claus - Normally associated with the bringer of the above gifts, is Father Christmas or Santa Claus. The two are in fact two entirely separate stories. Father Christmas was originally part of an old English midwinter festival, normally dressed in green, a sign of the returning spring. The stories of St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas in Holland) came via Dutch settlers to America in the 17th Century. From the 1870's Sinter Klass became known in Britain as Santa Claus and with him came his unique gift and toy distribution system - reindeer and sleigh.
Turkey Time - Turkeys had been brought to Britain from America hundreds of years before Victorian times. When Victoria first came to the throne however, both chicken and turkey were too expensive for most people to enjoy. In northern England roast beef was the traditional fayre for Christmas dinner while in London and the south, goose was favourite. Many poor people made do with rabbit. On the other hand, the Christmas Day menu for Queen Victoria and family in 1840 included both beef and of course a royal roast swan or two. By the end of the century most people feasted on turkey for their Christmas dinner.
Christmas Cards - The "Penny Post" was first introduced in Britain in 1840 by Rowland Hill. The idea was simple, a penny stamp paid for the postage of a letter or card to anywhere in Britain. This simple idea paved the way for the sending of the first Christmas cards. Sir Henry Cole tested the water in 1843 by printing a thousand cards for sale in his art shop in London at one shilling each. The popularity of sending cards was helped along when in 1870 a halfpenny postage rate was introduced as a result of the efficiencies brought about by those new fangled railways.
The Tree - Queen Victoria's German husband Prince Albert helped to make the Christmas tree as popular in Britain as they where in his native Germany, when he brought one to Windsor Castle in the 1840's.
The Crackers - Invented by Tom Smith, a London sweet maker in 1846. The original idea was to wrap his sweets in a twist of fancy coloured paper, but this developed and sold much better when he added love notes (motto's), paper hats, small toys and made them go off BANG!
Carol Singers - Carol Singers and Musicians "The Waits" visited houses singing and playing the new popular carols; 1843 - O Come all ye Faithful 1848 - Once in Royal David's City 1851 - See Amid the Winters Snow 1868 - O Little Town of Bethlehem 1883 - Away in a Manger

Christmas Travel

Ellen McNulty is President of Lynott Tours.

Irish Christmas Traditions

Ireland is one of the few places on earth where the meaning of Christmas is still remembered & the birth of the Christ child is celebrated. Whether you subscribe to the theory that to have a candle in your window on Christmas Eve meant that you were welcoming the Holy Family that found no such welcome in Bethlehem or that the candle in the window signified the home where the Catholic mass was celebrated, the custom still exists in Ireland today. Either way, the lights in the windows make a lovely addition to the holiday season.

Christmas is in the air everywhere. Church services play a real part in the celebration of Christmas here. The Irish really display the spirit of Christmas with generosity to the street vendors and the less fortunate around the time of Christ’s birth. Another endearing quality of Ireland is the time that the people take out of their usual calendars to devote to Christmas.

The spirit of Christmas is so strong, however, that many hotels close during the holiday period to allow their staff to spend time with family. We include only those properties that will be open, and those that have special Christmas programs.

Some Irish Christmas traditions:

Did you know that the popular Christmas carol, Twelve Days of Christmas is a remnant from the time when Catholicism was illegal and the gifts listed in the song are hidden references to Catholic dogma? It was used as a memory exercise for those who were secret adherents to Catholicism.

The lighting of candles in Ireland also has a religious significance. Some people would light candles (or one large candle) to signify symbolic hospitality for Mary and Joseph. The candle was a way of saying there was room for Jesus' parents in these homes even if there was none in Bethlehem. Some people even set extra places at their tables as a preparation for unexpected visitors.

Christmas Dinner Christmas dinners in Ireland usually consist of the standard fare; turkey, a ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc. Among the more traditional Irish elements are spiced beef (spiced over several days, cooked, and then pressed) which can be served either hot or cold. The traditional dessert is usually composed of mince pies, Christmas pudding, and brandy or rum sauce.

Nollaig shona duit (Happy Christmas) Irish Christmas

Ellen McNulty is President of Lynott Tours.

Getting married in Ireland

Getting married in Ireland is complicated but possible. Here are some tips to help you get through the formalities from a distance.

Three months' notice To marry in the Republic of Ireland, three months' written notice of the parties' intention to wed must be given to the registrar for the district in which you wish to be married. If you are to be married in a Catholic or Anglican (Church of Ireland) church ceremony there are no residency requirements. Written notification must be provided 3 months before to the Registrar but there are no residency requirements to be fulfilled. Occasionally, exceptions are given, but they must be applied for at the Circuit Family Court Office or the High Court Office. There is no cost for this service.

Residency It is worth noting that there are residency laws applicable for couples who wish to marry in a registry office in Ireland but are not living here. The residency laws do not apply if you marry in a church. Residency is a must, for civil marriage, and requires at least one visit to Ireland prior to the actual ceremony to complete all the administrative duties. Both parties must be over eighteen years of age on the actual wedding day to be married in the Republic of Ireland. To establish residency qualifications for marriage by license, one of the parties needs fifteen full days of residency, the other party need to reside in the area seven days before notice is served, and then the wedding can take place eight days later. If either party has been married before, proof of divorce is necessary, and a civil ceremony can be done. If the parties choose to get married without a license, the residency requirement is shortened (seven full days for each party), but the waiting period is much longer. Notice is served on the eighth day, but the marriage cannot take place until twenty-two days later.

These requirements apply to the county of Dublin. Interested parties planning to be married elsewhere need to ask about the residency requirement in the district of their choice.

Recommendation Some couples choose to getting married in the US quietly before departure and have a "renewal of vows" ceremonyor a blessing in a church in Ireland, with invited guests.

Registrars In all cases of civil weddings, both parties must make an appointment with the registrar in their county of choice and produce all necessary documents which might include: Birth Certificates, if divorced, a copy of the Divorce Absolute (in English) and Birth Certificate. There are two sets of registrars, one for Roman Catholic marriages and another for Protestant and civil marriages. A list of registrars for the former is obtained from the health board of the area concerned, while the other is made up of a list of solicitors in each county. (Ask for form FLA.1.96.)

Both lists are available from: The General Register Office Joyce House, 8/11 Lombard Street East Dublin 2, Ireland After making the registration, the planning of the ceremony may commence.

For marriage in a Catholic church, it will be necessary to establish some linkage with that particular parish and church. Immediately after the registration is made would be the time to contact the parish priest who will know details of any other diocese qualifications. Of particular importance is the fact that divorced persons may not marry in a Roman Catholic church; however a Church annulment permits a ceremony in the Church. Marriages in a Roman Catholic church proceed by one of four means: by Episcopal license; after the publication of banns; by ordinary eccliastical license, or on production of a certificate from a register of civil marriages.

The process is a bit different for Church of Ireland marriages where at least one of the parties must be Protestant Episcopalian. It should be noted that the Church of Ireland strongly discourages persons coming from abroad just to get married in Ireland.

A civil ceremony is an alternative to a religious ceremony and is more administratively convenient, if lacking in atmosphere.

Aside from the three months' notice of intent to marry, the residency requirements for the area in particular must be met. Cost of the ceremony is relatively cheap. This applies to both civil and religious ceremonies.

If either party has been married before, proof of divorce is necessary, and a civil ceremony can be done.

Can we get married in a hotel/a castle/on a beach/up a mountain etc. etc.? Churches and registry offices are the only places licensed to perform legal marriage ceremonies in Ireland. However if you wanted to have a blessing, exchange of vows etc... outdoors this can be arranged. Marriages by Civil ceremony in Ireland must take place in the Office of a Registrar of Civil Marriage, (i.e. a registry office). The only exception is in the case of serious illness of one of the parties to the marriage in which case the Registrar General may grant a special license to allow the marriage to be conducted elsewhere (usually in a private home or a hospital). In certain limited circumstances, some religions allow marriages to be celebrated other than in a church building but you would need to discuss this with the relevant church authorities.

Can we renew our marriage vows in Ireland? A married person cannot get married (even if it is to the same person!) and, as your first marriage will probably be civilly recognized in Ireland, we would not be involved in any ceremony you might wish to have in Ireland. However, there is a long tradition of "church blessings" in this country where Irish people who have married in civil ceremonies in the U.K., the U.S.A., Australia etc. marry in a religious ceremony the next time they are home. You should contact an appropriate local clergyman who should be able to put you in touch with a counterpart in Ireland.


For more information: http://www.groireland.ie/faqs.htm

Here are some Irish customs:
Handfasting is an ancient Celtic custom, especially common in Ireland and Scotland, in which a man and woman came together at the start of their marriage relationship. Their hands, or more accurately, their wrists, were literally tied together. This practice gave way to the expression "tying the knot" which has come to mean getting married or engaged. Handfasting survives in several forms today. It is present in part in many Western religious and secular ceremonies as the celebrant asks, "Who gives this woman to be married?" The giving of the bride's hand to the groom is reminiscent of the handfasting ceremony.
*Bunratty Mead is a honey wine that's served at the Bunratty Castle medieval banquet. It's from a recipe based on the oldest drink in Ireland and if you've never tasted it, it's well worth trying. In the old days, it was consumed at weddings because it was thought that it promoted virility. (If a baby was born nine months after the wedding, it was attributed to the mead!) Couples also drank it from special goblets for a full month following the wedding, which is supposedly where we get the word honeymoon. This was to protect the couple from the fairies coming to spirit the bride away.
Lucky horseshoe. Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe for good luck. (Turned up so the luck won't run out). You can get porcelain horseshoes which most Irish brides carry these days, or one made of fabric which is worn on the wrist. Magic Hanky. This charming custom involves having the bride carry a special hanky that with a few stitches can be turned into a christening bonnet for the first baby. With a couple of snips it can be turned back into a hanky that your child can carry on his/her wedding day.
Make-up bells. The chime of bells is thought to keep evil spirits away, restore harmony if a couple is fighting, and also remind a couple of their wedding vows. Giving a bell as a gift has become an Irish tradition.
Irish Dancers. Consider hiring a group of Irish dancers to hand out your programs before the ceremony. Dressed in their full regalia, it would add a wonderful touch of pageantry and color. They could also dance at the reception later.
Music. There's so much wonderful Irish music available, you'll have no problems in finding appropriate selections for both the ceremony and the reception. The difficulty will be in deciding which pieces to play!
Ancient custom: When a couple is dancing, the bride can't take both feet off the floor because the fairies will get the upper hand. Fairies love beautiful things and one of their favorites is a bride. There's many an Irish legend about brides being spirited away by the little people! For the same reason, it's bad luck for a bride to wear green. It's also bad luck for a bride or the groom to sing at their own wedding.

An Irish Wedding Toast:
May your glasses be ever full.
May the roof over your heads be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

Ellen McNulty is President of Lynott Tours.