Ireland celebrates its first war-free Christmas in four years

Dublin, 27 December 1918 - For the first time in four years, the dark shadow of a destructive world war did not hang over Christmas in Ireland.

There was an enthusiasm for the season that had been understandably absent in recent times. Churches were full, the shops were busy and sports and theatres were well patronised.

In Dublin, the congregations attending the various church services were enormous. In the Pro-Cathedral, the Most Rev. Dr Walsh presided over 12 o’clock High Mass on Christmas Day which was attended by the Lord Mayor and several members of Dublin Corporation.

Other city and suburban catholic churches also reported large congregations, as did the churches of the protestant denominations. At Christchurch carols were sung on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas Day, in his sermon, the Right Rev. Dr Bernard made reference to the re-establishment of peace and the promise of a benediction of peace as the ideal of the post-war conference.

More pointedly, and with an eye firmly fixed on the domestic political scene, Dr Bernard remarked: ‘Let their Christmas resolve on the one side and the other side be at any rate to abstain from bitter words – too frequently on the lips of Irishmen in the past – words which serve no purpose either of righteousness or peace.’

Across the Christmas period, many of the shops reported an excellent trade and the crowds on the streets of Ireland’s towns and cities were augmented by large numbers of soldiers and sailors home on leave.

All around the country there was no shortage of items to purchase. Retailers had more to offer their customers this Christmas and, with the exception of dried fruit, there was an abundance of food. Turkeys for the Christmas dinner were easily obtained, the excess in supply in Dublin forcing shopkeepers to encourage sales by offering them at reduced prices.

In Belfast, the St George’s Market remained a core Christmas attraction, with rural producers preparing for months in advance to meet the consumer demand for turkeys, geese, holly etc.

For the children, of course, it was all about the toys and for those who can afford them, mechanical toys appear to be growing in appeal at the expense of the simpler toys of previous years.

Across many of institutions in Dublin, decorations were put up, seasonal food prepared and, in some cases, entertainment was provided. At the St Joseph’s Night refuge in Dublin, run by the Sisters of Mercy, benefactors provided a feast of roast beef, mutton, vegetables, potatoes and sweets and tea to over 200 ‘famished ones’.

700 people were also fed at the Mendicity Institution, while at St Michael’s Hospital in Kingstown and in many military hospitals along the east coast including Bray, Monkstown and Blackrock, traditional Christmas fare was also provided.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]