Limerick IFA to host Women's Christmas lunch in Adare

Louise Crowley, Peggy Cooke, Elaine Houlihan, Alice Doyle, Mary Breen and Theresa Roche at last year's lunch I PICTURE: Brendan Gleeson

placeholder image — Louise Crowley, Peggy Cooke, Elaine Houlihan, Alice Doyle, Mary Breen and Theresa Roche at last year's lunch I PICTURE: Brendan Gleeson

All welcome to the event that has become a fixture in the New Year calendar

LIMERICK IFA will host its traditional Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Christmas celebration lunch at the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare on Monday afternoon, January 6

Limerick IFA’s farm family committee, chaired by Peggy Cooke, will welcome women - and men! - to the event which marks the twelfth and final day of Christmas.

As a reward for their hard work over the Christmas season, Women’s Christmas was traditionally a day off from all house work for women and traditional roles were supposed to be reversed in the home: men did the women’s work in the house while women rested and gathered together informally.

According to RTÉ Brainstorm, the custom was that women made social calls to the homes of their friends and neighbours and enjoyed tea and the last of the Christmas cake.

The festivities begin at 12.30pm in the Woodlands with a mulled wine reception. A sumptuous lunch will be served up at 2pm.

Tickets are €50 and can be purchased from Peggy Cooke (0877768529) or Mary Breen (0876383060).

You don’t have to be an IFA member to attend and all are welcome.