Today is Nollaig na mBan, a day traditionally dedicated to recognising the women who carried the workload over Christmas.
As many head out to celebrate with friends, it raises an interesting question: is Nollaig na mBan still relevant in 2026?
Mary McCarthy, an Irish Independent columnist, joined Lunchtime Live to discuss the celebration and its controversy.
“I just don't like the expression Women's Christmas because I feel it is completely outdated,” she explained.
“It's no longer relevant. It's tied to older gender ideas."
McCarthy also emphasised the capitalist nature of the holiday.
“My inbox is full of ads for Swedish body massages and afternoon tea to celebrate women.”
She felt that it was an outdated celebration, and has no place or relevance in 2026.
“When I look around my own circle, the men are doing as much [as the women], in my own household anyway, my husband did most of the work this Christmas,” stated the journalist.
“It's the idea that women are hard-done by, and I just think that they're not,” she added, reiterating that "Ireland has dramatically changed in the last 10-15 years.”
However, wellness advocate, Keri Deeney, joined the call and looked at Nollaig na mBan from a different perspective as she felt that women should take “any opportunity” to celebrate themselves.
“I love the tradition that women can take a little bit of time to themselves, I do think it’s important," she said.
“Any excuse to get together with girlfriends, I have plans with my friend a little bit later to have a good proper catch-up,”
Fashion broadcaster, Rosalind Lipsett echoed a similar take on Nollaig na mBan, remarking that the holiday is “making a comeback,” and should be a time of celebration, to meet with friends and relax.
“I actually have started celebrating recently. I'm meeting up with a bunch of my friends this evening,” she told the show.
“We've seen the rise of Galentine's Day and now it's another excuse to get together with the girls, and I think we've all worked harder then most men, to be honest,” she stated.
She noted that women are still “the magic behind Christmas” as the broadcaster touched on generations that have gone past, looking at both her mother and her grandmother.
“So I do like the tradition,” she added.
