Confused About Women Only
at Annual Nollaig na mBan
Dear Editor:
Nollaig na mBan (Women's Little Christmas), the celebration of the twelfth day after Christmas, continues to be a rather puzzling event for me to understand.
Every February issue of The Celtic Connection for the last number of years, I have read about the men of Seattle taking their ladies out for dinner on this day, along with photos of happy couples enjoying themselves.
I then wonder what is going on in Vancouver? Careful examination of the pictures of the attendees at the Irish Women's Network Nollaig na mBam is revealing. There is never a man to be seen, with either a black creamy pint in his hand or a lady on his arm, to share in the celebration!
There was a fleeting mention of John Cronin from the Killarney Irish Showband in the article but I remain flummoxed!
Which Irish community in the Pacific Northwest is doing this whole "Little Christmas" thing correctly? Are the ladies of Seattle more progressive and smarter in that they're letting their men pay for their meal, or are the ladies of Vancouver showing an independent streak from 'auld country tradition?
I'm hopeful there will be some responses from readers to set things straight. These two Irish communities of the Pacific Northwest need to get things in order for the next Nollaig na mBan in 2008.
Yours in mischief,
John O'Flynn
North Vancouver, B.C.
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