Christmas in Ireland is a grand celebration, lasting from about Dec. 24 to Jan. 6, though many count Dec. 8 as the official start of the season. Throughout the celebratory season, you'll find singing choirs and street musicians on the sidewalks and patrons filling local pubs to enjoy this important Irish holiday. Ireland's large Catholic population crowds churches across the country for midnight mass on Christmas Eve, as well as for Christmas Day mass. Dec. 26 marks St. Stephen's Day, a national holiday honoring the Christian martyr, which is celebrated with traditional ceremonies, feasts and trips to pubs across Ireland.