One of the most important religious dates in the Irish calendar, apart from St Patrick’s day, is Easter as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and also holds a number of different Irish traditions.
In Ireland preparation for Easter usually starts on the first day of Lent, forty days before Easter Sunday. From the first day of Lent Irish people would stop eating meat but would also quit something they cherish such as favorite food, alcohol, cigarettes and even television.
During the forty days of Lent fish would be eaten each Friday which is usually cooked in a soup. It’s a time of self discipline and a reflection on what Irish people have to be thankful for but also a time for Irish families to be together.
The last week of Lent is the most important part of the fasting period with Palm Sunday being a week before Holy week which sees the bringing of Easter Sunday.