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 a favourite food, alcohol or even television. Until 2018 it was illegal to sell alcoholic beverages in Ireland on Good Friday and was one of the very rare days throughout the year when pubs would have to close!
Good Friday has always been treated as a day of rest in Ireland with no outdoor work taking place. If you are also choosing to rest this Good Friday, why not read about 5 Irish Good Friday traditions you probably never heard of!
1. Many women believed Good Friday was the best day to get a haircut due to the belief that on Good Friday hair would grow back thicker and longer.
2. Speaking of hair, washing your hair on Good Friday was thought to guard against headaches.
3. It was a time old belief that anything planted on Good Friday was certain to grow.
4. Plant your garlic to use as a remedy against winter coughs
5. Take off your shoes and socks and put them away for the summer. Being barefoot on Good Friday also guaranteed freedom from colds for the rest of the year.
