Ash Wednesday is one of the most obvious religious festivals in Ireland, not as a public holiday (it is not), but because of the way you will find signs of the holiday on many public streets and on people’s faces. Especially the most active Catholics will sport an ash stain on their foreheads, applied in the shape of a rough cross. Find out more about how Catholics celebrate Ash Wednesday in Ireland:
what is Ash Wednesday?
Generally speaking, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and follows in the footsteps of the pancake feast that is Shrove Tuesday (known as Mardi Gras in some corners of the world).
Although it changes each year like a date on the calendar, Ash Wednesday takes place forty-six days before Easter and is a moving holiday tied to the date of Easter. The earliest possible calendar date in any year is February 4, while the last March 10. In particular, Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of the Lenten period, which is defined roughly as forty days of fasting before Easter.
Lent lasts 40 days, so why is Ash Wednesday 46 days before Easter? This is because the Catholic Church has a policy that excludes the six Sundays during Lent from the actual Lenten fast.
Ash Wednesday takes its name from the day of the week that it always occurs, and the symbol used to mark the day. Traditionally, a priest dips his thumb in ash and uses it to draw the sign of the cross on the forehead or head during mass. Ash Wednesday is a solemn holiday and the use of ashes is intended to serve as a reminder of mortality, as well as a sign of mourning and repentance. Often times, the ashes were produced by burning palm leaves on Palm Sunday the previous year.
Ash Wednesday is also a very inclusive holiday: Anglican, Catholic, and other (Reformed) Christians celebrate the day.
What Ash Wednesday looks like in Ireland
Catholics will traditionally observe Ash Wednesday fasting, that is, abstain from meat and repent in church. When practicing Catholics attend Mass on this day, the ashes of the priest are received. The ash cross is not cleaned after leaving the church, but is allowed to fade naturally.
If you are a visitor to Ireland and you are not observing the party, you will no doubt be surprised by the number of people walking this Wednesday with ‘stained foreheads’, especially in the afternoon. You are considering it rude to point out the ash mark or offer to clean it up.
You can even see public officials going about their business with the sign of the cross. Gardai (Irish Police) are officially prohibited from displaying religious (or political) insignia of service and uniform, but an ashen cross on the forehead appears to be tolerated.
How to observe Ash Wednesday in Ireland
Ash Wednesday is not an official state holiday in Ireland and observing the day is entirely up to the person. Many people do not observe the religious holiday in any way. Others go to mass and receive the mark of ashes and stop there. Others continue with a traditional and comprehensive religious celebration.
Healthy and not too old adult Catholics are theoretically only allowed to eat one full meal on Ash Wednesday, but two smaller meals may be allowed (as long as the amount of food in those two meals together does not exceed the Full meal). Ash Wednesday is traditionally also a day of abstinence from meat (which, according to the definition of the Catholic Church, means that mammals and birds – fish are allowed). But some Catholics may go beyond the minimum obligations in favor of a complete fast or a fast with only bread and water for the day.
Very few Catholics will continue to fast until the end of Lent, although this would not mean total abstinence from food. It is now more common to give up certain food groups, chosen by the individual, for the full 40 days of Lent. Some people choose to forgo sweets or the fattening of foods like butter as a kind of symbolic fast.
How has Ash Wednesday changed?
Ash Wednesday has changed slightly, but the exact measure of this evolution would depend a lot on the individual. Generally speaking, traditionally in Ireland, more people would have observed Ash Wednesday more rigidly and each household would ensure that at least one member attended Mass (who could then carry the ashes to the other family members).
The fast for the religious holiday would also be longer and more austere, which could have to do with late winter / early spring needs as a lean period in nature as well. Animal products would not have been eaten or used in the kitchen, but fish and shellfish would have been acceptable. So there is no meat, eggs, butter, milk, and animal fats. Traditionally the pan was cleaned after the Shrove Tuesday pancake bonanza and then put away for the season.
All socializing would also be suspended: no music, dancing, or games were allowed. Even friendly visits between neighbors can be frowned upon. Alcohol and tobacco? Absolutely not!
New traditions in Ireland
One of the most striking developments was designating Ash Wednesday as “National No Smoking Day” a few years ago. This ties in very well with the tradition of letting go of bad habits and luxuries during Lent.
Ash Wednesday has also become a focal point for many charities. The idea is that you give up a little luxury for the next forty days and give the money you saved to a good cause. Therefore, it would not be unusual to be stopped by people on the streets of Dublin, who might ask strangers what they plan to give up on Lent. Regardless of race or religion. It is used as an opening to later ask if you want to make a donation to the charity they represent.
