Helen Walsh Folsom

An Irish Christmas and the Storyteller Helen Walsh Folsom

Through the centuries, the good folk in Ireland have grown pleasant traditions and habits to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child during Christmas. However, Christmas in Ireland does not just celebrate one or two special days; Christmas lasts 12 days .. and perhaps even a little bit longer. In "An Irish Christmas and the Storyteller," set in 1894, introduces one of the many country villages in Ireland and the eager villagers' preparations to get ready days and weeks ahead. Delicious edibles were prepared like the barm brack, a yeasty nut bread with secret surprises. Other tasty treats would be made and set aside, and the little stone houses would be decorated with fresh strewn holly tree branches and laurel. Some traditions were copied practices of their American cousins like roast turkeys and secrets on Christmas morning, and the good folk of the Irish villages shared their feasts and music, dancing and legends with those less fortunate neighbors and friends. This is the story of the O'Farrell family's Christmas, and most especially of their daughter, Kathleen ... who just might believe in Christmas miracles.