Lá na Máithreacha Sona Daoibh! Celebrate Mother's Day at Virginia Park Lodge 💐
As we prepare for our Mother’s Day weekend at the Lodge, we’ve been wondering about the history of celebrating this special date, and how best we can mark the tradition!
The history of celebrating Mother’s Day in Ireland can be traced all the way back to the 16th century, where it was common for many poor Irish families to send their children to work as servants or helpers to wealthy households. Once a year – in the middle of Lent – the children were given a day off to visit their Mother Church (the church where they were baptised), worshipping the Virgin Mary at special masses. After Mass, the children would be allowed to visit their families, and would traditionally present their mammies with flowers they’d picked along the way!
This practice died out in Ireland in the late 18th century, when children were more kept at home than sent to work. The practice and celebrations came back after World War II, when the Americans began celebrating their own form of Mother’s Day in May.
Nowadays, Mother’s Day is still celebrated with flowers, but is also more of a family event, with a breakfast in bed, father taking on the duties and a day of rest and relaxation for the mammies of the land.
This is just what we’re planning at Virginia Park Lodge! We’re opening our doors for the whole weekend, where you can treat the special lady in your life to a whole weekend of drinking, dining, exploring the local area and a host of seasonal activities. Our team will be on hand to ensure every detail is taken care of, from a full menu of farm-to-fork produce to activities planned for the weekend.
For those who already have weekend plans, we’re also opening the dining room for a delicious Sunday Roast Luncheon on the day itself. Tickets are limited and available now!