The Daily Star Ireland
Ireland, a land rich in saints, scholars, and folklore, is home to many Christmas traditions, some of which have unique histories. While practices like lighting the Christmas candle and celebrating Nollaig na mBan have deep roots, newer customs, such as the figure of Santa Claus, have also become an integral part of Irish culture.
Santa Claus, whose origins date back to the late 18th century, was influenced by the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, which was based on St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas of Myra, a bishop known for his acts of kindness and numerous miracles, is the figure from whom the modern-day Santa Claus evolved.
Though it’s widely recognized that Santa Claus traces back to St. Nicholas, what may be less well-known is that there is a strong Irish connection, particularly in County Kilkenny. According to legend, St. Nicholas’s final resting place is located at St. Nicholas’s Church in the ancient town of Newtown Jerpoint, though this is not where his life began.
Born around 280 AD in Patara, now part of Turkey, St. Nicholas was raised by his uncle, a bishop, after losing his parents at a young age. Known for his generosity, he gave away his inheritance to help the poor. St. Nicholas became a priest and later the Bishop of Lycia. One of the most famous stories of his kindness involves secretly giving dowries to a merchant’s daughters by tossing bags of gold down their chimney, a tale that is believed to have inspired the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace.
St. Nicholas passed away on December 6th, 343, at the age of 73. He was canonized and is celebrated every year on his feast day. He is the patron saint of many groups, including children, sailors, merchants, and students.
While the remains of St. Nicholas were originally buried in Myra, they were moved in 1087 by Italian sailors to Bari, Italy. Later, Venetian sailors transported more of his remains to Venice, where a church dedicated to him was constructed.
The story of how St. Nicholas’s remains ended up in Kilkenny is less well-documented but is believed to involve a French Norman family, the de Frainets, who had lands near Thomastown. During the Saracen Muslim revolt in 1087, the family joined the Crusades, and after their defeat, they carried sacred relics, including St. Nicholas’s remains, back to southern Italy. When the Normans were driven out of Italy by the Genoese, St. Nicholas’s remains were moved to Fraxinet in France and later brought to Kilkenny by Nicholas de Frainet, who feared for their safety.
Today, the ruins of St. Nicholas’s Church in Newtown Jerpoint still feature a memorial slab marking his grave. The memorial depicts a cleric’s effigy, flanked by two stone heads, believed locally to represent St. Nicholas and the two crusaders who brought his remains to Kilkenny.
Though this story adds a local Irish chapter to the legend of Santa Claus, the enduring image of jolly old St. Nick continues to captivate children’s imaginations worldwide. As Christmas Eve approaches, children everywhere anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus, knowing that the magic of Christmas will continue as long as there are believers in his festive spirit. This tale, like many others, is part of the enchanting winter narrative that surrounds the holiday season.
