Did you know? Every first Monday in May, our friends on the Emerald Isle celebrate May Day. Want to learn more about the event before—or even during —your teen language study trip to Ireland with LEC? Click here!
May Day or Labor Day?
May Day, also known as Labour Day during their teen language study trip to Ireland, is a public holiday throughout the Republic of Ireland that falls on the first Monday of May each year. Similar to France’s Labor Day, it is actually a traditional Celtic festival as well as an occasion to celebrate workers across the country.
Celebrations and parades during May Day
On May Day, festivals and fairs are held across the country—something you might have the chance to experience during your teen language study trip to Ireland. In major cities such as Dublin, it’s not uncommon to come across parades and demonstrations, often led by unions or political parties.
Dance around the maypole
It is during May Day—or Lá Bealtaine or Lá an Lucht Oibre in the language still spoken by some indigenous people—that the famous maypoles, or May trees. The maypole is the number one symbol of May Day in Ireland. Usually at least three meters tall, it is decorated with dozens of multicolored ribbons. Although the tradition is gradually fading, it calls for the youngest and oldest members of the community to dance around the maypole, each holding onto one of the ribbons. Once the dance is finished, the ribbons are arranged to form a decorative pattern on the ground. Around the maypoles, banks, offices, and some shops close their doors to fully enjoy the festivities.