Explore the Celtic world

December in Celtic History

Explore December through winter celebrations, Scottish and Irish history, writers, music, faith, and year-end traditions.

Stories and traditions

Highlights for December

Scottish winter traditions

Hogmanay and New Year

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Faith and celebration

Christmas Traditions

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December in Ireland

Browse Irish history, people, traditions, and anniversaries from December and throughout the year.

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December by country

Ireland

December 1, 1890Six Days of Irish Parliamentary Party Debates Begin, Only to End in a Split, With the Majority Opposing Parnell December 1, 1889Michael Hayes, Politician and Professor of Irish, Is Born in Dublin December 1, 1848The Paddle Steamer the Londonderry, With Immigrants Fleeing the Famine, Takes Shelter in Derry Harbour

Scotland

December 1, 1787First Lighthouse in Scotland Opened at Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh December 1, 1768The First Volume of Encyclopedia Britannica Was Published in Edinburgh December 2, 1848Mary Slessor, Missionary in Nigeria, West Africa, Born in Aberdeen, Scotland

England

December 2, 1935Llewelyn Powys, Welsh Writer, Died December 4, 1423James I, Is Released From 18 Years Captivity in England December 9, 1688Williamite Forces Defeat Jacobites at Battle of Reading, Forcing James II to Flee England

Chronological archive

December history

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December 1, 1890

Six Days of Irish Parliamentary Party Debates Begin, Only to End in a Split, With the Majority Opposing Parnell

December 1, 1889

Michael Hayes, Politician and Professor of Irish, Is Born in Dublin

December 1, 1848

The Paddle Steamer the Londonderry, With Immigrants Fleeing the Famine, Takes Shelter in Derry Harbour

December 1, 1787

First Lighthouse in Scotland Opened at Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh

December 1, 1768

The First Volume of Encyclopedia Britannica Was Published in Edinburgh

December 1, 1494

Poynings' Law Enacted, Strengthened English Crown Control Over Irish Parilment

December 2, 1935

Llewelyn Powys, Welsh Writer, Died

December 2, 1924

William Craig, Unionist Politician, Is Born

December 2, 1877

Cahir Healy, Born in Mountcharles, Co. Donegal

December 2, 1865

William Roberts Becomes Leader of the Fenian Brotherhood

December 2, 1848

Mary Slessor, Missionary in Nigeria, West Africa, Born in Aberdeen, Scotland

December 2, 1811