Grim Christmas in Ireland

Cork, 28 December 1916 - The cheer of the Christmas season has proved in limited supply this December. Despite the return of many rebel prisoners, an atmosphere of mourning and sadness is hanging over the yuletide festival.

This atmosphere is the result of high prices and bereaved homes. The harsh weather has further dampened the festive spirit.

Local reports stated that the 'depression cannot be concealed, and the signs of mourning...are visible amongst all classes. Many breadwinners have passed to their reward, leaving behind them helpless dependents, and when poverty is added to grief the lot of those who have to bear both trials is one for charity and pity.’

A dinner for wounded soldiers in Dublin Castle Hospital on Christmas Day. (Image: Irish Life, 5 January 1917. Full collection at the National Library of Ireland)

In Cork, there was widespread evidence that the city charities were sorely pressed, the high prices of fuel and food having added to their burden. Indeed, the demand for assistance proved heavy and persistent.

Despite the hardship of the season, Christmas morning saw large congregations throng the churches throughout the country.

There was cheer in some houses, notably those of the released internees from prisons in Britain. Also home, to the joy of their families, were the many munitions workers who had returned for the holiday period from various parts of England.

There is no doubt, however, that the enduring war – stretching now into a third year – has destroyed much of the traditional goodwill of Christmas. The death, the drudgery, the pervasive sense of dread has left no family in Ireland untouched and the fact that no end appears to be in sight makes matters worse.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]