LIKE MOST THINGS, IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT SANTA HAS A STRONG CONNECTION WITH IRELAND. WHO WAS HE? Saint Nicholas was born in 260 AD in Patara, a coastal town in what is now Turkey. He became known for his generosity and his love for children. In time he became associated with ships, the sea, and sailors. Consecrated Bishop of Myra, just miles from his hometown he died in 343AD. Many Christian churches and many countries observe December 6th his feast day with great celebrations, processions, services, and gift-giving. He is almost always seen with three bags or balls as well, symbolizing the three bags of gold he tossed through the chimney of the home of a poor man in his village for the daughter’s dowry, so they would not be sold as slaves. He is seen as the “gift giver”, often a ship and the sea are also common symbols of the saint. Saint Nicholas is a patron of many places including Russia, Greece, Holland, Austria, Belgium, Aberdeen, and New York. Pawnbrokers, travelers, unwed persons, children, sailors, and many others claim a special relationship to the saintly figure. Both Saint Nicholas Church and Galway Cathedral are dedicated to the benevolent saint. What’s intriguing is that the earthly remains of St. Nicholas were believed to have been secretly removed from Bari by returning crusader knights, who brought them back to NEWTOWN JERPOINT in CO. KILKENNY. The grave of St. Nicholas is marked by a carved grave slab just outside the church. On the grave slab is the tall figure of the Saint flanked on both sides by the heads of the two Crusader knights who brought his remains there.

This beautiful stained glass panel shows Saint Nicholas giving gifts to children by the mouth of the River Corrib, GALWAY with the Long Walk on the left and a Galway Hooker sailing into view. These beautiful stained glass panels are located at the Children’s Chapel of Saint Nicholas and Our Lady Ascended into Heaven Cathedral. I like to bring visitors here on an extended tour of Galway as it gives a great insight into the city’s history and it’s a tranquil place away from the hustle and bustle. I have no idea where the Ho Ho Ho comes from but Santa’s tomb in Bari bleeds a substance called Mana which is harvested each year by the Roman Catholic Church and made into a holy oil🎄💓#wildatlanticway #irelandsancienteast #discoverireland #wildaboutirelandtours #galway