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A Cozy Irish Winter: Christmas Traditions, Wellness Retreats, and Lasting Memories

Writer's picture: Rima F. (Japan)Rima F. (Japan)

As the new year begins, I’m reflecting on my first Christmas break spent in Ireland. I had always gone back home for Christmas break, but since this is my last year here, I decided to make it memorable by staying the whole year.


A Classic Christmas Tradition


The last day of school was the carol service, which was truly beautiful and memorable. The whole school was singing Christmas classics, and It was a perfect way to start the festive season and embrace the spirit of Christmas. After that, I headed over to my friend’s house, where I stayed there for a week, including Christmas. I joined in on their holiday festivities: On Christmas Eve, I joined their family tradition of watching Home Alone in the theatre. It was such a fun and heartwarming way to get into the Christmas spirit. On the drive home, the quiet streets and closed shops surprised me, as it actually hit me that it was Christmas. 


Christmas morning was equally magical. We woke up early to exchange gifts beneath their beautifully decorated tree. One of the sweetest surprises was a Jellycat plushie they gifted me. It’s quickly become one of my favourite things and a keepsake that reminds me of their kindness and generosity. They made me feel so welcome and included, and I’ll always be grateful for the warmth of that morning.


Returning Home Away From Home


After the first week, I moved to my host family’s house. To be honest, I was quite nervous initially, but they welcomed me warmly. Having this kind of connection has been invaluable during my year abroad. The rest of the holidays were a perfect mix of festive cheer and quiet moments to relax and recharge. While enjoying the holiday atmosphere, I knew my mock exams were fast approaching, so I took some time to focus on my studies. I enrolled in online grinds to prepare, and they proved to be incredibly helpful. It was a relief to feel a growing sense of confidence as I tackled revision, and I’m grateful for the balance I struck between work and play. The key was making space for both—a lesson I’ll carry forward as the academic challenges continue.


Sharing My Story


The first day back was quite exciting, as I had the chance to give a speech to my peers about my experiences as an international student and about being a third-culture kid during assembly. A main part of our talks in the school is on Aristotelian virtues, I reflected on equity and the importance of supporting others according to their unique needs. Sharing my thoughts on kindness, generosity, and the power of community felt deeply personal and meaningful, especially given how much these themes defined my holiday season.


A Wellness Retreat to Recharge


After my eventful day with my speech, the following day turned out to be exciting as well. To start the new term on the right note, my school organised a wellness retreat for sixth years for two nights at the Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar. We left on a Tuesday afternoon after classes, eager for a change of pace. I roomed with my friends Anouk, Cathy, and Madeleine. That evening, we enjoyed a delightful dinner and explored the hotel, which was beautifully designed. As someone aspiring to be an architect, I couldn’t help but marvel at how thoughtfully the spaces were designed.


The next day focused entirely on wellness. After a hearty breakfast (hashbrowns and fried eggs—my favourites!), we attended yoga and mindfulness sessions. One lesson that stayed with me was the idea of viewing emotions as objects—not every fear or worry reflects reality. It’s such a simple concept, but it’s already helping me approach challenges with a clearer perspective. 


We wrapped up with a lovely lunch of hearty sandwiches and vegetable soup before taking a frosty walk around the hotel’s snowy grounds. The landscape was enchanting, especially as we got to see a murmur of birds in the sky at sunset. After being in the snow, the murmur my friends and I headed back to their spa facilities. I had so much fun in the pool as well as using their facilities of a steam room and jacuzzi. The retreat was just what I needed to feel refreshed and ready for what lies ahead.


Looking Ahead


This Christmas break was everything I could have hoped for—a chance to create lasting memories, nurture connections, and prepare myself for the road ahead. With my mocks coming up in February and so many “last” milestones as I near the end of my year in Ireland, I’m ready to embrace every moment with gratitude and focus.



My Christmas outfit!
My Christmas outfit!

Rima with three of her friends from school in Ireland
Irish school friends and me!

A dig sitting in a park somewhere in Ireland
Taking my friend's dog for a walk.

A plate of hot breakfast foods, including hash browns and an egg.
The hotel breakfast at my wellness retreat. Yummy!

A beautiful sunset with blue and pink skies over a lake.
The sunset from my wellness retreat hotel.

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