What are the similarities and differences between this irish holiday tradition, and the one(s) your family or United States residents celebrate?

Some similarities and differences between Irish and American holiday traditions are that Christmas while in Ireland was a lot like Christmas in America. Family, friends, a Christmas tree, lots of food, and gifts. But there were a few Irish things that are different. Firstly, the Christmas dinner. It reminded me a lot of Thanksgiving dinner back home. Turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and vegetables. It was of course very tasty. Another thing was the lighting of the lights in the town. It was at the beginning of December. There is live music, free food, fireworks and interesting puppet-like things of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. It isn’t a long event, and it is very cold. Something else that was quite different than the usual were the school celebrations. Catholic schools, have a big Christmas party of all sorts on the last day of school.