Christmas in Ireland is full of traditions, rituals, and they each have a scent of their own. For many of us, the trip to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was a big one. I remember being dragged to it as a kid, too excited for Santa, but when I got there the smell of frankincense and the candles, and even the polished wood of the pews made it feel very special. All of this inspired one of our most loved Christmas candles — Midnight Mass.

This candle has become one of our best-selling Christmas gifts, designed to capture that moment in time. It’s a gorgeous way of bringing home that feeling of an Irish Christmas Eve into your own home, wherever you are in the world.

The Folklore of Animals Bowing at Midnight

In our research into Irish Christmas traditions, we found an really interesting piece of folklore. It was said that at the exact moment of midnight on Christmas Eve, when Midnight Mass began, all the animals of the farm would bow down. Donkeys, cows, horses and sheep.

It was said this story was often told by grandparents to kids as they made their way to church in the dark. You can imagine that it gave the night a magical, otherworldly feel. 

The Fragrance of Midnight Mass

The Midnight Mass Candle blends frankincense, lemon and cedarwood to recreate the fragrance of Christmas Eve. It’s one of those more unusal Christmas smells that instantly transports you back without being over whelmed by cinnamon.

Many of our customers tell us it reminds them of childhood Christmases. It can actually catch some people off guard as the memories come flooding back.

Christmas Traditions & Scent Memories

Christmas is about memory as much as anything else. The smells of Christmas — the traditional ones like turf smoke and frankincense then you have the smells of quality street and wrapping paper. It always amazes me how many scent memories we have locked away.

This is why our candles and incense make for a really thoughtful Christmas gift — something inspired by Irish stories, while being eco-friendly and super sustainable.

Shop Midnight Mass & Our Christmas Candle Collection

You can shop the candle here: Midnight Mass Candle. It’s part of our Christmas Candle Collection, which also includes Christmas in a Jar — another seasonal favourite. Together, they bring the scents of Irish Christmas into your home and make meaningful gifts.

Closing Thoughts

For us, the Midnight Mass Candle is more than just scent. It’s a story in a jar, tying together the memories of Christmas Eve, the folklore of animals bowing at midnight, and the unforgettable smells of Irish Christmas. Light it, gift it, share it — and let a little piece of Irish tradition fill your home this Christmas. 

Thanks so much for reading this folks.

Michael