We are Celebrating Mother’s Day over 2200 Years
Happy Mother’s Day from Hodson Bay Hotel
Mother’s Day is also known as Mothering Sunday in Ireland and UK. Mother’s Day celebrations date back as far as the ancient Greeks where they would celebrate Rhea, the Mother of the Gods and Goddesses, every spring. The Romans also celebrated a mother Goddess, Cybele, every March dating back to 250BC.
Why do we celebrate?
Mother’s Day is a day to show love, gratitude and appreciation to all the beautiful mothers everywhere. We do this through acts of kindness and offering gifts to our mothers. Mother’s Day is a day to show love, gratitude and appreciation to all the beautiful mothers everywhere. We do this through acts of kindness and offering gifts to our mothers.
The Origins of Mother’s Day
Roast Dinner in L’Escale Restaurant, Hodson Bay Hotel
During the 16th Century, there have been various traditions and festivities created, one of which was Mothering Sunday. It was celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday. Originally it was a day to honour and give thanks to the Virgin Mary or Mother Mary. Christians were required to visit their ‘mother’ church – the main church or cathedral in a family’s area. Christians believed it was essential for people to return to their home ‘mother’ church. These gatherings reunited families. In those times children worked as domestic servants, or apprentices away from home from as young as ten years old. Mothering Sunday allowed families the opportunity to have the day to come together and see their mother.
Queen of the Feast
Mothering Sunday was once also known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’ of ‘Simnel Sunday’ where mothers celebrated with a lavish roast feast and freshly baked simnel cakes. Since traditionally this celebration fell during Lent, it was a welcome temporary indulgence. So, after mass, families would tuck into a Sunday dinner of either roast lamb or veal, and the mother was made Queen of the feast.
Simnel Cake Recipe – a traditional cake originally made for the middle Sunday of Lent
Simnel Cakes consist of two rich fruity layers that are boiled in water and then baked, before having almond paste spread on top and in the middle of the layers. Traditionally the cake would have been decorated with eleven marzipan ball representing the eleven disciples (not including Judas).
Top 10 Thoughtful Gifts for You Mammy
Every mother is special we hope you enjoy our delicious gift ideas this mothers day
1. Write Her a Letter
Written expressions of how we feel are one of the most powerful ways we can let someone know how we feel. That is why we have cards on almost every occasion. When you write down how you feel it takes time and effort something your mum does without a second thought.
2. Take Her out for a Day
Make time to take your mum out for the day. Gifts are great and everything, but the gift of your time is priceless. Just sitting and chatting over some afternoon tea is a great way to give her your time.
3. Bring Her Shopping
Instead of tearing your hair out trying to guess her favourite perfume or clothing label, why not bring her out on a shopping day. She will love it!
4. Treat her to a holistic experience
Escape for sheer bliss and relaxation, The Spa at Hodson Bay Hotel
Lots of mums don’t take the time or even have the time to indulge in some TLC (tender loving care) so arrange for her to experience a fabulous holistic massage or facial so she can enjoy some well-deserved downtime just for her.
5. Book her a breakaway
For the ultimate gift where she has no cleaning, no cooking and no stress, book her a night away so she can get a great night sleep and enjoy the simple things like sipping a coffee while overlooking the tranquil waters of Lough Ree with no worries or distractions.
6. Flowers
Flowers are something ladies love. They are an age-old token of affection and appreciation. You can really show your mum your appreciation with a hand-crafted bouquet of beautiful flowers delivered straight to her door.
7. Dinner Together
Newly refurbished L’Escale Restaurant
Traditionally, celebrations of food such as roast dinner where the whole family came together honoured mothers. But if you can’t cook, maybe take her out for a pleasant dining experience so everyone can enjoy the meal without the clean-up.
8. Handmade Gifts
Thoughtful gifts don’t have to be something expensive. Creating a box where you put a collection of items you feel expresses how much you care about your mum. Fridge magnets, candles, cards, etc.
9. Arrange a Night out for her
A lot of the time mothers take on the world and move naturally to take on most of the responsibilities of her family. These responsibilities impact her social life. So, call a few of her close friends and arrange a night of her to let her hair down in the way she likes to.
10. Tickets to her Favourite Thing
Buy her two tickets to her favourite concert, play, or festival. In this way, she can look forward to enjoying a night out.
Make your mum feel extra special this Mother’s Day
Gift giving for Mother’s Day is about your mum. This Mother’s Day, make her feel extra special with a thoughtful gift. Gather together, so your mum has all her family around her.
Our three hotels are offering three unique dining experiences to bring families together. Check out their social media pages for information and booking: Hodson Bay Hotel, Sheraton Athlone Hotel and Galway Bay Hotel.
We would like to wish every mother a Very Happy Mother’s Day…know you are worth it.