Why is today, 8th December traditionally the day country people headed to Dublin to shop? #CulchieDay

Because for many, the kids were off school.

Why were they off school?

Catholic schools were closed for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/1206/836917-dublin-city-christmas-shopping/

What's that, you ask?

It was a church holiday created in 1854, and relates to the conception of Mary, not Jesus.

It's old, though. The Feast of the Conception of Mary was celebrated in England in the early half of 11th century. It survived suppression by the Normans to spread to Ireland. The teacher of Duns Scotus had the "pious opinion” that Mary “did not contract original [sin]”.

And Duns Scotus is where the Irish connection comes in.

#IrishPhilosophyOTD