Today is 'Women's Christmas' in Ireland - here's what that means

Today is "Nollaig na mBan" in Ireland, also known as "Little Christmas," "Women's Christmas," and "Women's Little Christmas."

To the Christian world it's the "official" end of Christmas and "Feast of the Epiphany" - the day when three Magi are said to have descended upon Bethlehem to bestow the baby Jesus with symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrhh. The event has an alternative, cult significance for women, particularly in parts of Ireland.

Traditionally, Nollaig na mBan was a day for women to relieve themselves of household duties and revel with female friends, perhaps even sharing gifts.

According to the Dublin Visitor Centre: "In 2016 domestic duties are more evenly shared, however Nollaig na mBan or Women's or Little Christmas is a day when women gather together to have their annual Christmas post mortem and discuss the upcoming year ahead."

In certain corners of the country, prayers are said to Saint Brigid of Kildare.

Today, the old tradition is being utilised by womens' organisations to inspire change.

Orla O'Connor, the director of the National Women's Council of Ireland, has called on women to use the day to engage with the Department of Justice on the new National Women's Strategy, stating: "Issues such as abortion, violence against women and the gender pay gap dominated the news in 2016. It is clear that we are a long way off achieving our vision for women's equality."

"The new National Women's Strategy 2016 - 2020 represents a real opportunity to reflect on the diversity of women's experiences. It is an important moment for women to have their voices heard, and to an ambitious strategy which sees us achieve a feminist future by 2020."

Furthermore, women's cultural movement 'Illuminate Herstory' are using the day as a platform for their festival, which is projecting images of Irish heroines across the country.

Founder and former advertising and marketing executive Melanie Lynch told BBC NI: "From the shadows into the light, we want to share women's stories from families and communities and resurrect tales of lost national heroines and women admired around the world."

You can see Herstory's short film below: