In Ireland’s Catholic culture, blessings are believed to invoke divine protection and invite God’s presence into daily life. A longstanding tradition at Dublin Airport is the annual “Blessing of the Planes,” performed by the parish priest on Christmas Day. This ritual, symbolizing the sanctification and consecration of spaces or objects, underscores the enduring role of faith in everyday life.
On this day, the airport’s tower also shuts down, and the surrounding airspace becomes uncontrolled. This rare situation allows private light aircraft the unique opportunity to land on a major international airport’s runway. While this unofficial practice is generally tolerated, aircraft must remain near the runway and taxiways, refraining from venturing further.
Christmas Day creates a distinctive situation across Ireland, as all airports and ports, not just Dublin Airport, close for the day, effectively isolating the island from the rest of the world. The sole exception is Shannon Airport in County Clare, which remains operational for emergencies and refueling, thanks to its strategic location and long runway.
The tradition of blessing aircraft at Dublin Airport began in 1947 with Aer Lingus planes, which were named after Christian saints. Originally held during the summer, the ceremony moved to Christmas Day in 1967 to coincide with the airport’s closure. Over time, as the airport grew busier, the practice expanded to include Ryanair’s fleet, bringing a sense of sanctity to more airlines.
A similar tradition exists at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Bali. This airport closes annually for the “Day of Silence,” known as Nyepi, which marks the Balinese New Year. Emergency operations only. During this Hindu cultural and spiritual celebration, Bali comes to a complete standstill. Streets are deserted, businesses are closed, and lighting is minimal, creating an atmosphere for reflection, meditation, and spiritual cleansing.