Diversity

& Inclusion
Calendar
 INTRODUCTION
In order to support your club with planning this guidance has
been written to provide you with the most significant dates
for multicultural & religious observance together with some
information on them. It is not intended that you avoid all these
dates, and the list is by no means exhaustive, but you are advised
to consult with your club, members and communities as to the
most relevant dates to consider for your locality as this will vary
considerably.

A calendar of these dates will be provided by Cricket Ireland

annually. You should note that some religions work on a lunar
calendar (10/11 months) rather than the Gregorian (12 months)
which means dates will vary from year to year. In addition, some
dates can only be confirmed by the sighting of the moon so are
sometimes expressed as two or three dates and confirmed nearer
the time of the festival. Some dates also have alternative spellings.

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2

FAITH BASED BY RELIGION 3

INTERFAITH DATES 2024 4

EXPLANATION OF KEY RELIGIOUS OBSERVATIONS 6

SIGNIFICANT DATES 2024 7

EXAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES 8

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALT TEXT 8

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FAITH BASED BY RELIGION

Buddhism Christianity

• Chinese New year • Christmas Day

• Vesak/Buddha Day • Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• Sundays unless the League is a Sunday League
Hinduism (Membership of or participation in Sunday football
could be taken as consent to play on Sundays,
• Diwali (or Divali)
except for example when Christmas Day falls on a
• Navaratri – this is nine nights but usually finishes
Sunday or on Easter Sunday
quite late, not ideal when playing evening matches
• Raksha Bandhan
• Holi – Only for evening fixtures as Holi is celebrated
Islam
in late afternoon/evenings
• Eid-al-Fitr (occurs at the end of Ramadan)
• Eid ul-Adha
Judaism • Al-Hijra/Muharram

• Rosh Hashanah
• Yom Kippur
Sikh Faith
• Passover – the first and last two days of the festival
• Sukkot – the first two days of the festival • Diwali (Divalior Bandi Chhor Divas)
• Friday evening to Saturday evening (Sabbath) unless • Vaisakhi (Baisakhi)
the League is a Saturday League (membership of, or • Birthday of Guru Nanakt
participation in, Saturday football shall be taken as
consent to play on Saturdays with the exception of
significant days of observance

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 INTERFAITH DATES 2024
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Feb 10
Chinese New
Year
Jan 25 Apr 24 May 23 July 21
Aug 13 Dec 8
BUDDHISM Mahayana Feb 15 Theravada Vesak- Asala Puja/
Obon Bodhi Day
New Year Nirvana Day New Year Buddha Day Dharma Day

Feb 24
Magha Puja

Feb 14 Mar 29 Apr 1

Ash Good Friday Easter
Jul 25
Wednesday Monday
Jan 6 May 19 St. James Dec 25
CHRISTIANITY Epiphany
Mar 31
Pentecost the Great Christmas
Feb 14 - Easter Apr 23
Day
March 2 St Georges
Lent Day

Apr 13
Mar 8 Vaisakhi /
Maha Baisakhi /
Shivaratri Vishu Sep 7
Nov 1
Ganesh
Jan 15 Feb 14 Aug 26 Diwali
Mar 20 Apr 14 Chaturthi Oct 3-11
HINDUISM Makarasan- Vasant
Hindi New Tamil New
Krishna
Navaratri
kranti Panchami Janmashami Nov 3
Year Year Sep 17
Bhai Dooj
Onam
Mar 25 Apr 15
Holi Bihu Bengali
New Year

Oct 2-4
Rosh
Hashanah
Jan 25 Mar 23-24 Apr 22-30 Jun 11-13 Dec 7-15
JUDAISM Tu BiShvat Purim Passover Shavuot
Oct 11-12
Hanukkah
Yom Kippur

Oct 16-23
Sukkot

Jul 7
Mar 10 - Apr 8 Jun 16
ISLAM Ramadan Eid Al-Ahda
Hijra Islamic
New Year

Jan 13
Oct 31 - Nov 1
Maghi Lohri Jun 16
Diwali
Martyrdom
Apr 13
SIKH FAITH Jan 17
Viasakhi
Of Guru
Birthday of Arjan Dev Oct 20
Guru Gobind Sahibj Birth Of the
Singh Guru Granth

*Please note dates will vary from year to year as some religions work on lunar calendar
(10/11 months) and some dates can only be confirmed by sighting of the moon.

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EXPLANATION OF KEY
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Al-Hijra/Muharram
Islamic New Year and the first of the
month of Muharram, where Muslims
celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s
migration from Mecca to Medina. For
Shi’as the first ten days are a period of
mourning culminating in Ashura Day,
commemorating the martyrdom of Imam
Husayn.
Birthday of Guru Nanak
Birthday of founder of Sikhism. This is
one of the holiest of the Sikhs which is
celebrated over a three day period.
Buddha Day
Birthday of the founder of the Sikh
faith. This is one of the holiest Sikh
festivals which is celebrated over a
three day period. 2021 is the 552nd birth
anniversary.
Chinese New Year
The most important day in the traditional
Chinese calendar and marks the beginning
of the first Lunar month.
Christmas
Celebrates the birth of Jesus who
Christians believe to be the Son of God.
Christians focus on the incarnation of God
becoming a man in this major festival.
Diwali (or Divali) – (Hindu/Sikh)
Festival of Lights. Celebration of good
over evil. Victory of Lord Rama over
demon Ravana and end of over 14 years
Easter Sunday
Christians celebrate the resurrection of
Jesus from the dead.
Eid-al-Adha
This Muslim festival marks Day Three
of Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and also
commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s
willingness to sacrifice his own son
Ishmael.
Eid-al-Fitr
This day marks the end of the month of
fasting for Muslims (Ramadan). The day
is marked with prayers and festivity and
presents for children.
Good Friday
This day commemorates the crucifixion of
Jesus.
Hindu New Year
Often thought of as more important that
Diwali, many Hindus celebrate this in the
spring but some on the day following
Diwali.
 EXPLANATION OF KEY
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES cont.

Holi
Spring Festival of Colours for Hindus which symbolises the triumph of good
over evil. The event celebrates the death of the evil demoness Holika who was
consumed by fire while her nephew Prahlad, who was a devotee of Vishnu,
survived. These days the event is signified by burning large bonfires, dancing
and spraying coloured powder and water on each other.
Lent
A period of preparation including prayer, fasting and reflection lasting six
weeks up to Easter Sunday.
Sukkot
Jewish harvest festival commemorating the forty years spent in the wilderness
on the way to Israel. Sukkot 2020 runs from 2-9 October but the religious
restrictions on working, carrying, driving only apply from sunset 2 to sunset 4
October.
Vaisakhi (Baisakhi)
Vaisakhi marks the Sikh new year and celebrates the formation of the ‘Khalsa
Panth’ (family of warrior soldiers) formed by the 10th Guru Gobind Singh Ji in
1699, who initiated five disciples known as the Five Beloved Ones.

Navaratri Yom Kippur

Nine days of dance (Garba) and celebration when the Goddess Durga is Day of Atonement (Jewish). The last day of 10 days of repentance and the
worshipped by Hindus. holiest day of the year with fasting and prayer

Passover
A Jewish festival recalling the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and
celebrating the barley harvest. Unleavened bread is eaten with a special meal
(Seder), with food, prayers, games and song.

Raksha Bandhan
Sisters tie holy thread onto brothers wrists for protection. Brothers in return
give sisters presents and also offer the sisters protection.

Ramadan
The Islamic month of fasting from before dawn to sunset every day, normally
30 days ending with Eid-Al-Fitr

Rosh Hashanah
Two-day religious observance that marks the start of the Jewish New Year. It
is traditionally announced by blowing a shofar, a ram’shorn trumpet. It is the
first of the high holy days, or ‘days of awe’, and celebrates the creation of the
world, the repentance of sins, and the renewal of God’s relationship with the
Jewish people.

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SIGNIFICANT DATES 2024
6th
1st 4th 21st 27th
JANUARY Nollaig na mBan / Little
New Years Day World Braille Day World Religion Day Holocaust Memorial Day
Christmas

23rd
1st 20th
FEBRUARY Black History Month International Stand Up to
St Brigid’s Day World Day of Social Justice
Bullying Day

21st
World Down Syndrome
1st 15th
3rd 8th 17th Day
MARCH International Wheelchair Day & International Day to Combat
World Hearing Day International Womens Day St Patricks Day International Day for
Traveller Ethnicity Day Islamophobia
the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination

8th 26th
2nd 10th-12th
APRIL International Traveller and National Workplace
World Autism Awareness day Eid al-Fitr
Roma Day Wellbeing Day

16th
13th-19th 15th-21st 25th
MAY Global Accessibility
Mental Health Awareness week National Volunteer Week Africa Day
Awareness Day

20th 24th-30th
JUNE Pride Month
World Refugee Day World Wellbeing Week

5th 17th
JULY National Diversity International Nelson Mandela
& Inclusion Day Day

22nd
International Day Commemorating
AUGUST
the Victims of Acts of Violence
Based on Religion or Belief

23rd 26th
10th
SEPTEMBER International Day of Sign International Day of
World Suicide Prevention Day
Languages Languages

10th
OCTOBER World Mental Health Month
World Mental Health Day

25th
19th 20th International Day for the
NOVEMBER
International Men’s Day World Children’s Day Elimination of Violence
Against Women

3rd
10th
DECEMBER International Day of Persons with
Human Rights Day
Disabilities

*Please note dates will vary from year to year as some religions work on lunar calendar
(10/11 months) and some dates can only be confirmed by sighting of the moon.

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 EXAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

Islam JUDAISM

EID-AL-ADHA ROSH HASHANAH

Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim followers!
Image of moon or lantern
MUHARRAM
(ISLAMIC NEW YEAR)
Wishing all Muslims who are Wishing all our Jewish followers well
commemorating Muharram peace
and blessings
Solemn holiday so no appropriate image
Wishing all our Jewish followers a
Shana Tova today!
Image of apple dipped in honey
CHRISTIANITY
YOM KIPPUR CHRISTMAS
Merry Christmas to all our followers!
over the fast of Yom Kippur
Image of Christmas tree, snow, nativity scene
Solemn holiday so no appropriate image

RAMADAN
#RamadanMubarak from everyone at
to all those preparing to fast
during the holy month.
Image of a new moon, silver/gold bowl of
dates, prayer beads
EID-AL-FITR
#EidMubarak to all our Muslim
followers celebrating around
the world!
Image of a new moon
CHANUKAH
Happy Chanukah to all our Jewish
friends and followers who begin their
celebrations today!
Image of Menorah
PURIM
We would like to wish a #HappyPurim
to all those celebrating this evening!
Image of Hamantaschen, traditional pastry
PASSOVER
Chag Kasher Vesameach! We would
like to send our best wishes to everyone
in the Jewish community as #Passover
begins this evening.
Image of Matzvah, wine, crackers
EASTER
Happy Easter to everyone celebrating
over the extended weekend!
Image of something that represents Christs
Resurrection e.g. an empty tomb. A Happy
Easter message should go out on Easter
Sunday rather than Good Friday
BUDDHISM
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Happy #ChineseNewYear to all our
followers who this weekend celebrate
the start of the Year of the Ox!
Image of a golden Ox
BUDDHA DAY/VESAK
Happy Buddha Day. Best wishes for
Vesak to all those celebrating across
the world!
Image of the Dharma Wheel or a silhouette
of the Dharmader

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SIKH FAITH

DIWALI/BANDI CHHOR HINDUISM/JAINISM

Happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor to all our Hindu,
Sikh and Jain followers! DIWALI
Image of people celebrating with light or fireworks.
Happy Diwali to all our followers
If Sikh specific, an image of the Golden Temple with celebrating today!
fireworks Image of people celebrating with light or
fireworks
BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK
Happy Guru Nanak Gurpurb to everyone celebrating HOLI FESTIVAL
the birth of the founder of the Sikh faith! We’d like to wish a #HappyHoli to
#GuruNanak anyone celebrating the festival of
Image of Ik Onkar, a Sikh symbol colours today!
Image of people celebrating the festival with
BIRTHDAY OF GURU GOBIND SINGH lots of colour

Happy Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab to all our

Sikh followers – he stood for the universal values of
freedom, equality and justice for all!
OR
Wishing Sikhs everywhere a very happy Guru
Gobind Singh Gurpurb. Gurpurb di lakh lakh vidaye!
(The last part of the message means “Many many
goodwishes for the gurpurb”)
Image of Anandpur Sahib (the birthplace of the
Khalsa)or the Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Gurdwara
where he was born) or A Khanda (Sikh symbol)

VAISAKHI
#HappyVaisakhi to everyone from the Sikh
community celebrating the birth of the
Khalsa over the coming days!
Image of the triangular flag with the Sikh insignia
of the Khanda

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 ALT TEXT HASHTAGS
ALT Text is the abbreviation for Hashtags are words following the
alternative text. ALT Text is a # symbol which can be used to
sentence describing an image. It is categorise social media posts or
read by screen readers in place of track content.
images, allowing your image to be
accessed by people who are blind
Poor ALT Text: Using hashtags can be useful to
or visually impaired. It can be useful “Players Good ALT Text: track a social media campaign on
to people with certain sensory celebrating” “2 female Fox cricket activity at your club.
processing and/or learning disabilities Lodge players
Don’t forget to tag the Cricket
Tips for using ALT Text celebrate taking a Ireland Participation channels in
- Be specific and concise; wicket in the All- your celebration posts on social
media and use:
- Describe the content of the image. Ireland T20 final”
tion
Say what you see – avoid making #InclusionInAc
assumptions about ethnicity or
gender, or about what is happening
out of shot.
- An easy way to be concise is to
describe the image as if you were
describing it over the phone. A
few words will usually be enough;
though sometimes a full sentence is
necessary. Bear in mind that screen
readers may cut-off alt text at
around 125 characters, so best stick
within that limit.

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