So just where do April’s foolish notions come from?

WE’VE all done it, haven’t we? Piled hundreds of old tyres on to the summit of a dormant volcano, set them alight, and run down the mountain just in time to shout ‘April fool!’ as fleeing villagers pile their belongings into every available vehicle.

Yes, people around the world will be getting in touch with their inner prankster on Wednesday. The world has long enjoyed the comic latitude April Fools’ Day bestows; the licence to dupe everybody is a widespread celebration. Everyone takes part — Newfoundland lobster fishermen creep up on workmates and pinched them on the bottom; bomb disposal officers in Afghanistan burst balloons in their comrade’s ears just as they’re about to snip a tripwire.

Writers have also joined in. The great humourist Flann O’Brien managed a masterly comic twist even in death. With supreme theatrical timing, he passed away on April Fool’s Day.

Despite Flann’s gallant effort, All Fool’s Day is one of the few annual festivals with zero Irish input. St Patrick’s Day is mostly Irish even though our patron saint was probably a Roman living in Scotland; Halloween is one hundred per cent Celtic; St Valentine’s mortal remains reside in Dublin; Christmas boasts many Celtic traditions (the tree, holly, mistletoe, candles); if the Celtic bishops had held sway at the Synod of Whitby in 664AD, Easter would have had significant Irish input; and of course St Edeltraud the Bald, who originated the idea for Mothering Sunday, was from Spellickanee in Co Louth.

The one festival, however, which is totally Irish-free event is the Festival of Fools.

‘The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year,’ said Mark Twain, but the day’s origins remain unclear. Pope Gregory XIII is often held responsible. When he restructured the calendar in 1582 by papal bull, New Year’s Day was moved. However, die-hard conservatives in France resisted the change and continued to celebrate the New Year from March 25 to April 1. The more flexible French mocked the rigid revellers by sending them foolish gifts and invitations to nonexistent parties.

It’s likely April Fool’s Day evolved independently in celebration of the spring equinox. Everywhere from Mexico to India, outbreaks of idiocy occur, sometimes with religious aspect attached.

But of Celtic influence, there seems to be little trace. We must content ourselves with St Patrick’s Day, St Valentine’s Day, Christmas Day and Halloween.

But not Mother’s Day. I made that one up. April Fool...