Ivy Day (Irish: Lá an Eidhneáin) was formerly observed on October 6 in Ireland, in memory of the prominent nationalist politician Charles Stewart Parnell (June 27, 1846 – October 6, 1891). James Joyce's short story, "Ivy Day in the Committee Room", features several Irish politicians who fail to live up to Parnell's memory. A small ceremony still takes place at Parnell's graveside in Glasnevin Cemetery on the Sunday nearest 6 October. It is attended by a small number of devotees of Parnell and a brief oration is delivered in his honour (at midday).
Ivy Day may also refer to an academic ceremony at older colleges (such as Bates College and Smith College) in the Northeastern United States where a class may have a procession, plant ivy and unveil an ivy stone.[1][2]