A Look at Irish Culture

Thinking about Ireland and Irish culture, a few things that people instantly picture are leprechauns, Saint Patrick’s Day, and shamrocks. However, the Irish culture is much richer than those things and has an extraordinary history.

Ireland is also known as Emerald Isle because of the greenery and scenic beauty of the land. Although the people of Ireland have made a lot of progress in the past few decades, they have preserved their culture and traditions. Their culture reflects in their music, literature, and even sports.

If you want to learn more about your Irish roots and study Irish culture, this blog is for you. Read on to learn more about your Irish heritage.

Ireland’s History

Ireland is known to be home to foragers over 12 thousand years ago before the Gaels and Celts overtook it. The Celts arrived in Ireland in 500 BC, and the Vikings invaded the land in the 12^th century. In the 16^th century, Ireland was colonised by the English.

Millions of Irish people migrated and fled to the US and other countries after the conflict of the potato blight era in the 1840s. The Irish took their traditions and practices along.

Shortly after the famine, Ireland was separated from Great Britain and became the Irish Republic in 1921.

All these conflicts, tragedies, and turmoil in the land exposed Irish people to different cultures and influences. This resulted in them adapting different things and practices from others, making their culture vibrant.

Irish Music and Literature

Ireland is rich in traditions and literature. Their literature consists of folklore, myths, fables, and sayings reflecting Irish culture and history. Irish music also reflects the Irish traditions, poetry, and rhymes from the past. Their music consists of ballads, dancing or love songs, songs about drinking, and other myths and stories.

Some common Irish music instruments used to date are harps, uilleann pipes, framed drums, fiddles, horns, and bodhrán.

Ireland and Religion

Known as the ‘The Land of Saints and Scholars’, Ireland has had strong religious affiliations from the very beginning. Before the English colonised Ireland and brought Christianity, Irish people used to follow the druidic religion brought by the Celts.

After the arrival of St. Patrick, a missionary in Ireland in AD 432, Christianity became the religion of the Irish people. This also affected the culture and traditions of Ireland.

Holidays Observed in Ireland

Religion and culture play a major role in the celebratory and festive events observed by the Irish. Here are a few holidays observed in Ireland:

• 1–2 February: St. Brigid’s Day
• 17^thMarch: St. Patrick’s Day
• 30th April–1^st May: Beltane
• 16th June: Bloomsday
• 31^stOctober: Samhain
• 25^thDecember: Christmas

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