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Traditions, folklore, history and more. If it's Irish, it's here. Or will be!
"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors."
-Edmund Burke
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Fáilte
Welcome to Irish Culture and Customs a labor of love we began several years ago. What started as a surprise milestone birthday trip to Ireland became the beginning of a journey through time. A 2,000-year voyage on a quest to learn as much as we can about everything Irish. So here's where we are so far - more than 700 pages that range from Irish poetry, superstitions , Kids Stories and recipes to specific Irish calendar celebrations such as St. Patrick's Day , Beltane, Samhain and the Feast of St. Brigid. Whether it's an Irish symbol such as the shillelagh, the Shamrock and the Book of Kells or an Irish craft like Aran Isle knitting, you'll discover a wide range of topics in our index. We hope you find the little bit of Ireland you may be looking for and we encourage you to share what you discover with your loved ones on your family website, blog, or social network.
The Rose of Tralee
How The Ballad Came To Be
One of Ireland's most popular songs was written by William Pembroke Mulchinock who fell in love with one Mary O'Connor, a maid in service to his parents. Fact or fiction, the following account, which was compiled from various sources, tells of an unrequited romance between a wealthy Protestant lad and a poor Catholic colleen.
At 17, Mary was a dark-haired beauty with large, lustrous eyes. When William's sister took him to see her children in the nursery, he saw Mary for the first time - and was totally smitten. From then on, he sought out every opportunity to be with her and eventually, they fell in love. She was especially taken by the lovely poem he had written, just for her:
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A Notorious Woman
by Grainne Rowland
In the correspondence between Queen Elizabeth I and her governors in Ireland in the late 1500's, one name was mentioned frequently. That name was Grace O'Malley, whom Sir Henry Sidney called "a notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland".
Grace was born about the year 1530 in Co. Mayo. She was the daughter of a chieftain, Owen O'Malley, and his wife Margaret. Grace had a brother named Donal.
There are several variations of Grace's name. Granuaile probably comes from Grainne Umhaill, or Grace of the Unhalls. This was her father's territory. However, one legend has it that when Grace was a girl, she wanted to go along with her father on one of his trading trips. She was reminded that a seaman's life was not for girls, so she promptly cut off her hair and donned boy's clothing. According to the story, from then on her family called her Grainne Mhael, or Grainne the Bald!
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Good Friday Haircuts and Seaweed for Dinner
by Bridget Haggerty
The name Good Friday is generally believed to be a corruption of God's Friday. In Ireland, since the days of the early church, it has always been dedicated to penance, fasting, and prayer. As might be expected, it was the severest day of Lenten austerity. Most people went beyond even the black fast prescribed by the church. They ate nothing at all until midday and even then, all they took was three mouthfuls of bread and three sips of water - three being in honor of the Holy Trinity.
Little or no work was done on the land, except for the planting of a small quantity of grain or potatoes to invoke a blessing on the crops. The rest of the time was spent making sure the house, yard and out-buildings were clean and tidy.
Within the house, the women and girls loosened their hair and allowed it to hang down as a symbol of mourning. They, and the children, would also go barefoot throughout the day. The men and boys trimmed their finger and toenails and also cut their hair. According to superstition, a haircut on Good Friday would prevent headaches during the coming year.
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Easter Saturday and a Funeral for a Fish
by Bridget Haggerty
Pity the poor butchers in old Ireland during the Lenten season. Not one good Christian soul would buy their beef, or any other kind of meat. The main source of protein for the long days of fasting was herring, because it was cheap and plentiful. But, after eating it so often, people were delighted to see the back of it. So much so, they celebrated with a mock funeral on Easter Saturday.
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Basic Irish: Lent & Easter
This lesson features words and phrases related to giving up favorite foods like chocolate for Lent. Is Easter imminent? Our lesson covers appropriate words and phrases from Palm Sunday to Easter Monday.
Phrase: Good Friday (literally Crucifixion Friday)
Irish: Aoine an Chéasta
Pronunciation: een-neh on khay-sthah
Phrase: Holy Saturday (Easter Saturday)
Irish: Satharn Chásca
Pronunciation: sah-hahrn khaw-skah
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Kids' Ireland: The Nightingale and the Rose
Edited and adapted by Bridget Haggerty from a story by Oscar Wilde.
Oscar Wilde was both unhappy and unlucky in love and this had a great influence on his work. This beautiful story is from his collection of fairy tales for children. But it has such a sad ending that we thought young readers might enjoy it more if it ended on a happier note.
It was winter. The student leaned on his elbows and stared out through the window on a garden that was bereft of flower, leaf or fern.
"She said she would dance with me if I brought her a red rose" cried the student; "but in all my garden there is no red rose."
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Live Music from Mayo
A link to the internet service from Midwest Radio out of Mayo. Broadcasting from their state of the art studios; Midwest Irish Radio plays nothing but the best Irish music. No matter where you are in the world, you are never too far from Ireland when you listen in.
Click here for: Irish Midwest radio.
Shop for the best of Irish products from the comfort of your home
We combed the internet to find reliable resources for the most popular Irish products: Aran Isle sweaters, Guinness glasses, Waterford Crystal, genuine blackthorn walking sticks, the flag of the Republic and more. Some of these shops have become friends; others we trust from their reputations and some offer products that are completely unique. We hope you enjoy browsing through what's on offer and we are confident you will find gifts for any occasion or person, all with an Irish flair.
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Fri, Mar 29, 2024
St Patrick's Cathedral
The National Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St. Patrick is the full official name and, according to tradition, St Patrick baptised several converts at a well in what is now a park adjacent to the cathedral. To commemorate this event, a small wooden church was built. In 1901, the well was rediscovered and an ancient granite stone, marked with a Celtic cross which covered the well, was moved into the cathedral. The parish church on this site was one of four Celtic churches in Dublin and was known as St Patrick's in Insula - on the island - as it was built on an island between two branches of the River Poddle which still flows under the cathedral.
Image: StPatrick's Cathedral.ie
Click for More Culture Corner.
A Sunday Blessing
Good St. Patrick traveled far to teach God's Holy Word.
And when he came to Erin's sod, a wondrous thing occurred.
He plucked a shamrock from the earth and held it in his
hand to symbolize the Trinity that all might understand.
The first leaf for the Father, the second for the Son,
the third for the Spirit, three of them in one.
May the Good Lord always hold you in the palm of His
hand, and may the blessings He sends you be more plentiful than all the shamrocks in Ireland.
The Book
Potion, Pope and Perfidy
by Russ Haggerty
This is my novel. It is largely, but not completely Irish. The detective is Irish. The book was created by an Irish monk and a great deal of the story is in Ireland. I think you'll enjoy it.
DO NOT order through the marketplace. If you do you'll get the first version, which is incomplete. It's available on Amazon here.
The irish Culture and Customs book of Jokes
This is the collection of our Jokes. It was built up over many years and, now, is gathered here for your enjoyment. With this in your hand, whenever the day is dull or dreary you can open it up and have a good laugh, you'll feel better.
Click here for the Book of Jokes.
A Little History of Ireland
by Martin Wallace
This little book may rank as the most concise history of Ireland to date. Nevertheless, it is also a comprehensive and informative account, tracing as it does the entire recorded course of Irish history from the arrival of St Patrick in the fifth century through to independence, partition and the present day.
Click here for A Little History of Ireland.
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“Cahill's lovely prose breathes life into a 1,600-year old history.” The L.A. Times
Click here for Irish Saved Civilisation.
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