A cursory look at Irish culture bears testimony to its long history. This culture is mirrored in the warm hospitality, sumptuous traditional dishes, vibrant music and dance and breath-taking scenic landscapes. Whether savoring a hearty Irish breakfast, gulping the widely popular Guiness beer in a pub, interacting with local artists or simply gazing at magnificent castles, one will definitely imbibe Ireland’s rich culture.
The people of Ireland lead a very modest and closely-knit family life. It is common for Irish families to take care of their elderly relatives.
Irish people are known for their hospitality. Kindness to strangers and the needy are typical Irish traits. Friendship is an integral part of Irish culture. Loyalty to family and friends are highly cherished.
The Irish revel in sports and recreation. Hurling or camogie, similar to hockey and lacrosse is a distinctly Irish sport. Another traditional sport is Gaelic football. Horesebreeding and equestrian are popular throughout the country. Show jumping and horse racing specifically the Irish Derby and the Irish Grand National attract worldwide audience. Fishing and golfing are also favorite pastimes what with Ireland’s lakes and rivers abounding with salmon and trout. There are also hundreds of beautifully landscaped golf courses.
Of course, when speaking of recreation, pubs are tops on the list. The pub lies at the heart of Irish cultural, social and musical life. The Irish love to meet friends and family in pubs where they drink, chat, sing, listen to poetry reading, tap their feet to traditional music, feast on good food or simply enjoy the buoyant atmosphere and while away time.
There are three levels of education in Ireland: primary, second level (high school) and third level. Most schools are run by the Catholic Church which plays a pivotal role in the education of Irish children. Children begin school at the age of six. School attendance is compulsory until the age of fifteen. Ireland has four universities namely the University of Dublin (Trinity College), Dublin City University, the University of Limerick and the National University of Ireland which has campuses in Dublin, Galway, Cork and Maynooth.
Ireland has two official languages – English and Irish Gaelic simply referred to as Irish. Irish is the national language and English the second official language.
Although Irish society has challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, 95% of the population is Roman Catholic. Catholicism still remains an important part of contemporary Irish identity. The Catholic Church maintains considerable influence in social, cultural and educational affairs. Famous religious sites in Ireland attract thousands of visitors every year such as the Croagh Patrick and the Saint Patrick Cathedral.
The Irish celebrate holidays replete with customs and traditions. Ireland’s national holiday is Saint Patrick’s Day which has become a special occasion not only for locals but also for the thousands of Irish descent throughout the world. Parades are held and bands from around the globe travel to Ireland to participate in the festivities.
Easter Sunday is celebrated with church services followed by festive meals. It is customary to light bonfires on Midsummer Eve. Halloween is associated with samhair where people go outdoors disguised in masks and costumes to evade evil spirits. Christmas celebrations include family dinners and gift-giving. Lighting of candle on a windowsill to welcome Mary, Joseph and Jesus is a traditional Irish custom. The day after Christmas is Saint Stephen’s Day. According to legend, Saint Stephen was in hiding from his persecutors when a wren betrayed him. Traditionally, boys dressed in costumes go to homes asking for money to “bury the wren”. As a fitting climax to the Christmas season, families celebrate Epiphany on January 6. On this day, locals bake special cookies and light twelve candles to honor the twelve apostles.
Ireland is one of Europe’s top culinary destinations. Eating the Irish way would basically include dishes with meat, potatoes and vegetables such as onions and cabbages. Potatoes are a staple in an Irish meal. They are used to make boxty (a type of potato pancake), colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale or scallions), and poitin (an alcoholic drink made from distilled potatoes). And who has not heard of the Irish stew (mutton and lamb cooked with potatoes, onions and other vegetables)? Fresh seafood such as salmon, trout and other fishes are locally caught and prepared fresh. The Irish also produce exceptional dairy products including cottage cheese and Irish cheddar. Beer is a familiar beverage. The most popular of which is Guiness. The Irish also drink tea any time of the day.
The Irish love traditions and two of the most enduring and internationally acclaimed are the Irish traditional music and Irish dancing. Traditional music can be heard from pubs to rural festivals. The bodhran (similar to a hand-held drum) is one of the most popular instruments along with the fiddle, the tin whistle, the Celtic harp and the accordion. The musical Riverdance which combines Irish song, dance and music has made Irish step dancing and fiddle playing famous worldwide. U2, the Cranberries, the Corrs are some of the popular Irish musical groups.
Ireland has produced great literary works. Jonathan Swift, a priest at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, wrote the magnificent satire Gulliver’s Travels. Some of the world’s best playwrights, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw as well as Nobel prize winning poet William Butler Yeats and novelist extraordinaire James Joyce hail from Ireland.