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Irish Culture

It is quite remarkable that Ireland, with a population of about 5 million, and Northern Ireland with a population of 1.9 million, has such a big cultural footprint. 

Irish culture is known and cherished far beyond the boundaries of the little island. 

There is a lot more to Irish culture than Irish Pubs and the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations on 17 March that take place in bigger cities around the world!

The fascinating culture of Ireland is broad and encompasses nearly all aspects of life. It can be said that there is probably something that appeals to everyone! 

Irish people are very proud of their Irish culture, Irish language and Irish traditions. 

Celtic Culture

Trinity Knot or Triquetra
The Trinity Knot or Triquetra is one of the most well known of all Celtic symbols. (Photo: © Walshphots, symbol: © Clker-Free-Vector-Images both via Canva)

Some Irish culture can be traced to back to the ancient Celts. 

Different styles of art evolved as part of Celtic culture. Celtic Insular art (also known as Hiberno-Saxon art) is one such style that developed in Ireland and Britain from about the 6th century. It gave rise to many of the Celtic symbols, including Celtic knotwork that we know today. 

Fine examples of Insular artwork include illuminated manuscripts of the Book of Kells and Celtic crosses, such as the high detailed Muiredach’s High Cross

Irish Myths and Legends

Swan in water
The Children of Lir tale involving four children being transformed into swans for 900 hundred years is one of the best known of all Irish legends. (Photos © complex via Canva)

The influence of the Celts can also be seen in many Irish myths and legends. Tales of the great gods and goddesses of Irish Celtic culture and their battles, revenges and affairs certainly make for interesting reading!

From a young age, the children in Ireland are told the beloved Irish legends, of the Children of Lir and the Salmon of Knowledge

Irish Literature

Ireland has a history of great writers. From left to right: The statues of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw in Dublin. (Photos © Letsgoireland.com)

Ireland is known for having good storytellers, including four Nobel laureates in literature:

  • W. B. Yeats (1923)
  • George Bernard Shaw (1925)
  • Samuel Beckett (1969) 
  • Seamus Heaney (1995)

The list of other well-known Irish writers could go on and on, but here are some other prominent names; Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift, Meave Binchy and Cecelia Ahern

Ireland’s homegrown talent certainly has a prominent position on the world stage and its capital city, Dublin, is a UNESCO City of Literature.

Irish Food and Drink

Irish stew is a popular meal in many Irish households
Irish stew is a popular meal in many Irish households. (Photo © Slawomir Fajer via Shutterstock)

Food and drink are an integral part of Irish culture. Irish stew, soda bread, black pudding (or blood sausage) and salted Irish butter are some of the most savoured Irish foods and are definitely worth a try, if you get the chance!

When it comes to alcoholic drinks, Ireland has plenty to offer. It has a wide range of famous beers, such as black stouts (Guinness), red ales (Galway Hooker), and spirits such as Irish Whiskey (Jameson and Bushmills) and Irish gin (Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin).

Irish Music

Irish Harp
The symbol of the harp has been connected with Ireland for centuries. (Photo: © boris_radivojkov via Canva)

Music has always been an important part of Irish culture and so it is little surprise that Ireland has an incredibly eclectic music scene, from toe tapping Irish traditional music and Irish folk music, to the hugely popular bands of U2, Thin Lizzy and Westlife and the haunting voices of Enya, Sinéad O’Connor and the late Dolores O´Riordan of The Cranberries

Riverdance, a stage production featuring Irish dancing and traditional Irish music and song, became a worldwide phenomenon after its first performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. 

Irish Sport

Equipment for a game of hurling
The essential equipment for a game of hurling. (Photo © Revel Pix LLC via Shutterstock)

For a small nation, Ireland has a thriving sporting culture. It has its own unique sports of  Gaelic football and hurling (for men) or camogie (for women) run by the Gaelic Athletic Association (or GAA).

Rugby is another popular sport and the Six Nations Championship is eagerly followed by many in Ireland. Irish horse racing also attracts large number of both domestic, as well as international spectators to the major annual horse racing events.

Filming Locations

Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher featured in one scene from the film “Harry Potter and the Half – Blood Prince”.  (Photo liseykina via Shutterstock)

The picturesque landscape that possibly inspired many of Ireland’s writers has also become a sought after filming location for several big movies and television series. 

Scenes from Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Green Knight, Game of Thrones and Normal People have recently been filmed in Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

Why not explore some Irish Symbols or What is Ireland known for to get started?