Northern Ireland holidays and traditions

The first settlers on this island appeared more than 9 thousand years ago, but the modern culture of Ireland was formed under the influence of the tribes who lived here for 2 thousand years BC. The stone monuments they built are still well preserved in some parts of the island.

The distinctive culture of Ireland

An important role in the formation of Irish culture was played by the tribes of the Celts, who seized these territories in the 3rd century. BC. - they brought language and writing to the traditions of this country. And then culture of Irelandformed over the centuries and tempered by history ... Ireland a mysterious country in itself, and many see it mostly as a country of the Celts ...

Religion in Ireland

The Irish religion has historically played an important role in the life of society - today it is traditionally the main religion of Ireland - This is the Catholicism of the Latin rite. Conversion to the Christian faith became an important element in the formation of the country's religion. Saint Patrick became a revered saint in the country - he preached a new religion and many cathedrals in the country are dedicated to him.

Economy of Ireland

The country's economic system is a modern, relatively small and trade-dependent economy. There are two currencies in use in Ireland: the official currency is the euro and the local currency of the Nordic regions is the pound sterling. Economy of Ireland shows growth for 1995-2000. on average by 10%. You can add interest here, the growth of which is promoted by ireland tourism.

Science of Ireland

The Royal Irish Academy is the country's leading academic institution. Due to his work, scientific research in all fields of knowledge is almost entirely funded. Science of Ireland partially supported in some areas and by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Study.

Art of Ireland

Among the earliest monuments of art in this country are ornaments found in the Neolithic era such as Newgrange. This is followed by the art of the Bronze Age - gold jewelry, book miniatures and architecture. Art of Ireland practically became part of the British during the reign of the invaders, but not itself culture... Later, after the national revival, the traditions of Irish art began to develop.

Irish cuisine

The basis of the national Irish cuisine is made up of rather simple but delicious dishes. Due to the country's favorable climate, local livestock feeds on lush grass almost all year round, therefore irish cuisine based on natural ingredients - meat and dairy products.

Irish customs and traditions

This country of Ireland is rich in its customs and folk traditions, this is not surprising - the local people are trying with all their might to preserve it. One of the striking examples can be considered the Irish Fairs - a cheerful and noisy holiday with Irish national dances, music, songs and tricks. Irish customs and traditions, as in other countries, they assume the presence of the most important holiday of the year - they have St. Patrick's Day.

Sports of Ireland

Many different sports are cultivated in Ireland. Sports in Ireland is quite widespread - it is very popular among the population, it is actively engaged in it and participates in various kinds of competitions.

Strange Irish traditions TOP-10

The strange and funny traditions of the red-haired Irish have become popular all over the world. Take clover, for example, which is supposed to bring good luck. We have heard about this tradition far beyond the borders of Ireland !!! Irish culture, whose history dates back to 8000 BC, found itself immersed in a host of mystic superstitions and various quirks.

And by the way, if you dig deeper into history, then many historians believe that the homeland of the red Celts is between the Dnieper and Danube. Scientists believe that the Celts from Ireland are descended from farmers and pastoralists from the Black Sea region.
4000 years ago, the main characteristics of the “insular” (different from the Gaulish) genome of the Celts and the Irish people were formed. And the ethnic basis of the Irish nation is made up of the Celtic tribes of the Helium, which for several centuries came to Ireland from the Black Sea region.

And yet, back to the strange Irish traditions.

Top 10 strange Irish traditions:

1. Birthday upside down!

An old Irish tradition that is still popular today. She encourages the practice of lifting the child upside down. You need to hold the child by his legs, make a couple of gentle blows with his head on the floor. It is stated that the number of blows he receives should be appropriate for the age he is at plus one. This is meant to wish you a happy next year. Approximately as we pull by the ears of birthday people.

In addition to being quite unusual, it becomes clear why this practice loses its strength after the end of childhood adolescence. Could you imagine an adult being turned over and hitting his head on the floor?

1. Borrowed days
   In addition, another tradition or belief that is closely associated with the Irish is the "Borrowed Days". The first three days of April are called such, because of the old legend, where a mythical cow walked in March, and no one wanted to milk her (according to another version, kill her). As expected, this angered Mart, forcing him to take three days of dire weather around April to finish off this scornful cow. In fact, it is a history of bad weather that often attacks the first three days of April across Ireland. Below is a stanza from a traditional Irish ballad in which March pleaded with April for a 3-day loan:

   Statue of Saint Brigida - City of Kildare.

The first one was windy and wet,
The second one was snow and sleet,
The third of them was such a frost,
That the birds left their claws in the trees.

3. Saint Brigid - divorce without ceremony

The Feast of Saint Brigitte came to us from pre-Christian times and was known during pagan times as "Imbolc". Translated from the Old Irish "Imbolc".

Another Irish tradition is just connected with the holiday of the main female saint of Ireland - St. Brigid. She is often considered the second after St. Patrick. Her holiday falls on February 1 of each year, which coincides with the traditional beginning of spring and Imbolg, an ancient pagan feast. A tradition that lasted until the 1920s. It consisted of the couples getting married legally that day in Teltown, County Meath, just by going to meet each other. And if the marriage failed, all they would have to do to legally dissolve the marriage was to leave each other in the exact location on the same day the next year. This custom stems from the old Bregon laws in Ireland, which allow for temporary marriage contracts.

And what a very interesting tradition.

1. To a wedding without an invitation.
   Another Irish tradition is to come to a wedding without an invitation. It is considered perfectly acceptable for young male offenders to come to the wedding uninvited, with special straw hats masking their identity. Called "straw boys", these young men in masks made of straw and sometimes even long coats made of straw often seek weddings, harass free women and (what a nightmare - ed. Site) dance with them! After completing their strange little jig, the straw boys then disappear as quickly as they appeared, so as not to be identified. Until the next wedding. What's interesting about this tradition, in addition to the creative use of straw, is that it has managed to survive and thrive in modern Ireland - especially in the western regions of Ireland, where the tradition originated.

1. "Girls' night out" - "party for girls"

The traditional "girls' party" in Ireland is still popular, albeit to a lesser and lesser extent.
“Nollaig na mBan” or “Little Women’s Christmas” or “Little Women's Christmas” is an old custom still celebrated by women across Ireland. This dates back to the days when large families were the norm in Ireland. Men had never done housework in Ireland at that time. For example, if a man washed the dishes, he would be called an "old woman" in front of other men. No real Irish would want to take this risk!

But every year, after the Christmas holidays, tired women finally get a break - at least for one day. On January 6 (the same day as Epiphany), the men were busy with the housework, offering women the opportunity to rest with each other. Most often, women went to the nearest pubs, where they drank and ate for their own pleasure.

1. Day of the dead crow

One would think that St. Stephen's Day, December 26, is a day on which you can sleep peacefully, having a rest after Christmas, looking at gifts and finishing off the remains of the Christmas turkey. But, just not in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland. This is a fairly quiet town during the summer months, it is filled with tourists in the winter. And all because of the dead crow. On this day, people here wake up early, and by 6 am the streets are full of people in fancy dress made of straw. They walk around the city waving banners to announce the Day of Wronon (pronounced "wran"). This is done to the accompaniment of traditional Irish music. On Raven Day, no one sleeps in the city from morning to morning. The popularity of the Raven Day celebration declined dramatically in the early 1990s. But in the past few years, young people in Dingle have breathed a new lease of life into this tradition.
This Day was once practiced throughout Ireland. Groups of mummers and dancers went door to door, or pub to pub, collecting money or food. On a branch of a tree decorated with ribbons, they hung a dead crow.
If donations were not given in the house, then there was a danger that a dead crow would be thrown into your house or under your doorstep in order to bring misfortune for the next 12 months. Therefore, most often the dead bird was buried at the end of the day of the celebration, throwing a few coins to it (the rest of the collected money went to buy booze).

This bird was chosen as a victim because of the belief that this bird had betrayed a group of Irish soldiers. She sat down on the drum and tapped on it with her beak as they approached a unit of Cromwell's army. Warned of the approach of the enemy, Cromwell's men killed all the Irish. For this, the bird must always be punished, according to the Irish. Fortunately, nowadays, instead of a real bird, an imitation of a dead bird is used.
This once very widespread custom has almost disappeared in Ireland, with the exception of the city of Dingle, where an entire day is dedicated to its celebration.

1. Heather Sunday.

This is an almost forgotten tradition in Ireland. Today in Ireland, few people already remember what heather looks like. And how to collect it.

Heather Sunday is a charming old festival that lives only in the distant memory of Ireland. Celebrated in the middle of summer, it was one day when people would go to the hills and peatlands in groups to collect heather and sometimes to find a spouse.

Heather are tiny, intense blue berries similar to blueberries, although they are about twice as large. They grow in acidic soils, have a sweet and sour taste, and when you bite through them, they are yellow inside.

Collecting the heather was so difficult that it took an entire day. Therefore, among young men and women who spend long hours picking berries together, Heather Sunday has become known as courtship time. It is said that many guys met their wife on this very day. Now, most Irish people, unfortunately, do not even know that heather exists here.

1. Pub etiquette

The Irish are very, very fond of pubs. They even have their own Pub etiquette. The decisive factor here is the “round” system, in which each participant pays for the order in turn. To an outsider, this may seem random. You are not necessarily told that it is your turn to pay, and you will even feel that other participants in the booze may seem too happy to replace you. But make no mistake, your refusal to "put your hand in your pocket" will be noticed. People will remain silent, but they will mention it the moment you leave the pub. The reputation will follow you to the grave, after which it will be attached to your offspring and possibly their offspring too. In some cases, it may even become a permanent family nickname. Therefore, Irish pubs are always settled.

1. The weather in Ireland is the ultimate triumph of optimism over experience !!!

It is often said that the Irish are the people of the Sun. Therefore, they only come to their senses when the sun shines for several consecutive days (which was the last time in Ireland, back in the time of St. Patrick). For the same reason, the Irish for some reason always dress for the conditions in Palermo (Italy), and not for the weather in Dublin. So it is not unusual to see people in shorts in March drinking cool beer on the summer grounds of pubs and cafes, enjoying the air and the soft caress of rain or hail on their face. The Irish attitude to the weather is the ultimate triumph of optimism over experience: every time it rains, they stare up at the sky in surprise.

1. St.Patrick 's Day.

Of course, the most famous Irish holiday is St. Patrick's Day. March 17 is a holiday not only for the Irish saint, but also for the Irish soul. This holiday has grown beyond national boundaries and has become a kind of international day for Ireland. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in different cities of the world - in New York, Buenos Aires, Melbourne. Flamboyant processions, parades and festivities of people dressed in green (the national color of Ireland) are visible everywhere the Irish live. A clover, a symbol of Ireland and good luck, is put into the buttonhole on this day.

Traditionally, St. Patrick's Day parades are held. This tradition is believed to have originated in Ireland. New York and Boston in the US contested the palm. New Yorkers claim that the first parade took place in 1762 in their city. Then Ireland was under the rule of the British, and it is quite possible that the inhabitants of the rebellious North American colonies thus expressed their solidarity with them.

Such Irish traditions, in all their strangeness, indicate an amusing, albeit sometimes slightly unusual, attitude of the general Irish population. You know that as long as you are surrounded by such positive people, there will definitely be good times, especially in Ireland.

Ireland has 4.8 million inhabitants. Despite their small number, the Irish have left a noticeable mark on world culture and science, and to this day they are one of the most enlightened nations.

The Irish character is not traditionally European. They are open and friendly, they do everything on a grand scale, they love noisy feasts. These people will treat the first person they meet as their friend: they will give directions, ask about plans, and at the same time tell a funny story. Friendliness, responsiveness and a great sense of humor are their main national traits. Not for nothing in 2010. Lonely Planet has named Ireland the friendliest country in the world!

Ireland population

The indigenous population of Ireland comes from the Celtic Gael tribes who migrated here in the 5th century BC. In the 8th century, the Vikings came to the kingdom, who founded cities here (including Dublin) and had a huge impact on the formation of the nation. The Irish are distinguished by red hair, blue eyes, tall stature and a dense physique. And in their character traits of warlike ancestors can be traced: straightforwardness, perseverance and independence.

Today Ireland is a multinational state, which is based on Irish people (90%). More than 40 other nationalities include British (2.7%), immigrants from the EU (about 4%) and emigrants from Asia and Africa.

Most of the inhabitants are Roman Catholics. National languages \u200b\u200b- English and Irish, the study of which is paid attention at the state level.

Culture and life of the peoples of Ireland.

Irish literature is considered the third oldest in Europe (after Greek and Roman). Its founder is Saint Patrick, who wrote Confessions in Latin. Three Irishmen received the Nobel Prize for Literature. The people of this country love to read books, and many write poems and publish them in local magazines.

Among the architectural monuments are Irish dolmens (ancient stone structures), old fortresses, buildings in the Gothic style (Cathedral of Christ in Dublin) and classical manors from the time of the English domination. Commoners lived in alumina or stone one-story houses with a hearth that was considered the "heart of the house." Songs and folk tales were dedicated to him. Modern Irish people prefer to live in brick houses without any special frills. The only decoration is bright multi-colored doors, which are the hallmark of Ireland.

The main highlight of Irish culture is folk music and dance. Irish "solo dances" with energetic leg movements are known all over the world. In Ireland itself, dance shows are so popular that you can watch them in regular pubs and drink a glass of beer here.

Traditions and customs of the peoples of Ireland.

This country is very fond of holding noisy fairs with musical performances and sports competitions. Here you can also have a tasty and satisfying meal. Irish cuisine is simple in a folk way: potato stew, pickled herring, colcannion (a dish of cabbage and potatoes). It is customary to wash it down with beer or the famous Irish whiskey.

On New Year's Eve, the Irish do not close the doors of their houses so that anyone can come to visit them.

The main public holiday is St. Patrick's Day (March 17). The arrival of spring is met with parades and carnivals. The Irish wear green robes, Leprechaun hats and adorn themselves with shamrock leaves. Even the beer turns green that day. An atmosphere of cordiality and general fun reigns in every city.

Celtic origin. About 94% of the population is Irish. Among the national minorities are the British, Scots and Jews. Also, immigrants from different countries of the European Union (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania), from China, Russia, Ukraine and other countries live in the country.

The majority of the believing population are Christians (96%). These are mainly Catholics (93%) and Protestants (3%).

Tongue

The official languages \u200b\u200bof the country are Irish and English. In communication, English is more often used. Irish (Gaelic) language belongs to the Celtic branch of the Indo-European family. At the moment, the Irish government is doing a lot to support and popularize this language among the population.

National traits

Irish people are distinguished by their friendliness and politeness. The locals show a healthy curiosity towards foreigners; as a rule, they are wary of the British. National character Irish people are distinguished by their attentiveness and desire to help.

Rules of conduct for tourists

Gestures and facial expressions

• To greet both acquaintances and strangers, the Irish raise their index finger up, nod their heads, and shake hands.
• In tactile contacts the Irish should be moderate. Hugs between men are not accepted in the country. But sometimes it is appropriate, for example, at a football match.

Behavior in public places

• Smoking is prohibited in the premises of Irish restaurants, bars, hotels, cinemas.
• According to tradition, visitors to the bar seek to buy a drink not only for themselves, but also to treat others.
• On a birthday, it is customary for friends to treat the birthday person with a drink, and not vice versa.
• Punctuality will be appreciated by the Irish.
• Business communication often takes the form of a long lunch.
• In a taxi, it is customary to sit in the front seat.

Gifts

Candy and flowers are considered acceptable gifts. Sending flowers the day after the meeting as a token of gratitude is considered good practice.

Topics of conversation

• Recommended Topics:sports, hobbies, politics, family. In conversation, you can use the word "grand" ("good") to please the Irish.
• Not Recommended Topics: religion, feminism, relations with Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

clothing

The dress code is common. Dark suits are recommended for business meetings. From accessories to Ireland it is recommended to take an umbrella with you.

National Holidays, Memorials and Festivals in Ireland

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day and Irish Independence Day. A great holiday for the Irish. On this day, you can watch musical performances and taste national cuisine.

Last Friday before Easter - Holy Friday

First Monday in May - Easter Monday

First Monday in June - June holiday

First Monday in August - August holiday

Last Monday in October - October holiday

Often the celebrations of pagan and Christian holidays coincide.

Among the Irish festivals the most popular are the Galway Oyster Festival (September), the Galway Jazz Festival (February in Galway, October in the County Cork), Dublin International Film Festival, Writers' Week Literary Festival in County Kerry (June), in August you can visit horse shows and horse races, Folk Festival, a folklore festival in Belfast (September), Irish Gourmet Festival in County Cork (October) and many others.

- this is a special place ... beautiful, with a rich history. It has also become home to talented writers like Oscar Wilde. Ireland has contributed greatly to the development of literature and traditional folk music along with the beautiful movements of Irish dance that reflect the rich culture of this beautiful country. Set in lush and verdant plains, Irish castles speak of the rich history of this glorious place. This article will take you on a journey through Ireland and introduce you to its culture and traditions, some of which have already been forgotten, and some still exist today.
Irish culture has only a few divisions between people of different religions and languages. Therefore, today more and more immigrants arrive in this place.

Lifestyle
The people of Ireland are known to be very hospitable and friendly. Family in Ireland is very important. The traditions of Irish culture can be seen in Irish villages. A huge number of traditions are followed here, which are in great contrast to the modern life of Irish cities. There are also many people in Ireland who live in luxury mansions.
Modern Irish people are used to communicating with each other more openly. They find it better to talk about their feelings than to contain them.
English is still the main language in Ireland. Although the national dialect can be heard in many villages. Irish originated from the Celts, so some older Irish people can also speak traditional Irish.
The houses here are still being built according to the old traditions and style. Bright, cheerful colors can be seen on the walls of most houses with colorful doors. Moreover, in Ireland most often these are houses with a terrace, central heating has replaced traditional fireplaces here.

Activities and industries
Farming has been in Irish culture for a very long time. In the old days, keeping livestock gave the Irish a distinctly high status. In the past, men did all the main work on the farm. Women usually only sold the products they received. However, today a woman is also actively involved in farming. In Ireland, agriculture has always been the main activity. The products were imported in large quantities all over the world. Irish farmers are known to use the old farming methods to this day. Some of the most important products in Ireland are meat, milk, barley, turnips, wheat, etc. Ireland's industry is also thriving in textiles, pharmaceuticals and even fisheries.

Religion
Despite the fact that there is no official religion in Ireland, particular preference is given to Catholicism. However, you can meet Roman Catholics, Christians, Jews, Presbyterians and even representatives of other religions, for example, Islam.

music and dancing
The Irish are known throughout the world for their love of music and dance. Traditional music still holds a strong priority in the country's music scene, despite the influences of various music from abroad. There are a huge number of bands that play folk music. Famous among musicians was Torla O "Carolan, who composed more than 200 compositions. Celtic music is also part of Irish culture. Irish musicians are becoming famous all over the world, not only in their own country. In the 20th century, sean-nos (an old form of Irish narrative song) The great flutist James Galway distinguished itself in classical Irish music.Classical Irish music was revived only a few years ago, mainly influenced by the division of the island into northern and southern parts.Now Northern Ireland belongs to the United Kingdom, and southern - to the Republic of Ireland.
Irish dance is so beautiful that it can captivate even someone who has absolutely no special love for dancing. Riverdance is a very popular band performing many Irish dances. Tap dance remains popular here to this day. As for the sean-nos dances, the old traditional step and its modern variations, they are very popular all over the world.

Literature and art
Ireland is home to a great many of the best writers of all time. In this beautiful place, 4 winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature (20th century) wrote their masterpieces. Writers such as Oscar Wilde and William Butler have made tremendous contributions to the development of literature. The art of cinema and painting is also an integral part of Irish culture. Irish art is attested to by New Grange carvings and medieval manuscripts.

Food
Honey is often mentioned in tales of ancient Irish culture. As for meat, the Irish prefer poultry. The potato has become an integral part of the diet of the working class in Ireland. Well, today food preferences are shaped by the influence of the whole world. Although meat has always been a staple food in Ireland, fast food has also gained in popularity. New Irish foods are being released in large quantities to support a healthy diet among the Irish, mainly fresh vegetables.
While traditional Irish culture is less prominent today due to its pub culture, it can still be seen in different parts of Ireland.

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// 27.10.2009

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