Irish Culture & Customs Resources

In this section I share articles on Irish music, dancing, poetry, writing, story-telling and history. Many of the topics that we consider to be quite unique in our shared Irish heritage.

 

Browse the features listed on this page and jump to one that interests you, or enter a placename, surname or other item in the search box below to see related letters and podcasts.

Irish Culture & Customs Letters

The Choctaw Nation and Ireland

Nowadays, we’re used to seeing famine and war reported on the TV – the images helping us to understand the real misery of some people in unlucky or unfortunate parts of the world. However, our story today goes back to a time before such pictures were available to people, most times the reports never moved…

An Irish Dracula.

The clocks went back here in Ireland last night – so we are now officially heading into the winter months. Next week sees the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced Sow-en – Sow as in pig) – more commonly called Halloween these days. Where’s the year going? It’s still good and settled at the moment –…

Have you heard of The Irish Banshee?

We coming to the end of Autumn here, but Halloween is just around the corner. The festival of Halloween has been known as “Samhain” (pronounced Sow-en) for many centuries in the Celtic world. It marked the time to bring the animals down from higher pastures. We entered into the darker half of the year –…

The Music of Chief O’Neill

As I write, I can hear the Autumn winds giving the trees their first real shake of the season. An “Indian” summer may be ahead of us, but there is no sight of it at the moment! How is the weather behaving in your own part of the world today? An Irish Warrior Name. Do…

The Life, Plays and Wisdom of George Bernard Shaw

In a recent letter from Ireland, we chatted about our recent visit to the city of Armagh – but also about the marching bands of the Orange order who spring into action this time of year. That prompted many shared stories in reply – lots of memories and opinions! Well, today we will hang on…

Irish Culture & Customs Podcasts

Patrickswell, County Limerick, Ireland with Carina

The Holy Wells of Ireland – Stories, Traditions and Cures! (#813)

We visit one of the many, many Holy Wells around Ireland and chat with the lady whose family is responsible for the upkeep of this ancient Irish shrine. This is probably a place that was used and venerated from pre-christian times. In the show we share lots of tales, cures and tradtions that many of…

Looking down the long room in Trinity College University library, Dublin.

Irish Books – TOP 10 As Chosen By Readers

This is a list of popular books that are mentioned many times in our Green Room Book Club. 

The books listed cover the topics of Irish history, The famine, colourful country life, letters, Irish cooking, fictional genealogy, murder mysteries and Celtic spirituality. Something for everyone!

View of Little Skellig from Skellig Michael across the water.

From Carnivale to An Irish Easter (#808)

In this week’s episode we look a little closer at how our Irish ancestors lived and worked through the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday each year. This was a time known as “Lent”. It was treated very seriously by the Roman Catholic church – who were very specific in their directions to the…

Traditional Irish Love Songs – 8 Favourites (#807)

In this week’s episode share what we consider to be eight of the best traditional Irish love songs of all time! This is, of course, a very personal and subjective collection – and I’m sure you will agree with some and disagree with many. I have used the input of many of our readers and…

Come into This World of Celtic Music (#801)

In this episode we explore not just the world of Irish music – but 10 tracks from the extended Celtic family. We use music featured on the TV programme – “The Transatlantic Sessions” – to bring you music and song from Ireland, Scotland, the USA and much more. With lots of chat between each song.…