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

Green, White and the Orange Order

Have you ever seen the tri-colour flag of the Irish Republic? It has three sections – green, white and orange. It was designed in the mid-1800s, and is meant to signify peace (white) between the republican (green) and unionist (orange) traditions on this island. Just three weeks ago, Carina and myself headed to County Armagh…

The Wine Geese of France

A very important occasion has just occurred here in Ireland  – the first of the early potatoes have just been harvested. They have a taste like no other – and, as you probably realise, it is a vegetable that has special significance in Irish history. I wrote in an earlier letter about the link between…

Ernest Shackleton and the Irish Antarctic Connection.

Carina and myself were settling down in front of the TV last night – and up came the story of one Ernest Shackleton, in this case played by Kenneth Branagh. About 30 minutes into the movie, we are introduced to the Irishman who accompanied Shackleton on his South Pole voyage in 1914 – one Tom…

The Tailor and Ansty – An Irish Storyteller

We were at a funeral/wake yesterday, and is the convention at such occasions in Ireland – a “drop” of Irish Whiskey was poured for the mourners and well-wishers as they entered the house. Have you ever had a “drop” of Irish Whiskey yourself? I just saw a interesting item on the newswire this morning –…

St. Brendan

Saint Brendan’s Voyage

I was inside O’Flynn’s butcher shop yesterday, and something happened to trigger a memory long forgotten – three memories in fact. It seems they’re a bit like busses – they often come in groups of three! The first of those memories brought me all the way back to my early school days in the seaside…

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.…