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
Here is a Family History revolving around an Irish Pub. There is a lot of literature on the plight of the people who had to leave Ireland for various reasons, and not as much on the peoples who migrated to Ireland. In this letter, we will focus on one town in Cork, and look at the names and histories of the different groups that settled there.
If you’re interested in how your Irish surnames came about – and the strands of Irish story and heritage wrapped up in them, well then – you’ve come to the right place. I’m having a cup of Barry’s tea as we start today’s letter – I do hope you’ll join me now with a cup…
Over the past weeks on this Letter, I’ve mentioned specific family surnames that were associated with old Celtic professions. Among the names mentioned we had “Ward” and “Shields”, both old Irish Bardic surnames in days gone by. These Bards underwent seven years of intensive training – and were in great demand from the Irish Chieftains…
It’s been a very interesting week in this part of the world – the Easter 1916 Rising commemoration has been taking place right through the week, with some great events around the country. Although 100 years does seem like a long time, admittedly – more than a lifetime for most of us – it’s not…
Let’s jump back to a time 22 years ago – the place was Dublin City, and the event was the “Eurovision song contest”. The Eurovision song contest is one of those “love it or hate it” institutions here in Ireland. Each year, a song is entered from each country in Europe (that’s quite a few…
Irish Culture & Customs Podcasts
Discover eight standout Irish male singers in today’s episode. Did we miss any of your favourites? Tune in and be swept away by Ireland’s melodic charm!
This episode spotlights two Irish families from Bantry, West Cork: Francis O’Neill, who preserved Irish music in Chicago, and the Keohanes, ancestors of Broadway composer George M. Cohan.
Join us as we toast to the birthday of the Letter from Ireland, celebrating a decade of connecting with 60,000+ global Irish descendants through our letters and podcasts – thank you for being part of our journey!
Listen to the origins of the iconic Steeplechase in Irish racing history and unravel the surprising Irish roots of the famed ‘British Racing Green’ in a thrilling 1903 motorcar race
Listen to the story of Viking-era water sources, the Franciscans’ art of brewing Irish beer, and the captivating tale of alcohol, social chaos, and the rise of the Irish temperance movement!