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
Have you ever thought of trying to learn the Irish language? I know that many of our readers and Green Room members often wish to learn a few words of Irish before visiting this island. And learning some words of Irish is the subject of today’s letter.
Céad Míle Fáilte and welcome to your Letter from Ireland. I’m writing this letter on the day most associated with Ireland and the Irish all over the world – March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day.
Today we’re going to chat about a staple of the Irish diet and the impact this food had on Irish culture and history – the humble Irish potato.
Now, you might think it would be wonderful to have a surname that enters into the English language based on your deeds and is used by millions of people. Then again, your name might be Captain Charles Boycott. I think you might see where this is going!
Do you have an Irish “Colleen” in your family tree? How about an “Erin” or a “Kelly” – or maybe a “Kerry”?
Irish Culture & Customs Podcasts
Here in Ireland we are getting ready to fill in the population census for 2022. We use this opportunity to chat about the census down through the years and it’s usefulness to genealogists and family historians. Carina also reads a letter all about an unusual question that the population were asked before the 1911 census…
This is a musical episode (with a running commentary) of the Letter from Ireland show. Over 10 tracks, Mike takes you through an Irish musical journey that shaped his growing awareness and appreciation of the Irish music that surrounded him. As he plays the tracks, he chats about Irish history, surname, culture and much more.…
In this special episode we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! The parades and celebrations are returning in Ireland after a 2 year absence. Along with some very appropriate music, we chat about the first and sur-names that have come into being in honour of the Saint. We then go on to ask you “what do you…
Today we visit the beautiful islands off the west coast of Ireland. For many centuries, these islands grew in population as the natives of Ireland were forced off good land on the mainland wandering even further westwards until they arrived at the sea. The islands offshore were the only option left. The islanders had an…
Today we take to the streets of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. Edinburgh was the home to Seán Connery, the actor who played James Bond for many years. We also examine another native of Edinburgh – Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the immortal detective Sherlock Holmes. We chat about their Irish roots –…