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

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!

The Irish Shamrock – Does It Best Represent Ireland?

A somewhat contentious question for this week. Does the Irish shamrock best represent Ireland – or is there another contender? This question was on the mind of our guest contributor for this week – Simon O’Flynn, who recently retired from his Butcher’s shop after 68 years in the business. Simon often shares a story or…

St. Patricks Burial Place in graveyard in County Down, Ireland.

St. Patrick – Come Walk in His Irish Footsteps

This week sees the celebration of Saint Patrick’s day here in Ireland and in many places with a strong Irish connection around the world. Maybe you will attend a Saint Patrick’s day parade or celebration in your own part of the world?  I thought it would be fun to take you on a tour today…

A Unique Insight into Our Celtic Past

What do you think of when you hear the word “Celt” or “Celtic”? Maybe you picture druids with flowing robes in a misty setting near a stone circle, or maybe you think of the collective peoples of Ireland, Scotland and Wales? Surprisingly little is known for sure about the roots and origins of the Celts.…

Celtic cross in Irish church graveyard

Would you Follow these Rules for 40 days?

When I was growing up in Ireland as a young Roman Catholic, a number of things were true for the majority of us Roman Catholics at the time: Few of us youngsters paid much attention to the reflections, suggestions and instructions issued within those letters. The pastoral Letters were, in our minds, aimed at the…

Irish Culture & Customs Podcasts

Religion in Ireland – Let’s Take a Different Perspective (#118)

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 18 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode we look at two stories about Irish religion that may surprise you – the first about a religion leaving Cork for North America and the second about a religious community that came to County Limerick.

2 Irish Gentlemen – Tales of Integrity and Principle (#116)

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 16 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode we look at two qualities that are in short supply in the public world today – Integrity and Principle – and the stories of two Irishmen who had those qualities in spades! Why the picture of the puppy? Do read on to find out.

Fake News? – How The Irish Famine was Depicted Overseas (#115)

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 15 of The Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode we go back to the Irish Famine of the mid-1800s and look at ways at which news of the Irish Famine spread throughout the world – leading to reactions from the most surprising of quarters.

Shackleton and St. Brendan – Irish Explorers who Took on The World (#112)

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 12 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode, Carina looks at two stories of Irish explorers who took on the world. They were born centuries apart, but that spirit of adventure comes through in both of these letters. 

A Trip to The Moon – In the Footsteps of 2 Irish Scientists (#109)

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 9 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode, Carina looks at the story of two Irish scientists who made a big impact on the scientific world. One was born in Ireland and left – the other was born in England, but came to Ireland where he is buried.