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

Are Your Irish Surnames On This Saintly List?

Have you ever had something in your possession that you are minding for future generations? Perhaps a ring, a piece of jewellery a book or a piece of furniture? Here, in Ireland, we often tend to pass down baby christening robes through several generations. Our grandson was recently christened in a robe that was also used by his father and his grandmother – both standing proudly beside him!

Stone circe with blue sky and green grass

How The Celts Celebrated The Start Of Summer

The month of May, or as we call it in Irish “Bealtaine” (pronounced “ba-yowl tanna”) heralds the start of our Irish Summer.

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…

Irish Culture & Customs Podcasts

Rockfleet castle in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

4 Irish Women – Tales of Adversity and Triumph (#107)

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 7 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode, Carina and Mike Collins tell the story of four strong Irish women! – through two different stories and reader letters.

2 Tales about Religion in Ireland (#105)

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 5 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode, Carina and Mike Collins look at Religion in Ireland! But, don’t worry – we’ll bring it to life by taking two stories with two remarkable individuals at the heart of each story. Listen to the Audio. You can listen to the show…

Irish Whiskey – A Drop of the “Water of Life” (#103)

We are delighted to bring you the third episode of The Letter from Ireland Show – a weekly podcast that goes out each Thursday from a cottage in County Cork. Tune in to this episode – and to dive straight in to a bit of Irish caint, ceóil agus craic (conversation, music and craic!). Listen to the Audio.…

Irish Sayings – Is there room for the Irish language in your life? (#102)

We are delighted to bring you the second episode of The Letter from Ireland Show – a weekly podcast that goes out each Thursday from a cottage in County Cork. Tune in to this episode – and to dive straight in to a bit of Irish caint, ceóil agus craic (conversation, music and craic!). Listen to the…

A New Podcast – Welcome to The Letter from Ireland Show (#101)

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 1 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this very first episode, Carina and Mike Collins introduce you to The Letter From Ireland Show. We talk about our own background and Irish family trees to get us all in the mood! We start by “Unpacking” Mikes family tree (just a little) – and then we move on to “unpacking” one side of Carina’s family tree.