Irish Culture

Citizens of other nations who want Irish citizenship do not have to renounce their ties to their current country. According to Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, the Emerald Isle expresses...

A wave of Irish immigration to the United States that began in the mid-19th century set the stage for a broad transformation of American society, including its politics and popular culture. But...

Looking for your family crest aka family coat of arms? Not every family has a crest and finding yours can be tough. Here are a few tips on how to find your family crest.

The Irish are the second-largest group of people to immigrate to the United States. Devastating conditions at home motivated millions of Irish men and women to risk life and limb and come to America.

Peat bogs are sites of international importance restricted to areas of Western Europe, including the United Kingdom and small areas of Germany, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands.

Many people in America are interested in finding people in Ireland. Often an interest in genealogy leads Americans to look for relatives in Ireland to try to expand their family tree or try to get...

The arrival of a new baby is always a joyous event. If one of your favorite couples is having a baby, and one or both of them are of Irish descent, you may want to honor that heritage. There are...

There is a misconception that coats of arms are reserved to members of aristocratic families, but in Ireland Chief Herald I authorized to grant a coat of arms to individuals who are not of noble...

Irish Gaelic refers to the Celtic (KEL-tik) language spoken in Ireland. There are other branches of Gaelic: After Irish, Scottish Celtic is the next most prominent dialect. Modern Irish Gaelic...

The lovely Irish name Caitlin is a 20th century version of the Gaelic Cateline and can be found in the mythology and history of Ireland.

Gaelic can refer to any of the languages spoken by the Gaels--otherwise known as the Celtic peoples--of Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. It can be a confusing term, because it can also...

Being proud of your heritage is a great thing, but before you spend your hard earned money on an "authentic" coat of arms based on your Irish surname, there is some important information you...

Celtic Irish history is rich both in its people and culture. Today's Celtic Irish originate from three ancient Celtic tribes: the Firbolg, the Tuatha De Danann and the Milesius.

Ireland and its people date to about 8000 B.C. The nation has withstood centuries of invasions from the Romans, Vikings and British and remains a thriving culture that holds dear its mythic history.

Riverdance is based on competitive Irish step dancing, which can be traced back to the 1700s. It is often difficult for an audience to resist the tapping feet and the perfect precision of a group...

This is a fun and easy project for Irish dancers. A feis bucket is a handy way to tote your dance gear with the added bonus of having a ready-made comfy seat for resting or changing shoes. The...

Irish immigrants played an important part in American history. Driven from their homeland by the Great Potato Famine, the hardships they faced as they tried to make a new life for themselves and...

Ireland does not have a standard dress code, with the possible exception of school uniforms for students. As a result, there is a range of clothing options available to Irish people, who dress...

The Irish stepdance encompasses several styles and centuries of tradition in dance. Different times and places in history have made Irish dance a world-recognized, widely practiced social and...

The Irish Republican Army arose out the Irish revolt against British occupation in 1916. During the height of its activities, it was considered a dangerous terrorist organization, and even today...

Irish pottery dates back to ancient times. What is significant though, is how it has developed from utilitarian earthenware to products of distinction admired worldwide for their quality of design...

Many people of Irish or Scottish ancestry or who are interested in Celtic culture learn the Gaelic language. Some learn the language to better appreciate their cultural heritage or to gain a...

The roots of the St. Patrick's Day holiday go back more than 1,500 years. Whether you're watching the Chicago River turn green, or listening to traditional Irish music in Dublin, St. Patrick's Day...

The Irish solo dress is worn for Irish dancing. The dresses are known for their flared skirts; tight-fitting, long-sleeved tops; and bright colors. While you can buy these dresses, you can also...

'Tis a rare occurrence indeed when a couple makes it to a 50th anniversary, and so it should be celebrated in a special way. Whether Irish by birth or by heritage, the happy pair will no doubt be...

Aran sweaters, Waterford crystal, Belleek china and gold or silver claddagh jewelry are classic Irish gifts. But there are so many other fine Irish products, and thanks to online shopping, finding...

The luck o' the Irish is a fine sentiment for welcoming a new child into the world, be the baby Irish by birthplace or by ancestry. The Irish are well known for their delicate crafts and dazzling...

Irish music has the most distinct sounds because of the combination of instruments used. Generally these tunes are more like storytelling passed on from generation to generation.

Ireland has a long history of various literature types dating back to its Gaelic language. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, a number of famous writers helped establish Irish...

A hop step dance move is most well-known from Irish folk dance, especially in tap dancing. There are Irish dance troupes that perform all over the world with dances that originated just from the...

'The life of Riley' is a phrase meaning 'a good life,' usually with plenty of money and no unpleasant work (or no work at all). Who was the original Riley, though? Nobody knows for sure, but there...

The shamrock is many things, but most of us know it and recognize it immediately as being synonymous with Ireland. Indeed, it has even been copyrighted as a symbol of the country by the...

Riverdance is a popular Irish step dancing company that started in the mid 1990's. Irish step dancing is relatively new but has overwhelming popularity due to it's artistic nature and technical...

Flying into Ireland, the view from the airplane window is of a sparkling, green landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see,. Ireland's climate provides an abundance of rain intermingled...

The Celtic cross first appeared as a pagan symbol that originated centuries before Christianity. The Celts were a nomadic people with roots in many different present-day European countries. As...

The religious history of Ireland spans thousands of years and encompasses the beliefs and practices of many different societies. From ancient mystics to medieval monks, Ireland's religious history...

The history of Riverdance is illustrious, as this all-star Irish step dance performance is one of the most successful entertainment pieces to ever come out of Ireland. With its high-kicking, peppy...

Ireland's fight for independence was long and hard, and as of this writing in 2009, it has still not been entirely resolved. The Republic of Ireland's flag is intended as a gesture of unity as...

Traditional Irish clothing is pleated and made from wool. Sheep in Ireland are darker in color, which causes the fabrics to be darker. Irish clothing was influenced by the English culture as early...

Irish coats of arms are ablaze with all sorts of significant symbols of particular importance to an individual clan or specific family. A huge variety of symbols and designs, including the...

Irish gangs date at least to the mid-19th century when street gangs waged battles for control of New York City neighborhoods with colorful names like Dead Rabbits and 40 Thieves. A new kind of...

Ireland has a tumultuous history. It has long been closely connected to England, though in constant struggle for independence from it. There is continual conflict between Protestant Northern...

Irish natives who have lived outside the country for a long time often dream of retiring to Ireland, contemplating a better quality of life, a chance to reunite with old friends and family, or to...

The flag of Ireland is a "tricolor" flag of green, white and orange in vertical stripes. It is called the An Bhratach Náisiúnta in Ireland's native Gaelic. Northern Ireland (under...

Need some ideas to celebrate St.Patricks Day? Try this fun way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by making green Beer and sharing with family and friends! Go on and drink green!

The legacy of the Irish in America is far-reaching and ever-evolving. Below are some ways you can learn about and celebrate your Irish heritage, whether you’re first generation American or many...

Come here, boyo, let's not misunderstand each other: You're not going to be able to sound like a Dubliner by the end of this article. Many have tried, many have failed: Brad Pitt in "The Devil's...

Get your kid(s) to assist with preparing breakfast with you on St. Patrick’s Day. Kids enjoy spending time with someone who will let them cook. Children in particular love arts and crafts projects...

Everyone loves Saint Patrick's Day, but many of the celebrations aren't family friendly. This cute breakfast allows everyone to celebrate together and start out their Saint Patty's right.

Find it hard to celebrate St Patrick's Day? Have no idea how to or why your doing it? Come here and follow these steps, and have a great St Patrick's Day!