Can anyone tell me about Irish culture and life?

Question

I'm irish and am thinking about studying in ireland for a few months. I was wondering what irish culture is all about (i'd kinda like to know that there is more to it than potatos, drinking and lucky charms).

ok so i'm irish-american. sorry for any confusion. books generally dont really touch on the experience of living there that only a resident would know. does anyone live in ireland that could tell me about living there?

Answer 1

'Irish' means the men and women who have lived in Ireland in the past, or as still living there today, as well as Irish-Americans, Irish-Australians, Irish-Canadians and others throughout the world." The culture of Ireland and her people continue to influence all cultures that come into contact with the Irish. Modern Irish culture was formed from a mixture of ancient traditions, religion, and interactions with non-Irish people. According to Edward Tylor, "culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, arts, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society").

The character of Irish people cannot be simply and plainly stated for they are as complicated and diverse people as any other culture. The customs concerning love and death are an important part of Irish culture. When an Irish couple wants to be married there are many options open to them. If they wish to be married in a traditional Irish way, the couple may choose to participate in a Handfasting. "Handfasting is an ancient Celtic custom, especially common in Ireland and Scotland, in which a man and woman come together at the start of their marriage relationship". The couple joins hands and they are bound together by their wrists. This tradition yielded the expression "tying the knot." The agreement made when the hands are tied usually lasts for a year and a day. After that they can decide whether to make a more lasting bond or to be bound for another year.

There is an Old Irish proverb that goes. "May you be in heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead!" This attitude describes and partly explains the celebratory actions that follow an Irish wake. "The wake is an integral part of the grieving process as family, friends and neighbors gather to comfort each other at their communal loss and to provide support to the immediate family of the dead". The wake lasts from the time of death until the funeral. Women "lay out" the body on a bed or table. Then there is a ritual lamentation by women called keening. "The Irish have always loved a good party and the wake, like any other gathering in the community, became an occasion to share food and drink, have music and dancing and to enjoy some physical games." Hope this helps you out a little hun........Flo

Answer 2

theres this really great book that i would HIGHLY recomend. its called "how to be irish (even if you already are)" and its by rosemary rogers and sean kelly.
anyways, it covers everything and its really hilarious. try it.
heres what i found on the internet:
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Luck has nothing to do with it!

Of course you want to be Irish. Look what it did for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sinead, Maeve Binchy, Roddy Doyle, JFK, Seamus Heaney, Angela's Ashes, and all those Riverdancers. But until now, the secrets of how to be Irish have been hidden in a Celtic Twilight of blather and blarney.

Now this easy-to-read (with plenty o' pictures) handbook dares to tell you:

How to have an Irish name
How to talk, look, and act Irish
How to vote Irish
How to have thin skin, a terrible temper, and the gift of gab

Whether you're proudly Irish, anti-Irish, fallen-away Irish, or would-be Irish--that is to say, if you're a living, breathing human being--How to Be Irish is for you.

Learn (to your surprise) who's really Irish and who's only passing!

Discover (to your astonishment) your own underground Irish roots!

And brace yourself, Bridget, for the shocking (if brief) history of Irish-American sex!

Answer 3

I knly know one thing - about a year ago Yahoo or MSN did a write up on which countries have the highest quality of life and Ireland was number 1

Answer 4

Your Irish, and aksing us about your own culture?

Well, im British, so i just see Eire as, frankly, a European Backwater. It is a beautiful coutnry though but..yeah, just not much clout in a international sense...

Oh, and dont start me on the IRA

Answer 5

Some great music! www.poorangus.com is my band, and we use irish and scottish pipes.... check us out for some culture

Answer 6

they drink they have red hair oops thats the movies. guess what search the web or read a book for crying out loud.

Answer 7

don't forget Red hair and funny accents

while you are there be sure to kiss the Blarney Stone

Answer 8

They are all green and eat 4-leaf clovers for lunch.