Rebuilding Lives in Northern Ireland
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Oct 31st, 2011
The ‘grogach’ is a small, hairy half-human half-fairy creature who attaches itself to a family, helping with the chores. He asks only for a bowl of milk as payment. He resembles a little old man and is found in the north of Ireland, usually Co. Antrim. A ‘banshee’ is a female ancestral spirit who warns members [...]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jul 27th, 2011
Lunasa (Lughnasa) or Garland Sunday is also known as Fraughn Sunday. (A fraughn is a small berry which has ripened and people now enjoy the fruits they have gathered.) It is celebrated on the last Sunday in July and marks the end of summer. It is also called Crom Dubh or the dark, crooked one [...]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jul 25th, 2011
The “bite of friendship” refers to the offering of hospitality. In medieval times, visitors to an Irish castle took bread and salt before entering as a token of trust….(proof that their host wasn’t trying to poison them). The custom of dipping bread into salt is still used as a sign of friendship and welcome.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jun 21st, 2011
June 21 marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. The Celts did not use a calendar, but their year was circular marked at the quarters and cross quarters by seasonal festivities. They would mark the Summer Solstice with bonfires which they would leap over to promote fertility and health. They would toss [...]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jun 15th, 2011
On June 10, 1904 James Joyce was walking Nassau Street in Dublin when a pretty young lady (Nora Barnacle) caught his eye. He found out where she lived and made a date with her. On June 16 they went walking at Irishtown, Ringsend and a few months later they eloped to the continent. He celebrated [...]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Apr 27th, 2011
According to legend, O’Sullivan’s Cascade in Killarney once ran with whiskey. Fionn MacCumhal resided here and kept his supply of whiskey. O’Sullivan was lucky enough to share this as he was the only man to stand up for Fionn. But when the Sassenagh (foreigner) invaded, the cascade changed to water.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Apr 13th, 2011
The forty days of Lent were traditionally ones when no meat was eaten and a favorite food or pastime was given up as penance. This was a time when people reflected on their good fortune. Homes were cleaned thoroughly (spring cleaning) so as to be prepared for the blessing by the priest. This custom has [...]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jan 18th, 2011
First son – after father’s father First daughter – after mother’s mother Second son – after mother’s father Second daughter – after father’s mother Third son – after father Third daughter – after mother Fourth son – after father’s eldest brother Fourth daughter – after mother’s eldest sister
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 14th, 2010
St. Patrick brought Christmas to Ireland when he Christianized the country at the end of the 5th Century. Much of the history of Ireland is the history of a nation existing as part of another empire, and as a result was a poor nation. This affected the style of their Christmas traditions. Irish Christmas customs [...]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 11th, 2010
To say Merry Christmas in Irish, “Nollaig Shona Duit” pronounced “NO-lihg HO-nuh ghwich”(for one person). To more than one, “Nollaig Shona Daoibh,” pronounced “NO-lihg HO-nuh JEEV.”
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