Rebuilding Lives in Northern Ireland
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Mar 17th, 2014
Queen Victoria decreed that all Irish regiments of the British Army wear a shamrock in their head dress on St Patrick’s Day in honor of their bravery in the Boer War. St Patrick’s Day became a bank holiday in Ireland in 1903. In 2001 for the first time Queen Elizabeth sent a St Patrick Day […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Mar 11th, 2014
The Devil’s Bit in Co. Tipperary is one of the most visited sites in Ireland. There are many legends connected to the mysterious chunk out of the side of the mountain. One of these is that St. Patrick plucked a shamrock out of the ground to explain the Holy Trinity to King Aengus thus converting […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Feb 1st, 2014
Feb 1 is known as the Feast of St Bridget. It is called ‘Imbolc’ and on this day it is time to watch for badgers to come from their dens, a sign of spring. (This is a forerunner of groundhog day). It was traditional to burn fires on this day as it signified the return of […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 24th, 2013
The ancient Christmas tradition of Mumming is still practiced in Ireland, especially in Co Armagh, Fermanagh and Antrim. Entertainers clothe themselves with straw disguises, armed with clubs and swords. In the play there are two heroes such as St Patrick and St George. The play symbolizes the battle between good and evil, darkness and light. […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 23rd, 2013
President Mary McAleese started the tradition of placing a Menorah in the window of the President’s residence for Hanukkah (along with the customary candle for Christmas). There are about 2,000 Jews living in Ireland at the present time. They have lived there since the 11th C. The Jews and the Irish have much in common- […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 21st, 2013
On St. Stephen’s Day in Ireland good deeds are performed such as distributing food to the poor.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 18th, 2013
In the old days, it was the responsibility of the children to gather the holiday greens. Finding a holly bush with lots of berries was considered lucky. Holly has been used for Christmas celebrations for almost 2,000 years.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 17th, 2013
In the past, instead of candleholders for the Christmas candle, people would hollow out turnips since they were plentiful and both large and heavy enough to hold a candle.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 16th, 2013
Mistletoe was regarded by the Celts as a sacred plant. It has no support system of its own since it is a parasite, feeding off the tree it attaches itself to. They called the plant’ all-heal’ capable of curing all kinds of diseases, and it was considered the visible soul of the oak tree. It […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 14th, 2013
Decorating homes with evergreens at the Christmas season is traditional in Ireland. Evergreens remind us that the world cannot be conquered by winter and the red berries remind us of life.
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