Ireland has a rather high number of saints per capita. Patrick and Brigid share duties as the nation’s patron saints. Brendan is remembered as the navigator. While the list of Irish saints is extensive to say the least, there is one other name visitors are likely to hear. It’s a name shared by many today, […]
Category: Celtic Symbols / Imagery
Crosses Survived
The primary religion in the Republic of Ireland is Christianity with more than eighty percent of the populous belonging to this sect. The history of Christianity in Ireland dates back centuries to nearly four-hundred A.D. What is known was that prior to this time there was very little religious conviction in Ireland in large groupings […]
The Children of Lir
Plenty of European countries have their twisted tales of evil stepmothers, but Ireland’s version is really for the birds. Well, for the swans anyway. With apologies to wrongly maligned stepmothers everywhere, Ireland’s version at least features a wicked stepmother who couldn’t bring herself to actually kill her stepchildren and instead comes up with another plot […]
RIP Dermot Healy, Writer among Writers
Ireland’s great abundance of gifted writers has made literature our best known export, and readers around the world can list the biggest names. But we also have those treasured authors who are beloved and respected here, while somehow largely escaping the notice of readers elsewhere. Dermot Healy was one such treasure, and his recent death […]
Law and Order Ancient Irish Style
Paradoxically, the stereotypical Irish-American occupation has long been police officer, but in Ireland, the concept of police came from outside. Once upon a time, Ireland ran quite smoothly and relatively peacefully without a single police officer. Between the time of the Druids and imposition of British Common Law, Ireland followed its own unique system of […]
Can You See the Trees for the Forest?
Images of Ireland tend to show rolling green hillsides dotted with sheep, narrow country roads, colorful pubs and villages and beautiful ruins of castles, towers and monasteries. You don’t see many photos of Irish forests, largely because they mostly destroyed long before the camera was invented. Farming began in Ireland about 6,000 years ago when […]
What’s the Appeal of Water that You Probably Shouldn’t Drink?
You might think water wouldn’t be anything special in a country famous for how much it rains, but not all water is equal. Some is potable, some isn’t – and some is holy. Catholic churches worldwide have holy water fonts, but Ireland takes it a step further. We have holy wells. Used not just for […]
Another Kind of Irish Ring
Claddagh rings are not the only rings that enchant visitors to Ireland. Sure, they are beautiful and you can buy one to take home. Our other famous rings are less portable, and you’d do well to look but not touch them, as people occasionally learn the hard way. The Irish landscape is dotted with ancient […]
History of the Ha’Penny Bridge
Most tourists visiting Dublin make a point of strolling over this gorgeous iron pedestrian bridge spanning the River Liffey, and many Dubliners cross back and forth over it daily. It is estimated that an average of 30,000 people use the Ha’Penny Bridge every day. The iron arches topped with lamps give a romantic, cozy charm, […]
What Do You Really Know about the Shamrock?
You have no doubt seen it countless times on logos, decorations, tea sets, t-shirts and jewelry. It’s one of the most enduring and popular symbols of Ireland, and it is everywhere on St. Patrick’s Day, but what do you really know about Ireland’s most famous plant? The shamrock is synonymous with Ireland, yet it remains […]