Hey Santa Claus! Here comes Santa Claus! Who doesn’t love Santa Claus? If there is one well-known fact about Christmas it is that it is a very magical time of the year. Christmas time is a period where even the least hopeful types somehow manage to muster a small amount of optimism. I’m not sure if […]
Tag: Irish Culture
More Powerful than E-mail: the American Letter

A long time ago, Ireland was effected by an incredible famine which riddled the country with strife. People were starving and when people are not getting the bare essential of food, it is common for times to turn desperate. Worry turns into concern which then easily turns into panic. However, during such a time, it […]
Tis the Season for Joyce

James Joyce might not seem like the most Christmasy and festive of Irish writers, but he does have a special resonance at this time of year. Yes, those who have a week or so of extra free time during horrible weather do have a great chance to try (again) to tackle Ulysses, but there is […]
Knots for Christmas. How to Bring them to Your Holiday

Celtic knots are ancient symbols. When they are worn, they literally embody great messages from the past. It is interesting since today, such old emblems can still fit in well with fashion and what we wear. However, I think it is easy for people to misunderstand just how deep their meaning is unless they grasp […]
Battered but Not Broken, Dublin Survives Brutal Invasion

Americans have Black Friday. The Irish have something far more frightening. Culchie Shopping Day. They rose before the first light yesterday, hustling to get ready for the planned assault on the nation’s capital. Taking sandwiches and biscuits along with bags for the loot they expected to bring home, they left their homes early to travel […]
Irish-Inspired Stocking Stuffers & Charms!

There are two types of Christmas presents out there. There are the classic, old-fashioned ones that we place under the tree and that we spend much of our time wrapping into pretty, little or big packages. Then, there are the stocking stutffers. Now, what are those exactly? Stockings have been a part of Christmas […]
At Home, Delicious, Irish Pudding for Christmas

Have you made pudding for your holiday dessert? If not, see below for some great tips! The holiday time is a great time for experimenting with new or different customs. For the most part, many people like to stick with the traditional things that they have always experienced during the season. But, if you are Irish, perhaps there are […]
When the Best of Times Is the Worst of Times

For some, there is deep darkness behind the twinkling lights. What can you do to help anyone in your life who is struggling with depression? One of Ireland’s most famous singers recently posted a suicide note on Facebook, and was thankfully found in time to be helped. That individual deserves privacy at this time, but […]
Give the Gift of Gold and Everlasting Friendship

Want to give a gift of gold for the holidays? Make it even more special with a claddagh ring. Holidays give us the chance to think about those we love and are closest to. Many times upon deep reflection, we realize that no ordinary gift will do what we want. Sometimes what we need is something extra […]
A Few Ways to Make your Christmas Just Like Ireland

What is Christmas like in Ireland? To those folks who want to make their holidays a bit more green, follow this advice. If you are Irish in descent, but you live worlds away, you can still find meaningful ways to incorporate Irish culture into your holidays. […]