Musings, ramblings and thought provoking articles from our team of talented writers - all views expressed are their own!
One hundred years ago, Eamon De Valera began the new year in the United States of America. He had arrived there the previous June, coming in his capacity as president of the first Irish legislature to lobby for recognition of the emerging Irish state. The first legislature was actually elected before Ireland gained independence from […]
Kate O’Brien should be one of Ireland’s most celebrated writers. Banned by both Irish and Spanish authorities in her lifetime, she tackled the intertwined taboo subjects of women’s freedom and sexuality, rendering compelling plots in lushly beautiful prose. Nothing in her works would be shocking to modern readers, but her allusions to adultery, same-sex relationships […]
Halloween began centuries ago in Ireland as Samhain. October 31st was the last day of the Celtic year, and people believed it was a time when all sorts of ghouls could visit from the spirit world. Jack o’lanterns are the descendants of turnips carved with gruesome faces to frighten off evil spirits. Trick or treating […]
No nation or culture can be represented fairly by just one person. If any two men could between them manage to convey the essence of Irishness, it would be Oscar Wilde and Michael Collins. These vastly different men both shaped Irish history, culture and identity in very different ways – and they share a birthday. […]
His name is so merged with his product that we often forget it was a person’s name before it was a stout. His signature is right there on the logo, but what do we know about him? The name Guinness is as closely associated with Ireland as the name Patrick. But before there was Guinness […]
Most of Ireland is rural. Farming is a crucial part of the Irish economy, history and culture. One of the largest events in the country is all about farm life. Every September, when farming life calms down slightly, Irish farmers gather for a massive celebration of their vocation. The National Ploughing Championships are much more […]
If you celebrate your birthday in August, you share a birthstone with one of Ireland’s most famous women. Maureen FitzSimons from the Ranelagh area in Dublin was a gifted athlete, marvelous singer, talented actress and stunning beauty born on August 17, 1920. That name might not ring a bell because she became one of the […]
Centuries ago, the Vikings left their mark on Ireland. Dublin and Waterford particularly can boast of fascinating evidence of the influence of the Vikings who arrived in the 8th century. They began as invaders, but as fierce as they were, even the Vikings could not withstand the charm of the Irish. So they settled in […]
