Ireland culture slideshow
Additional Ireland culture resources
Irish Culture and Traditions: This website has A LOT of great information on Ireland and all the different aspects of it to include but not limited to people, politics, economy, food, religion, etc.
Your Irish: This website has information, pictures and even recipes about the culture of Ireland. It also has great information on traditions, Celtic, and folklore.
Your Irish: This website has information, pictures and even recipes about the culture of Ireland. It also has great information on traditions, Celtic, and folklore.
Map of Clans in Ireland
This map shows not only the different clans that inhabit Ireland but also their origins. Ireland has many different cultures and traditions and this map helps visualize where different and similar cultures are located.
Source: https://www.irishorigenes.com/sites/default/files/field/image/Clans%20of%20Ireland.jpg
Ireland Demographic Data
Gapminder World
With the many changes that have happened in Ireland, I found the statistics of the land, work and infrastructure interesting. The agriculture land in Ireland has remained the majority of the country. In 1983 over 80% of the land was agriculture, by 2007 it was only reduced to about 60% (Figure 1). The population that is in agriculture work in 1983 was only about 18% and has also reduced to about 6%. Most of the population workers are actually in the service work which consisted of about 54% in 1983 and increased to over 65% in 2006 (Figure 2). The other 25-30% of workers are in the Industry work, which has remained about the same between 1983-2006. With agriculture land covering most of the country, Ireland actually has 100% of their roads paved since 1998 (Figure 3).
Religion Origin and History
There are two main religions in Ireland. The oldest known religion is Celtic. Celtic religion is a mystery because of the written word not being used at the time of practice and therefore is seen as myths and legends. The other main religion is Roman Catholic. Roman Catholic is the region that is claimed by most of the citizens, but as I found it is not really fully practiced with much of the members. This is a very brief description of the two major religions showing the origins, impact on society, a few sacred places and how the government and religion intermingle with each other.
One of the oldest religions in Ireland is Celtic, which was around 3500 BC. The origins of the Celts is undetermined, but some research has shown that they came from Africa and Asia. Some also believe that they migrated from Norway and Scotland. Currently the most acclaimed religion in Ireland is Roman Catholic. The origins of Roman Catholic is branched off from Christianity and there is no specific date or place of origin, but it was Pope Leo I to institute a Roman Catholic structure. Both religions share some of the same beliefs and can be difficult to differentiate between the two. The sacred books used for Roman Catholics are the Old Testament, with several inclusions or deuterocanonical, and the New Testament.
Catholic religion today in Ireland is seen as a culture more than a religion. The Catholic Church are the ones that manage and fund about 90% of the primary schools. Students of any denomination are able to attend, the schools are governed by Catholic boards and there is teaching of the Catholic religion, but it is not mandatory to convert. Parents may not practice the religion or attend Church, but they will still have their children baptized so that they may retain the status and ensure a place in a primary school. Weekly Church attendance has drastically declined since the 1970s and the majority of members only attend on special occasions or to have a wedding at the Church.
Ireland has many sacred sites that are not only important to the Celtic or Catholic religion, but also are as old as the first settlement in Ireland. For the Celtic faith, there are over twenty sites that are considered sacred and some even say magical. The Rock of Cashel is now ruins but was once a great Celtic cathedral. Mt. Croagh Patrick, is a sacred site from Celtic days. Visitors hike to the top, pray at the cross or do penance and relax at the beautiful scenery, it is said the hike back down is easier because you are at peace and are able to really enjoy the beautiful scenery. For Catholic faith, the holiest place is the Vatican and the second holiest place is any Cathedral they have built. There are also a few sites in Ireland, such as the Knock Shrine where in 1879 parish members saw Mary, Joseph and John in their church and the Catholic Church deemed the visions trustworthy. Clonmacnoise are ruins that consist of a castle, numerous churches, a cathedral, a round tower and two high crosses.
All throughout history religion and government have been an influence on each other. As mentioned before that in Ireland the Catholic Church is actually responsible for over 90% of the primary schools in Ireland. The Government itself is based on a Constitution, but the influence that Catharism as a whole, that is also taken into account when discussing policies and laws. The Church does not have an actual say in the House of Representatives or Senate. The majority of government members are Catholic and have a tendency to incorporate their beliefs into policies and laws because the majority of the country shares the same beliefs and therefore are influenced by what is presented.
In conclusion, religion in Ireland seems to more accepted and practiced than that in the United States or much of the world. The hardships that Ireland has faced over the centuries have been overcome through their belief and support system of society as a whole and their faith. Citizens accept being Catholic and follow the church rule, but there has been an increase in looking to the past of the Celtic era and their ancient roots. The rich history of religion in Ireland is really worth the research to learn more about the ups, downs and mysterious ways that have made the country what it is today.
References
Fast Facts about Religion in Ireland. (n.d.). Dochara. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.dochara.com/the-irish/facts/about-religion/
Library. (n.d.). Roman Catholic Origins, Roman Catholic History, Roman Catholic Beliefs. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.patheos.com/Library/Roman-Catholicism.html
Mt. Croach Patrick. (n.d.). Sacred Sites. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://sacredsites.com/europe/ireland/
In Search of Ancient Ireland. (n.d.). PBS. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ancientireland/religion2.html
Sacred Destinations. (n.d.). Knock Shrine. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/ireland/
One of the oldest religions in Ireland is Celtic, which was around 3500 BC. The origins of the Celts is undetermined, but some research has shown that they came from Africa and Asia. Some also believe that they migrated from Norway and Scotland. Currently the most acclaimed religion in Ireland is Roman Catholic. The origins of Roman Catholic is branched off from Christianity and there is no specific date or place of origin, but it was Pope Leo I to institute a Roman Catholic structure. Both religions share some of the same beliefs and can be difficult to differentiate between the two. The sacred books used for Roman Catholics are the Old Testament, with several inclusions or deuterocanonical, and the New Testament.
Catholic religion today in Ireland is seen as a culture more than a religion. The Catholic Church are the ones that manage and fund about 90% of the primary schools. Students of any denomination are able to attend, the schools are governed by Catholic boards and there is teaching of the Catholic religion, but it is not mandatory to convert. Parents may not practice the religion or attend Church, but they will still have their children baptized so that they may retain the status and ensure a place in a primary school. Weekly Church attendance has drastically declined since the 1970s and the majority of members only attend on special occasions or to have a wedding at the Church.
Ireland has many sacred sites that are not only important to the Celtic or Catholic religion, but also are as old as the first settlement in Ireland. For the Celtic faith, there are over twenty sites that are considered sacred and some even say magical. The Rock of Cashel is now ruins but was once a great Celtic cathedral. Mt. Croagh Patrick, is a sacred site from Celtic days. Visitors hike to the top, pray at the cross or do penance and relax at the beautiful scenery, it is said the hike back down is easier because you are at peace and are able to really enjoy the beautiful scenery. For Catholic faith, the holiest place is the Vatican and the second holiest place is any Cathedral they have built. There are also a few sites in Ireland, such as the Knock Shrine where in 1879 parish members saw Mary, Joseph and John in their church and the Catholic Church deemed the visions trustworthy. Clonmacnoise are ruins that consist of a castle, numerous churches, a cathedral, a round tower and two high crosses.
All throughout history religion and government have been an influence on each other. As mentioned before that in Ireland the Catholic Church is actually responsible for over 90% of the primary schools in Ireland. The Government itself is based on a Constitution, but the influence that Catharism as a whole, that is also taken into account when discussing policies and laws. The Church does not have an actual say in the House of Representatives or Senate. The majority of government members are Catholic and have a tendency to incorporate their beliefs into policies and laws because the majority of the country shares the same beliefs and therefore are influenced by what is presented.
In conclusion, religion in Ireland seems to more accepted and practiced than that in the United States or much of the world. The hardships that Ireland has faced over the centuries have been overcome through their belief and support system of society as a whole and their faith. Citizens accept being Catholic and follow the church rule, but there has been an increase in looking to the past of the Celtic era and their ancient roots. The rich history of religion in Ireland is really worth the research to learn more about the ups, downs and mysterious ways that have made the country what it is today.
References
Fast Facts about Religion in Ireland. (n.d.). Dochara. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.dochara.com/the-irish/facts/about-religion/
Library. (n.d.). Roman Catholic Origins, Roman Catholic History, Roman Catholic Beliefs. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.patheos.com/Library/Roman-Catholicism.html
Mt. Croach Patrick. (n.d.). Sacred Sites. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://sacredsites.com/europe/ireland/
In Search of Ancient Ireland. (n.d.). PBS. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ancientireland/religion2.html
Sacred Destinations. (n.d.). Knock Shrine. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/ireland/
|
|
Loss of the Celtic culture
One of the main cultures within Ireland that has been lost is the Celtic culture. As mentioned above, Celtic is the oldest known religion in Ireland but it is more than just a religion, it was a way of life and culture. Over the years the Celtic culture has disappeared and just about became extinct. This report explains more in depth about the cultures, what happened to the cultures, and what effects it has had on Ireland.
The Celts arrived in Ireland around 500 BC (Figure 1) and had a very naturalistic approach to their culture. The plants, trees (Figure 2) and animals were just as important to them as the minerals they mined, weapons they made and houses they built. The Celts would not only use their resources for food and clothing, but also as healing agents and ceremonial use. Women were known as being healers, while men had been the ones to do the hunting. Animals were hunted and eaten but not before a blessing was done to thank the spirits, gods and goddesses for the gift because every plant, tree and animal represented something different.
The resources and biodiversity was important to the Celtic culture, but another aspect that still exists in many places all throughout Ireland is the artwork. The most well-known artwork of the Celts is the Celtic cross. The knotting of the artwork is known to represent infinity and that there are many aspects, twists and turns in life, but it remains continuous and flowing.
St. Patrick had come to Ireland around 462 AD and brought with him the written word. The monks that had also come to Ireland had started recording the Celtic cultures in books and manuscripts. The loss of the Celtic culture happened because the monks were putting their own interpretations into the writings and eventually became the demise of the culture and what they believed in and how they lived. The only thing known today about the culture is through stories, legends and artifacts.
With the loss of the Celtic culture, Ireland has become very diverse within the last few years. Currently, there are approximately 160 different nationalities living, working or studying in Ireland. Within the different cultures, one aspect as remained universal and that is the protection and preservation of the biodiversity. From the citizens, to government, to tourists all respect the environment and do what they can so that Ireland will remain a place of beauty, wonder and mysterious land that it is today.
References
Celtic Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.celtic-culture.com/
Celtic Ireland in the Iron Age: The Celts. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iron_age.html
The Celts. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.proud2beirish.com/Celtic-Ireland.htm
Ancient Celts Timeline. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.datesandevents.org/places-timelines/10-ancient-celts-timeline.htm
Irish History - Earthlore Explorations Historic Overview: Early Age Ireland. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.elore.com/Ireland/History/Overview/early.htm
The Celts arrived in Ireland around 500 BC (Figure 1) and had a very naturalistic approach to their culture. The plants, trees (Figure 2) and animals were just as important to them as the minerals they mined, weapons they made and houses they built. The Celts would not only use their resources for food and clothing, but also as healing agents and ceremonial use. Women were known as being healers, while men had been the ones to do the hunting. Animals were hunted and eaten but not before a blessing was done to thank the spirits, gods and goddesses for the gift because every plant, tree and animal represented something different.
The resources and biodiversity was important to the Celtic culture, but another aspect that still exists in many places all throughout Ireland is the artwork. The most well-known artwork of the Celts is the Celtic cross. The knotting of the artwork is known to represent infinity and that there are many aspects, twists and turns in life, but it remains continuous and flowing.
St. Patrick had come to Ireland around 462 AD and brought with him the written word. The monks that had also come to Ireland had started recording the Celtic cultures in books and manuscripts. The loss of the Celtic culture happened because the monks were putting their own interpretations into the writings and eventually became the demise of the culture and what they believed in and how they lived. The only thing known today about the culture is through stories, legends and artifacts.
With the loss of the Celtic culture, Ireland has become very diverse within the last few years. Currently, there are approximately 160 different nationalities living, working or studying in Ireland. Within the different cultures, one aspect as remained universal and that is the protection and preservation of the biodiversity. From the citizens, to government, to tourists all respect the environment and do what they can so that Ireland will remain a place of beauty, wonder and mysterious land that it is today.
References
Celtic Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.celtic-culture.com/
Celtic Ireland in the Iron Age: The Celts. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iron_age.html
The Celts. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.proud2beirish.com/Celtic-Ireland.htm
Ancient Celts Timeline. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.datesandevents.org/places-timelines/10-ancient-celts-timeline.htm
Irish History - Earthlore Explorations Historic Overview: Early Age Ireland. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.elore.com/Ireland/History/Overview/early.htm
Food of Ireland
When it comes Ireland, the one food staple that everyone thinks of is potatoes. While this is true, there are also other staples that fit into traditional Irish food. A couple of other food staples are corned beef and cabbage. With all of the hardships that Ireland has faced over the centuries (famine, plague, war), Ireland had mastered “broke food.” They needed a hearty meal with the resources they had and therefore brought about dishes such as Irish stew and Colcannon. Also grains, dairy and soups of all types are favorites at meal time. There are numerous Farmer’s Market available all throughout the country which gives families access to the freshest fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers.
Ireland is about 90% Roman Catholic so Christmas dinner and Easter are the biggest traditional dinners that are made. Some foods that are made on those two holidays are a goose, potato oat cakes, and minced pies. Many also celebrate Lent, in which case they give up one or more foods for the 40 days and nights. On Good Friday, hot crossed buns are made. For Halloween Colcannon is traditionally served with a ring or lucky charm hidden in the center. The day after Halloween is All Saint’s Day in which no meat is eaten. FUN FOOD FACTS:
References Food in Every Country. (n.d.). Retrieved August 11, 2014, from http://www.foodbycountry.com/Germany-to-Japan/Ireland.html Easy Traditional Irish Food Recipes – About Ireland Food. (n.d.). Retrieved August 11, 2014, from http://www.yourirish.com/food/ |
Traditional Irish Stew
Ingredients
Colcannon Ingredients
|