The Irish Christmas traditions everyone recognises are the candle in the window on Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass, the Christmas Day sea swim, the 12 Pubs of Christmas, Stephen’s Day and …
Around 18 to 23 December, sunlight enters Newgrange through its roof-box and lights the chamber for up to 17 minutes. Here’s what happens, how old the tomb is, how the lottery works and how to watch the live stream.
Scratching your head, looking at your new little cat and wondering what kind of purrfect Irish cat names you could choose? 🐾 Well, you came to the right place. Whatever …
“Seeing Things” is a profound collection of poetry by Seamus Heaney, a towering figure in modern Irish literature and a Nobel Laureate in Literature. This collection, published in 1991, delves …
Who wrote Fairytale of New York, how Kirsty MacColl ended up on it, why it stalled at No. 2, what it means to the Irish abroad, and a tribute to Shane MacGowan.
Back with a wonderful Irish poem. This week, it is a piece that resonates with the warmth and depth of Irish culture. The poem Mossbawn: Sunlight is a tribute to …
Why the Irish banged bread against the door on New Year’s Eve, opened the doors at midnight and threw nothing out on New Year’s Day, plus how to say Happy New Year in Irish.
This week, I am sharing the Irish poem Casualty By Seamus Heaney. It’s a piece that reflects a critical period in Irish history and showcases Heaney’s incredible skill in capturing …
When one thinks of poetry, laughter might not be the immediate reaction. However, as we delve into the visceral imagery of Seamus Heaney’s “The Grauballe Man”, we find there’s room …
Seamus Heaney’s “Punishment” from his “North” collection is a heartbreaking reflection on pain and revenge. It’s stirred by the tragic tale of a young girl’s ancient remains found preserved in …
Dolores O’Riordan wrote Zombie after the 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington that killed two boys. Here’s what the song is about, its records, and how Irish rugby fans made it their anthem.
Ireland has only two official State emblems, the harp and the shamrock. Here are 12 symbols of Ireland, from the tricolour to the wolfhound, with their real history and where you see them today.
Seamus Heaney’s poem “The Forge” is a beautiful exploration of the art of blacksmithing and the transformational power of labour. This poem, from Heaney’s second collection Door into the Dark …
Meet the Celtic gods and goddesses of Ireland: the Dagda, Brigid, Lugh, the Morrígan, Manannán mac Lir, Nuada and more, with their stories and festivals.
If you enjoyed my incredible list of Irish sayings previously, you might also be looking for some Irish greetings. And Irish greetings often reflect the warmth and friendliness of Irish …