This Saturday, March 17—millions of people across the world will don their finest greenery and celebrate the Irish with parades, good cheer and maybe even a pint. For the week that’s in it, here’s some fun Paddy’s Day trivia to share with your friends and family. Ireland’s Patron Saint, St. Patrick , was not…
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Today we celebrate the 170th birthday of the Irish tricolor flag. Recognized the world over, the famous green, white and gold boasts a history as tumultuous as Ireland itself. A Symbol of Peace The Irish tricolor flag was initially envisioned as a symbol of peace and co-operation between two opposing sides. The green represented the republicans, i.e.…
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Over the centuries, the humble shamrock plant has come to symbolise Ireland and all things Irish. The shamrock has become a key emblem associated with Saint Patrick’s Day, the custom of wearing shamrock on the day is still observed and the plant is a common sight during the celebrations. In this blog, we look into the…
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Located in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, Newgrange is emblematic of the Emerald Isle’s rich and mysterious prehistory. There is a Place in the East… The Newgrange Stone Age Passage Tomb is found in the beautiful Boyne Valley, County Wicklow. It was discovered in 1699 and has since become one of the great landmarks…
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Believed to date back to the 9th century, the ancient Celtic tale of Diarmuid and Gráinne is a true classic much loved by the Irish. Gráinne (pronounced Graw-nyah) was the daughter of the High King of Ireland, Cormac MacAirt. She was renowned for her unparalleled beauty and grace. Suitors traveled from all over Ireland to woo the…
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Said to ward off evil, fire and hunger; the Cross of St. Brigid is an old Irish symbol of protection. The Brigid’s Cross is a religious symbol which is usually woven from rushes. The traditional design has four arms which are tied at the end and a woven square found in the middle. Who was St. Brigid?…
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“In Dublin’s Fair City, Where The Girls Are So Pretty, I First Set My Eyes on Sweet Molly Malone…” These words will sound familiar to anyone who knows the Emerald Isle. The unofficial anthem of Ireland’s capital, Molly Malone or Cockles and Mussels is a world famous example of Irish folk music. Alive, Alive-Oh! The song tells the story…
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Ireland has many unique Christmas traditions. From the very poignant to the downright bizarre, Ireland’s festive celebrations are truly one of a kind. The Christmas Candle in the Window On Christmas Eve, many families place a solitary candle in the window as a gesture of festive charity and goodwill to others. The light in the…
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Once described as “the chief treasure of the western world,” the exquisite Book of Kells manuscript is one of Ireland’s greatest artistic contributions to the world. The lavishly decorated Book of Kells was created by highly skilled monks at the height of Ireland’s Golden Age. Easily Ireland’s most famous illuminated manuscript, this magnificent work highlighted…
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Did you know that Halloween comes from an Ancient Celtic Festival? The Hibernian Heritage of Hallowe’en Hallowe’een (or Oíche Shamhna in Irish) comes from the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced Sow-wan). This festival marked the division between the light and dark seasons that made up the Celtic calendar. These seasons were also thought to symbolize the boundary between the…
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