Made famous by intricate designs, Irish lace became financially important to Ireland during the potato famine of the 1840s, or the mid 19th century. The famine created a domino effect that caused the poor to be knocked down to an even lower bracket and the Catholic Ursuline nuns who came to Ireland believed Irish […]
Irish folklore has been passed from generation to generation for many centuries. The central premise revolves around superstitions and beliefs that the Irish have retained century upon century. While a majority of Irish legends are heavily influenced by superstition, they have successfully preserved a portion of the Irish culture. What’s for certain is Ireland is […]
Just last Wednesday most Irish Catholics made a 40 day sacrificial commitment in honor of the Lenten Season. If your sacrifice involved a sugary snack such as soda, coffee, candy or “___fill in the blank___” sweet snack, you might be experiencing sugar withdrawals by now. Any sacrifice made in the name of this season is […]
Any immigrant living in the United States has experienced difficulty preserving their culture and identity. Becoming influenced by their new, principal culture is natural, but most feel the desire to preserve their heritage. That desire to preserve one’s history is usually amplified when we become parents. We want the next generation to know where we […]
There’s just something special and heartwarming about the process of selecting fabric and then working it through your hands as you create a blanket or a quilt. Irish quilting has a history dating back to the 18th century. Some say the date was 1804 while others say it was really 1814. In the United States, […]
The meaning and celebration of Valentine’s Day translates well between most countries and cultures. February the 14th is a day coated with thoughts and actions of love and gifts. Most every woman desires to be remembered by their spouse or significant other on the day that’s dotted with chocolates, candied hearts, flowers and cards. Valentine’s […]
Winter officially began Sunday, December 21st and looking out my window today at the snow-covered ground further confirmed that Winter is in full swing. I think we did what most families would do at the sight of the season’s first light snow fall — we put on our Winter coats and shuffled in the snow […]
Christmas markets are a wonderful way to prepare for the festivities of The Twelve Days of Christmas, or Christmas in Ireland. Christmas for Irish Catholics launch on Christmas Eve and come to an end on January 6. Although Christmas is a religious holiday for many, Irish Christmas markets give one the opportunity to immerse themselves […]
Our guest post today is written by Jeannette Swanson. Many Irish festivals thrown in the United States are put on to preserve and celebrate all facets of Irish, Irish American and Celtic cultures. Americans from either Irish or non-Irish decent will be able to experience the culture and spirit of Irish heritage through these fine […]
Our guest post today is written by Jeannette Swanson A good Irish beer should not only be consumed on St. Patrick’s Day. For those of us who can’t regularly make it back to the Emerald Isle, we’ve chosen five beers unique enough to have been rated a Top Irish Beer by many critics. Beer experts […]
