Ireland

Most people if asked what is the symbol of Ireland would probably answer the shamrock. But they would absolutely be wrong. The true symbol of Ireland is the ancient Irish harp.

The National Symbol of Ireland

The Irish Harp is the

Ancient Irish folklore has many stories of beautiful and strong Irish women of the past. Celtic women have often been depicted as holding positions of great importance, and highly valued in a very male dominated Celtic tribal society. Irish women have been venerated as a goddesses, saints, as warriors even royalty and at the same time they have been portrayed as someone to fear. I am sure the truth about ancient Irish women in Irish mythology and folklore lies somewhere between fantasy and reality.   

Grace O’Malley, the 16th Century Pirate Queen of Ireland...

Grace O’Malley was born in Ireland in around 1530. She was the daughter of Owen O'Malley. O’Malley was a wealthy nobleman and sea trader. When O'Malley died Grace inherited his larg

One of Ireland's unique and darker traditions, celebrated on December 26th, relates to killing a small bird in revenge for betraying St Stephen.
"Hunting the Wren" is an Irish tradition that is believed to pre-date Christian times. It sounds pretty cruel, where basically the tiny bird is captured, killed and tied to a pole. Local musicians and dancers would then dress in garish disguises and go house to house collecting money, food and drink for a party. Woe betide the house that did not donate to the cause “ the wren " could be buried outside their door which would bring 12 months of bad luck!

King of the Birds or Traitor of Saints??
The wren is considered the "King of the Birds" and is also associated with the o

The Claddagh ring is a famous Irish ring with a love story that transcends time. The story of the Claddagh Ring is one of enduring love that began long, long ago in 1675 in the small fishing village of Claddagh in County Galway, Ireland. It all began when a young lad by the name Richard Joyce. The Joyce family is one of the famous Tribes of Galway. An Irish fisherman who was very much in love with an enchanting Irish lass he was hoping to one day betroth. Unfortunately he was captured at sea by pirates from Algeria. The wicked pirates sold Richard

Did you know that Ireland, the beautiful emerald isle, was one of the very first countries to adopt the use of surnames or better yet Irish surnames? Many the Irish surnames of come from the reign of Brian Boru and the clans of that time. Brian Boru was the High King of Ireland who was defeated protecting Ireland from a Vikings invasion.

Like many surnames, Irish surnames were started to identify a son separately from his father or a grandson from his grandfather but from them. Irish