Every visitor to Ireland should have some background information on the history and culture of the island. This will not only help to make sense of it all, it will also lead to a much deeper appreciation and more enjoyment of the visit.
Dracula was the smash hit of 1897 – the convoluted novel by Irish author Bram Stoker became an instant classic of the supernatural or Gothic genre.
Bram Stoker hit the publishing jackpot with his supernatural thriller Dracula, a rewriting of vampire lore in an unusual format that conjured authenticity by relying on diary entries, letters and excerpts from other writings.
C.S. Lewis, born in Belfast, was the author of the hugely popular „Narnia“ books. The first of these „Chronicles of Narnia“ was published as „The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe“ in 1950.
Irish history can be complicated, but there are some key dates and events that every visitor should be aware of. Look back on 10,000 years from the prehistoric first appearance of mankind on the Emerald Isle via St. Patrick's mission to the ongoing peace process.
When visiting Ireland you might get confused - what exactly is the difference between a wedge tomb and a passage tomb? Let me help you out with some basic explanations.
For all the hundreds of words written by and millions of words written about Ireland's patron saint, we have to admit to not knowing a lot about Patrick. The only undisputed record of Patrick's life are his scarce biographical sketches in the "Confessio" and the letter to Coroticus' soldiers.
Today's celebrations on Saint Patrick's Day have more a touch of "mardi gras" than pious observances in most Irish towns. But this is a fairly recent development. Apart from celebrating the saint's death with a special church service on March 17th, only two traditions were really observed in the past.
Parades on Saint Patrick's day are not originally Irish, they are an American invention. And far from being a celebration of ethnic and religious inclusiveness, as they are in most places today, they started as manifestations of WASP culture.
Saint Patrick through modern eyes - an image gallery highlighting the differing depictions of Ireland's Patron Saint Patrick.
Have you ever wondered what these round towers were for, who used tower houses or what an Ogham-stone is? All are relics from the Irish middle ages, dozens of them are literally dotted around Ireland.
When one mentions a Celtic cross, this automatically summons up the image of a Latin (conventional) cross with the stem and arms linked by a circular addition. This specific form of the main Christian symbol may have had its origin in Ireland, though it is also known in Cornwall, Wales, Northern England and parts of Scotland.
The High Crosses of Ireland are often called "sermons in stone" ... find out why in this image gallery.
Often copied, but never with the grandiose splendour of the immense "scripture crosses", the originals are still to be found all over Ireland. Threehundred in all, though some are jigsaw puzzles missing the bulk of their pieces. Here are some High Crosses worth seeking out ...
On July 1st, 1690, two armies consisting of Danish, French, Dutch, Huguenot, German, English and Irish troops met on the banks of the River Boyne near Drogheda. The Battle of the Boyne was not decisive in any way. It wasn't even about Ireland - yet it became one of the most iconic events in Irish history.
The Battle of the Boyne, remembered every year by Loyalists with enthusiasm and colorful parades, is one of the most iconic events in Irish history - surrounded by mythology. Not always near to the historical truth ...
Controlling body of all Gaelic Games is the GAA, the Gaelic Athletic Association, founded in 1884. Here it is decided who plays whom when and where according to what rules. Or who is not allowed to play – because sport for the GAA is a national issue, often seen from a nationalistic viewpoint. Which sometimes verged on the ridiculous.
The Easter Rising of 1916 was one of the defining moments in the struggle for Irish independence - indeed it may be regarded as the turning point for the fortunes of Irish republicanism. And this despite the fact that the rebellion was a total failure.
The History of Ireland is long and complicated - and one of the results was the creation of two separate states on this tiny island. As this event and the current situation continues to mystify visitors let us try to explain what happened.
One of the more scurrilous chapters in the history of Irish sport was written by an alliance featuring the Gaelic Athletic Association, the Gaelic League and a liberal sprinkling of artists. These together came up with the brilliant idea of a "World Meeting of the Celtic Race".
A short introduction to the Irish words and phrases visitors are most likely to encounter.
As a traditional Irish Halloween involved staying at home anyway this was the time to have fun and games. Some with a slightly mystical twist - divining the future was important in this samhain night of open channels to the otherworlds. Here are some Irish hints to get a glimpse into the future at Halloween ...
With Halloween parades and carnivals entertaining the masses and Irish children going trick-or-treating with plastic pumpkins you might be excused for thinking that the Celtic feast of samhain is dead. But stop ... is this not the night the dead can return? And indeed they do ...
Have you ever wondered how the Irish-Celtic feast of samhain became the carnival-like Halloween? Blame the popes, the reformation and European emigration.
November 1st was traditionally known as samhain, literally translated the "end of summer" and pronounced something like sow-een. This was the end of the Celtic year, the start of winter, a time for reflection. and part of a sometimes confusing tradition ... culminating in our modern Halloween.
What did the Irish eat at samhain? Lots - the larders were full, the year's work was done, time to dig in ... find out what typical Irish Halloween foods you can prepare.
