THE BEST KNOWN IRISH TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

1.- IRISH MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Ireland provides one of the richest lores and mythological timelines in Western Europe with individual characters becoming world famous. The terrifying wailing Banshee would warn families of tragic personal losses and accompany the recently passed to the afterlife. Some say the Banshee was originally a young woman tragically killed in so brutal a manner she now spends her days as a spirit warning the living of impending death.

2.- IRISH DANCING

Irish dancing became internationally popular in the 1990s after the success of Riverdance but Irish dance takes many forms including jigs, reels, step dancing and ceili dances. Irish dancing also has a unique fashion sense, with dresses based on designs found in the Book of Kells and the famous hard shoes that produce clicks in time to the movements of the dance were developed in the 19th Century.

3.- IRISH MUSIC

Music plays a great part in Irish culture and many pubs across the island will host live music. Traditional Irish music typically employs world instruments such as the fiddle, piano and acoustic guitar combined with home-grown instruments like Irish bouzoukis, Uilleann pipes and the Celtic harp aka cláirseach, the official symbol of Ireland.