Holly branches festooned in red berries together with ivy leaves were transformed into festive Christmas decorations when I was growing up in Ireland. Have you ever wondered why this beautiful greenery is associated with Christmas? Why are we drawn to nature at this time of year, when the days are longer and the nights seem […]
Holidays In Ireland
Christmas, Easter, and Saint Patrick's Day are major holidays in Ireland with some unique customs and cultures associated with each special time.
Easy Pumpkin Carving – Book Giveaway
This Halloween 64 million Americans will carve a pumpkin, but did you know the Irish brought the tradition of carving pumpkins at Halloween to America? Note: This post contains affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission should you choose to purchase a product through this link. The price you pay does not […]
In The Words Of Saint Patrick
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Today’s the day when the whole world is a little bit Irish. But this year, rather than getting carried away with the wearing of the green, or drowning of the shamrock with green beer, or indulging in fluorescent green “Irish” food, I thought I would simply take a look at some […]
Why Celebrating New Year In January Is A Relatively New Custom In Ireland
Did you know that marking the beginning of each new year on January 1st is a relatively new custom in Ireland? Believe it or not, this practice is less than 300 years old. Until recent years New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations were very subdued in Ireland. The Irish national folklore archive does […]
A Candle In The Window – An Irish Christmas Tradition
Lighting a candle in the window is a Christmas Eve memory I cherish from my Irish childhood. Every Christmas Eve we placed a single red candle in the window. My mother always told me we were lighting the way for Mary and Joseph on their way to find the stable in Bethlehem. Our family candle […]
Freckles The Elf Sprinkles Christmas Magic On The Global Irish Community
“Freckles the Elf” has arrived to bring Christmas magic to Ireland and all over the globe this holiday season. Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to this new Christmas elf from the Emerald Isle and his creator Evelyn McGlynn. A native of Donegal, Ireland, Evelyn Mc Glynn penned the book, “Freckles The Elf: Christmas Magic […]
Happy Independence Day 2016
Happy 4th of July! I LOVE America’s birthday. It’s wonderful how it lands at the beginning of hot and steamy July, perfect for family get-togethers, barbecues, and having good old fashioned fun. I often wonder how Jefferson would view our celebrations today, including fireworks, beer drinking, non-stop-all-day eating, and crazy American flag themed garb, […]
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Around The World
This week we will commemorate Ireland’s patron saint, but rest assured we are not alone in our celebrations. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all around the world, in over 190 countries, the obvious places being Ireland, the US, Canada and Australia! With New York being the first additional place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in […]
Romance And The Irish
Especially for Valentine’s Day, I thought we might explore the topic of romance and the Irish. I know we are not world renowned romantics like the French and the Italians, but Ireland is a land of poets and balladeers, so we must have a romantic side too. Sending Anonymous Valentine’s Cards: When I was […]
St. Brigid – A Strong Irish Woman
St. Brigid epitomizes everything a strong Irish woman should be, and she holds a special place in many Irish hearts, including mine. Image Credit When we think of Irish saints, good old St. Patrick first springs to mind, but let’s face it, he was a blow-in from England, France or Wales … nobody knows for […]
