National traditions of Ireland, habits and characteristics of local residents. Irish customs and traditions

A country known for its pubs, fiery dances and hospitality, Ireland is amazing and unique.

The Emerald Isle is buried in greenery, the warm Gulf Stream provides an opportunity for a beach holiday, and local music and dance festivals present an enchanting show - a hospitable country opens up all its riches to tourists, and don't be surprised at how diverse they are!

The warm climate near the Gulf Stream allows you to enjoy mild weather in summer (about +25 C), winter is also not distinguished by severe frosts, snow is rare here, and the temperature is kept in the region of +7 C. The natural reserves of Bourne-Vincent, Carra and Phoenix are best will tell you about the richness of flora and fauna.

Picturesque villages against the backdrop of endless heather fields, ancient castles, azure fjords, crystal lakes, where it is so pleasant to spend warm summer days.

Seascapes, hills and plains buried in greenery, sandy beaches and stormy waves of the Atlantic - the landscape changes at every turn, however, like the weather itself - the locals say that all four seasons can change in one day.

Beach Ireland (yes, don't be surprised!) Is environmentally friendly Bray, Danegal, Waterfjord. The beaches of these resort towns have been awarded blue flags, confirming the cleanliness and high level of service. Here you will be offered standard water activities - diving, fishing, surfing, active entertainment and nightlife.

Abandoned castles and fortresses, where legends of leprechauns, fairies and elves seem to come to life, are scattered throughout the country.

One of the religious buildings, the Newgrange burial, is located near the capital, by the way, it is believed that it was created more than 3000 years BC. e. A huge mound, surrounded by vertical stone boulders with inscriptions in the ancient Celtic language, rock paintings and other artifacts.

In the glorious Dublin, the capital of Ireland, quiet medieval streets are actively transforming today, turning into a dynamic metropolis. Now it is the largest European center filled with modern transport interchanges, clubs and brand boutiques. Take a look at Trinity College, visit Ireland's largest church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and be sure to wander the maze of streets around Temple Bar.

The traditions of the Irish people have evolved over the centuries, and music has always occupied a special place, and you can watch the world-famous Irish dances at numerous festivals, carnivals and street performers.

Well, you can't visit Ireland and not sit in its legendary bars. Incendiary music, for lovers of stronger drinks - wonderful whiskey with aromatic vegetable stew, potato pancakes "boxy" or pork sausages. Favorite tourist souvenirs - musical instruments, shamrocks of all kinds, Jameson whiskey and Guinness beer.

Cultural features

The culture of Ireland is incredibly rich and diverse in its customs and traditions. For a long time, fairs have been held here, which are accompanied by folk dances, acrobatic performances, magicians' performances and sports competitions.

Another interesting tradition is that on the days preceding the New Year, the doors of houses are left open so that everyone who comes would feel like a welcome guest. The general trust that reigns in the country, especially during the festivities, helps to maintain this custom.

They prepare for it long before the start, think over costumes and plan parties. Traditionally, everyone wears green clothes and gathers for a large, colorful parade.

National holidays

• January 1 - New Year;
• February 1 - Saint Brigitte's Day, the first day of spring, the Imbolc holiday;
• March 17 - St. Patrick's Day, Ireland's national holiday;
• Holy Friday (Good Friday, the last Friday before Easter) is not considered a public holiday, but on this day most Irish banks and companies are closed;
• Easter;
• May 1 - The first day of summer, Beltane holiday;
• June 24 - St. John's Day, the longest day of the year;
• August 1 - First day of autumn, harvest, Lughnasad festival;
• September 29 - St. Michael's Day;
• October 31 - Night of Samhain, the eve of "All Saints Day", the first day of winter;
• December 25 - Christmas;
• December 26 - St. Stephen's Day.

Kitchen

Irish cuisine is not chasing delights, it adheres to rather simple to prepare, but from this no less tasty and hearty dishes. In this country, meat is in favor, it is a component of many dishes beloved by local residents. One of the most popular is "Irish stew", which is made from lamb stewed with potatoes, onions, herbs and caraway seeds.

Potato dishes such as soups, a variety of pies, casseroles, pancakes and lots of mashed potatoes are also held in high esteem. Due to the fact that Ireland is an island state, seafood is common here: salmon, salmon, flounder, various shellfish, pike, eel, etc.

Of non-alcoholic drinks, the Irish prefer tea, and of alcohol, beer, several types of ale and whiskey are popular. Ireland is home to famous brands such as Bushmills and Jameson.

Shopping

Shopping in Ireland is an incredible pleasure, and a moderate flow of tourists allows you to go shopping in a comfortable calm atmosphere and buy your favorite things at affordable, not overpriced prices.

Most of the souvenirs are adorned with the country's popular symbol, the green shamrock. It is believed to bring good luck to its owner. You will also find many figurines of leprechauns - men who value gold the most and protect it from treasure hunters.

For souvenirs, look for musical instruments such as bagpipes or flute, or if you are on a tight budget, get a CD of traditional Irish music. In cold winter, cozy merino wool sweaters decorated with Celtic ornaments will perfectly warm you.

A real Irish whiskey will be an excellent gift for a man, and Baileys and Sheridan's sweet liqueurs will certainly delight women.

Shops in Ireland are open from 9:00 to 18:00. On Thursdays and Fridays, shopping centers are open until 9:00.

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The people of Ireland are renowned for their friendliness and courtesy. They treat guests of their country with lively interest and hospitality, regardless of their nationality. The only exceptions are the British, who are treated with caution and slight distrust by the Irish. A distinctive feature of the local population is attentiveness, they always strive to provide all possible assistance to those in need. Irish people do not accept unnecessary tactile contact. Men only hug at big events like soccer. The main greeting in Ireland is a raised index finger when meeting. Smoking of tobacco products is prohibited in catering establishments, cinemas and hotels. But visitors to the bars traditionally treat their friends to drinks. But on his birthday, it is not the birthday boy who treats his friends to a drink, but vice versa.

Sweets and flowers are considered good gifts in this country. Even flowers sent the next day after communication will be appreciated. The formal communication takes place over a long lunch. Irish people are very unpunctual, so they rarely come to meetings on time. For negotiations, the Irish prefer dark-colored suits; locals often grab umbrellas for business meetings. The main topics of conversation are politics, sports and family. Do not touch on the topic of religion and relations between Ireland and the UK. Indigenous Irish people are immensely proud of their cultural values \u200b\u200band respect those travelers who are interested in their local customs and traditions. The customs of the ancestors continue to be observed today, the inhabitants proudly talk about them.

The Irish are hospitable and friendly towards tourists, and, unlike residents of other countries, are trusting and hospitable. All strangers in their mind are practically future friends, whom they simply do not know yet. Any Irishman will be happy to tell you how to find a particular street, landmark or hotel, as well as answer all your questions. On holidays, every guest of the country will feel at home among the cheerful Irish, a long-awaited guest who is treated like a family member. During holidays and festivals, thousands of people take to the streets in the national color of Ireland - green. This color is fully associated with the country, its endless forests. Copyright www.site

Green T-shirts, various hats of the most bizarre shapes and other bright paraphernalia accompany each event. These clothes are easy to buy in crowded places, along with other green symbols, it can immerse yourself in the celebration even more. Dancing is a must-have entertainment at any holiday. All residents are happy to dance to fiery melodies and consider the dance a work of art. On New Year's Eve in Ireland, it is customary not to close the front doors, so anyone who comes to the holiday will feel like a long-awaited guest. Trust in the holidays increases, while the number of crimes decreases. Holiday traditions are sacredly honored by all Irish people.

The main symbol in Ireland is the shamrock. It is used as an emblem by sports teams, troops, universities and other organizations. He is also depicted on the official images of the country: stamps, seals and insignia of both state and military. The shamrock should not be confused with the four-leaf clover, which brings good luck. In Ireland, locals prefer to relax after work not in cafes and restaurants, which are abundant in the country, but in pubs. They believe that such a homely atmosphere and hospitality is not found anywhere else. In local pubs, you should definitely try the dark Guinness beer, which is one of the country's main treasures. Local residents have been producing it for many centuries.

In the culture and customs of the Irish, one can easily trace the habits and traditions of the peoples who once inhabited the island - from fishermen and hunters of ancient times to the warlike Celts who came to these lands three centuries before the onset of a new era. Like any people, the Irish strive to preserve their identity. It manifests itself in the national cuisine, and in special dances, and in the habits of the indigenous population, and in local bright holidays. The locals willingly demonstrate the most interesting traditions of Ireland to guests, because among the features of the national character are openness, friendliness and hospitality.

Patrick and the clover leaf

Two of the most famous symbols of the country - St. Patrick and the shamrock - haunt the traveler in Ireland literally on every corner. The patron saint of the country converted it to the Christian faith, thus winning the deep respect of posterity. For every Irishman, St. Patrick's Day is the most beloved and main holiday, celebrated on a grand scale and in excellent mood.
On March 17, according to the tradition of Ireland, the whole country goes to parades in green clothes, folk songs are heard everywhere, the Guinness River flows and even the water in some rivers and fountains turns green. Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world, where ethnic Irish people live or simply there are fans of dark beer and rhythmic dancing.

For future speakers

Another tradition in Ireland is about kissing with ... a stone. It is part of the famous Skunk Stone and is built into the wall of Blarney Castle. A kiss with an ancient relic, according to the Irish, bestows special eloquence to the participant of the ceremony. To carry out the ritual, one has to hang from a high parapet in a special way, which, in case of failure, threatens serious injuries. Statistics are silent on what percentage of those who kissed a cold block have achieved unprecedented success in the art of public speaking, but many still perform a strange ritual. By the way, this landmark of Ireland is recognized as "the most unhygienic in Europe."

Useful little things

• When greeting an Irishman, shake his hand firmly and greet him, looking into his eyes. So you show the interlocutor that you trust him and your thoughts are pure.
• Do not strive to be in time for a meeting at the right time. Irish traditions allow you to be a little late and this will not be negatively perceived.
• When entering a store, restaurant or other premises, be sure to say hello, and when leaving, say goodbye. Politeness is a pleasant trait of the Irish and they expect the same behavior from guests.

Northern Ireland - an infrequent guest in travel brochures, they do not come here for a beach vacation or shopping tours. However, this country has something to surprise and interest a tourist who is tired of everyday destinations.

about the country

According to british customs Northern Ireland is traditionally called a country, although it is not an independent state. Since 1921 it has been part of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. After the proclamation of Ireland's independence from Great Britain, 6 counties of the historic province of Ulster received the right to a referendum on independent secession from the British Empire.

Local residents, mostly Protestants, voted to remain part of Britain.

And so it was formed administrative part United Kingdom - Northern Ireland.

The population of Northern Ireland is 1 million 800 thousand people and is mixed:

• 55 % - protestants of British descent from Scotland;
• 45 % - irish Catholic, the indigenous people of the island.

Main resort areas and cities

The main resort and tourist areas of Northern Ireland include:

1. Capital city Belfast with numerous historical and spa facilities;
2. City Londonderry (local Irish Catholics prefer to call him simply Derry) suitable for lovers of the seaside;
3. Small town Antrim in the county of the same name is considered the center of ecotourism.

Tradition and culture

Northern Ireland culture is mixed... On the one hand, this is a traditional British culture with English customs and traditions, on the other, Irish culture, which originates in the ancient Celtic history of the indigenous inhabitants of the island. For example, St. Patrick's Day is considered a public holiday in Northern Ireland, unlike the UK.

Back in Northern Ireland I was very fond of monday, almost every month on this day of the week there is a day off, for example:

• June - on the first Monday of the first summer month;
• Augustow - the first day of the week of the first month of August;
• October - on the last Monday of this month;
• Easter Monday - celebrated first after the day of Holy Resurrection.

Read in about the location of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the map of the world and Europe.

In all cities, mainly two-storey houses, as residents claim that they are dizzy above the second floor.

Even if you speak English perfectly, there may still be problems translating an Irish accent. The inhabitants of the emerald land are very strong distort wordsfor example, the name of popular beer bars in English is pronounced "pub", while the Irish have a different opinion on pronunciation - they pronounce "pub".

Attractions - photos with names

Despite its modest size and population, Northern Ireland retained a bunch of interesting historical sights.

In addition, the country is developing culturally and recently there have been many interesting sites recommended for visiting.

Monuments

In Northern Ireland, the most famous are monuments and works made in the framework of contemporary art.

• Big fish in Belfast - one of the most famous landmarks in the city. Installed in 1999 by John Caidness. The 10-meter fish is covered with "scales", which are tiles with texts and images about the history of Belfast.
• A striking example of modern art - metal sculpture "Girl on the Ball"located in the center of Belfast on the Lagan River embankment. The monument fell in love with tourists for its originality and impressive size - the height of the "girl" is more than 19 meters.

An unusual historical landmark in Belfast is the numerous street graffitipainted on the walls of the buildings of this city.

Most of the drawings are devoted to political and armed confrontation two communities of the city: Irish Catholics and Protestant Unionists. Although the confrontation of the communities ended almost 20 years ago, the walls of Belfast houses are still decorated with more than 2 thousand images dedicated to this sad page in the history of Northern Ireland.

Temples, cathedrals, castles

Northern Ireland is real country of castles... A turbulent history with numerous invasions and internal clan struggles contributed to the construction and maintenance of these defensive buildings.

Architectural buildings

As part of the British Empire, Northern Ireland followed the same architectural path as Great Britain. Lovers of architecture will find a lot of interesting things here.

Museums

In Belfast and other cities in Northern Ireland, you can visit interesting museums, such as:

• Titanic Museum, opened just a few years ago, has already gained immense popularity. Housed in an impressive modern building, the museum is the largest sunken British ship exhibition on Earth. The presence of this museum in Belfast should not be surprising, because it was in this city that the liner was built and launched in 1911;
• Ulster Museum in Belfast is dedicated to the history of Ireland, archaeological finds, jewelry, art and science. In the international department of the museum, the Egyptian hall with the mummy of Princess Takabuchi is of particular interest;
• Shilin Irish Lace Museum located in the village of Bellanalek. The museum has more than 700 exhibits of ancient hand-made lace, including the 19th century. The museum has a shop where you can buy handmade clothes and lace.

Check out the most famous landmarks of the planet in, from what you see is breathtaking!

Gardens and parks

You can take a break from the bustle of the city in local parks, gardens or alleys.

Natural attractions

The nature of Northern Ireland is distinguished by the harsh and somewhat monotonous beauty of the moorlands and rocky seashores. At the same time, there are also some very interesting natural sites here.

The most popular natural site in Northern Ireland - Giant's Road, or the Giants' Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a unique natural monument of more than 40 thousand basalt columns formed by a volcanic eruption.

The height of the largest of the columns reaches 12 meters... Most of the columns are hexagonal, although there are columns with a different number of corners. Joined together, they form a road leading from the edge of the cliff to the cliff. The Giants' Road is located near the city of Bushmills in the northeast of the island.

On ratlin Island the Irish Sea is accessible by ferry from Ballycastle. In this special protected area of \u200b\u200bNorthern Ireland you can watch birds and seals, explore sea caves or go diving among 40 shipwrecks.

Marble Arch Caves are under the protection of UNESCO. The excursion inside the caves takes more than an hour, part of the way is overcome by boat along an underground river. Marble Arch is also famous for its stalactite over 2 meters in size.

Any visits to the caves are possible only with a specially trained guide, because you can easily get lost there.

1. Northern Ireland should not be confused, although they are on the same island, but this is absolutely different countries.
2. Summer - the best time for a trip to Northern Ireland. There is nothing to worry about in the local winter, but rains and strong winds will not add comfort during winter travel;
3. If you happen to visit Northern Ireland in the summer, don't miss the annual Orange marches Protestants taking place on 12 July. The sight is impressive and in our time practically safe;
4. British cuisine is unlikely to be able to surprise you with its exquisite taste, but in the local Irish it is quite possible to find something interesting, well, at least irish bread or bacon with cabbage;
5. Visit town Bushmills and its oldest whiskey distillery in the world, making whiskey for centuries. Tasting of the distillery products is attached to the tour.

See interesting facts about the sights of Northern Ireland in this video:

Today we will tell you about the Irish holidays, which, like any other country in the Kingdom, are distinguished by their amazing traditions. In northwest Europe, there is one of the three largest islands in this part of the world - the island of Ireland. This land area, washed from all sides by the ocean and seas, amazes with the beauty of its nature, which seemed to have absorbed all shades of green. It is for this plant wealth that the island of Ireland was nicknamed the emerald country. Although technically there are two countries on this island, two different states are the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the Kingdom of Great Britain.

In faraway Northern Ireland, holidays and traditions associated with them, like any other nation, are carefully passed down from generation to generation. The name of this process is the cultural heritage of the people, which determines the rules, scenarios of behavior and norms of social life. It is not hard to guess that on the island, where nature is one of the most precious treasures of the state, many holidays are dedicated to her or the seasons.

For example, one of the most long-awaited holidays in the spring season in Ireland is "May Holiday", which means May Holiday in Russian. Residents of the "emerald" country celebrate it on the first Monday in May. In addition to him, every year residents of the country celebrate several more similar holidays.

Ireland is a country where a day of the week like Monday seems to be highly respected. Judge for yourself, on the first Monday of the first month of summer the Irish have a June holiday. And the very first Monday in August is called the August weekend. And even in the middle of autumn, on the last Monday of the tenth month, the cheerful Irish people celebrate the October day off. And how can you fail to mention Easter Monday, which is celebrated on the first Monday after Bright Resurrection.

In addition to these "Happy Mondays", Irish national holidays include:

• December 25 - Nativity of Christ
• December 26 - St. Stephen's Day
• January 1 - New Year
• before Easter - Holy Friday
• March 17 - St. Patrick's Day.

But considering what the Irish people are after all, they have a lot more holidays than one could describe. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with those that are advised to visit and see all tourists.

How New Years are celebrated in Northern Ireland

One of the funniest and most beloved winter holidays in Northern Ireland is, of course, New Year, which the whole world celebrates on January 1st. What is the difference between this holiday in the country from the "emerald island"? Don't they decorate the Christmas tree or give presents? No, all this, of course, is available. But, in addition to the green beauty, decorated with various toys, Northern Ireland has its own very interesting New Year's customs and traditions.

For example, on the evening of December 31, the Irish open the front door of their house to "let the Old Year out and the New Year to pass." And everyone who enters the house with him at this time will be the most welcome guest. There is something pagan about it, isn't there? With approximately the same deep meaning, on this day, candles are always lit by the window, bells are ringing, and loud songs are sung. And after the chimes strike midnight, residents of Northern Ireland love to gather in big noisy companies and go to celebrate the holiday in the streets and squares of their city.

In truth, there are probably no such public holidays in Ireland that the inhabitants of this cheerful country would celebrate in a close family circle at home. And what can you say about pagan festivals such as Celtic Halloween or Beltane. Parades, dances, jokes and songs, bonfires and firecrackers - all this is an integral part of the holidays of the emerald island.

Irish religious holidays in honor of the Saints

The Irish are a very religious people. And therefore, it is not surprising that special days associated with the names of the Saints revered in this country have become important national holidays in Ireland.

On the first day of February, the Irish celebrate Saint Brigitte's Day with special respect - it is believed that it was Brigitte who helped the Virgin Mary during childbirth. On this day, reed-woven crosses are hung on the front doors of Irish houses, and ribbons and paper strips are hung on trees and bushes. The Irish believe that all this brings prosperity to their home.

But the most important among the national holidays in Ireland is, of course, St. Patrick's Day - the patron saint and protector of Ireland. The celebrations take place all day and night, March 17, in one of the most unusual ways. The Irish believe in the legend that Saint Patrick, long before his death, found out the date of his death and commanded to remember him on this day not with weeping, but with joy. And the Irish have never violated his request.

Every year St. Patrick's Day in Ireland is celebrated with a noisy parade, where "young and old" dress up in the world famous red wigs and funny green caps, arm themselves with a clover pot and have fun with melodious Irish music. And with the coming of night, hundreds of fireworks are lit in the sky in honor of St. Patrick.