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Aftercare for Hullachan soft reel Shoes.

The foot has 125 thousand sweat glands and that can produce half a litre of perspiration when wearing your shoes at a competition. Its natural but the shoe
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Aftercare for Hullachan soft reel Shoes.

The foot has 125 thousand sweat glands and that can produce half a litre of perspiration when wearing your shoes at a competition. Its natural but the shoe…
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I hope you’ve been enjoying my posts lately. I thought I might do something different today and rustle up a few bits of info from around the WWW. These are some of the news items and blog posts that have been popular over the last few weeks. Leave me your thoughts.

An Daire Irish Dance, Logan UT: HALLOWEEN PARTY

Welcome to An Daire Irish Dance in Logan, Cache Valley's ONLY certified Irish dance school! Read the rest of this entry »

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Back with more news for you today. It’s amazing how much good information there is on this stuff out there if you know where to look. Three in particular that I found really valuable were…

Tatton Park (Sept 18)

The trip was organized by the university at a price of 5 pounds which include barbecue dinner, followed by Irish dance (which I did not participate,d-uh). Back to the pale-ness. We went to Tatton Read the rest of this entry »

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I hope you’ve been enjoying my posts lately. I thought I might do something different today and rustle up a few bits of info from around the WWW. These are some of the news items and blog posts that have been popular over the last few weeks. Leave me your thoughts.

Foy School of Irish Dance, Des Moines Satellite Location: A few …

Welcome to the Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance, Des Moines Satellite Read the rest of this entry »

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Hey Readers! I’ve been comin across some crazy stuff the past few days from a few different blogs around the web which I just had to share with you. Check em out below…

Herald Palladium > Features > Steppin’ out again

Flatley, the first American to win the All-World Championship in Irish Dance and The Guinness Book of World Records holder for having "the world's fastest feet" at 35 taps Read the rest of this entry »

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I hope you’ve been enjoying my posts lately. I thought I might do something different today and rustle up a few bits of info from around the WWW. These are some of the news items and blog posts that have been popular over the last few weeks. Leave me your thoughts.

Irish Dance Group - Irish Step Dancing 2009 | Gołąb Family

I just love the Irish dancing and in our quest to learn all about Ireland, Read the rest of this entry »

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If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts lately you’ll know I’ve come to adding a few news posts from around the web on this subject. I’ve got a couple more today that are new and updated, so let me know what you think of em…

Diddlyi Spotlight: Olivia Kulcsar

I love Feet of Flames, as I got involved into Irish dancing more or less thanks to it. I [also] really admire some of the world champions. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ok so you might find the next few links interesting. These are from around the web, just random snippets that I’ve picked up in my reading, but I found some very cool information in them. You might too. Here goes…

What Shoes to Wear When Irish Dancing | Bukisa.com

This dance video focus' on Irish dancing and the different shoes you need for the different Irish dances.

Around the Bubbler: The Guthries, Jungle Jack and Irish dance Read the rest of this entry »

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How about these right… I think you’ll find the following nuggets of wisdom particularly insightful. Leave your comments below. Check out the second one in particular…

No Classes Next Week (Novemeber 3rd and 4th)

Make up classes will be held Sunday November 8th at Grace Ballet Studio 6564 NW 6th Dr. Des Moines Tuesday Dancers 3:00p Wednesday Dancers 4:00p.

Irish Dance Shoes Are All The Rage | Diddlyi Mag Read the rest of this entry »

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Ok so you might find the next few links interesting. These are from around the web, just random snippets that I’ve picked up in my reading, but I found some very cool information in them. You might too. Here goes…

New Irish Dance Choreography: Comparing Myself to… Myself …

I've never been the quickest at picking up brand new steps. Yes I can master steps as good as anyone and perform them Read the rest of this entry »

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Hey Readers! I’ve been comin across some crazy stuff the past few days from a few different blogs around the web which I just had to share with you. Check em out below…

"The Streets"

Nigel H has been playing in his hometown of Dublin since 1992 back in the early days of the Irish dance scene. His first event was at the infamous Mansion House, one of first weekly underground dance Read the rest of this entry »

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Ok so 3 more posts today that I’ve dug up - I’m an information JUNKIE on this stuff lately. Give em a browse and let me know what ya reckon. They’re just from a few different sites I’ve been surfing lately that are generally good for information like this…

A note from Geraldine

Good luck to Jon Alexander, Caitlin Daly and Megan Daly at the North American Irish Dance Championships being held in Nashville, Read the rest of this entry »

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If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts lately you’ll know I’ve come to adding a few news posts from around the web on this subject. I’ve got a couple more today that are new and updated, so let me know what you think of em…

Missionaries of the Eucharist: Dancing with the Toweys

No we are not square dancing! We are irish dancing! Durring the Missionaries of the Eucharist training at the St Vincent Read the rest of this entry »

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How about these right… I think you’ll find the following nuggets of wisdom particularly insightful. Leave your comments below. Check out the second one in particular…

Profile: Breffni School of Irish Dance : Hornpipe Magazine of …

One day, at age 10, my sister, mother and I were at a dance class in Elizabeth, New Jersey. My sister was learning steps up on the stage with one of the Peter Smith School Read the rest of this entry »

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Ok so 3 more posts today that I’ve dug up - I’m an information JUNKIE on this stuff lately. Give em a browse and let me know what ya reckon. They’re just from a few different sites I’ve been surfing lately that are generally good for information like this…

Irish Dance Hard Shoes Question?

I am beginning irish dancing (I'v been dancing for 2 around months) and my teacher said I should try and Read the rest of this entry »

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Back with more news for you today. It’s amazing how much good information there is on this stuff out there if you know where to look. Three in particular that I found really valuable were…

Paddy Rock Radio » THE IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL 2009

By bringing together thousands of people to celebrate the best in Irish music, dance, and food, while honoring our rich heritage, we are ensuring Read the rest of this entry »

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Ok so you might find the next few links interesting. These are from around the web, just random snippets that I’ve picked up in my reading, but I found some very cool information in them. You might too. Here goes…

Och, wee lads and lassies. The Highland Games!

In Irish dance, everyone has different dances for the most part. Also, it's easy to tell the championship dancers from the novice based Read the rest of this entry »

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How about these right… I think you’ll find the following nuggets of wisdom particularly insightful. Leave your comments below. Check out the second one in particular…

‘Irish Dance Experience’, Open Air Stage, Margaret Island, 5 July …

“The Irish Dance Experience is the formation of the most distinguished Irish step dancers. Its soloist and choreographer is Catherine Gallagher, multiple national Read the rest of this entry »

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Back with more news for you today. It’s amazing how much good information there is on this stuff out there if you know where to look. Three in particular that I found really valuable were…

Wednesday, 15 July, 2009 - Irish Dance Class at Kiwanis Island

Kiwanis Island Park, Merritt Island. Irish Dance Ages 6 and up 1 Hour Classes by level Instructor: Myra Watters. Wednesdays 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Thinkhouse | PR | Youth Communications | Dublin | Ireland: Dear … Read the rest of this entry »

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If you’ve been keeping up with my blog posts lately you’ll know I’ve come to adding a few news posts from around the web on this subject. I’ve got a couple more today that are new and updated, so let me know what you think of em…

2009 National Results

5 Devereaux, Bernadette Broesler School of Irish Dance 6 Bradley, Laura McGing <
fef
b>Irish Dancers 7 Woytiuk, Natasha Short School 8 Wilkes, Charlotte Murchu Read the rest of this entry »

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Ok so 3 more posts today that I’ve dug up - I’m an information JUNKIE on this stuff lately. Give em a browse and let me know what ya reckon. They’re just from a few different sites I’ve been surfing lately that are generally good for information like this…

Irish Step Dancing | Bukisa.com

If you are looking for something a little new and different when it comes to dancing, have you considered Irish Read the rest of this entry »

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Want to make your wedding extra special? Consider choosing elements from traditional wedding ceremonies around the world!

Here are some of the ways lovers come together for a lifetime in different cultures. You may find some unique ideas to personalize your own day of days.

Africa

Did you know that in some modern-day African tribes, the wrists of the bride and groom are still Read the rest of this entry »

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I bought second hand shoes from a girl at my class and although they don’t feel to small the sole really hurts the balls of my feet when I’m dancing. Does this mean that they’re too small? I can’t tell because my previous shoes were so battered that they didn’t even have a sole(!) so I’m not sure if it is just because my feet aren’t used to it. Read the rest of this entry »

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Your Guide To The Different Dance Styles For Young Kids

Are your kids looking for an after school hobby? Why don’t they join dance classes? They are a great way to build self confidence, meet new friends, and get a little bit of exercise in between. A well put together dance program can encourage individuality, creativity and ultimately, a love of dance.

If you think that maybe your kid will enjoy dancing then sign them up. There are a variety of dance styles, which can m Read the rest of this entry »

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My irish dance teacher likes me in a much lighter wig than my hair color, because it looks better on me. I am getting a wig this color-

http://www.irishstepdancingwigs.com/grai…

My hair is Dark Ash Blonde and she is putting me in Light ash blonde.

Should I Sun my hair to make it look lighter? Would it make my wig look better?

Thank you! Read the rest of this entry »

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The distinctive traditions like Claddagh rings, superstitions, a special toast, as well as kilts and bagpipes make it really easy to distinguish an Irish wedding from the wedding celebrations of other countries. Let’s take a close look at some of these unique components in the Irish wedding.

One of the most unique of all is the Claddagh ring, a traditional Irish ring made to resemble a pair of hands holding a heart with a crown. According to tradition, these rings must be passed down fr Read the rest of this entry »

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Over the centuries Ireland developed a unique style of dance, but it’s only in recent years it has come to the attention of the wider world — and here’s why.

During the interval at the 1994 Eurovision song contest, a little known group of Irish dancers called “Riverdance” brought the audience to their feet and astonished a massive world wide TV audience with their feet-tapping rhythms and colorful dance style.

Riverdance is produced by Moya Doherty and its instant popularity owes Read the rest of this entry »

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I am beginning irish dancing (I'v been dancing for 2 around months) and my teacher said I should try and buy a pair of hard shoes, because he dosent have a pair that will fit me. He said to try rutherfords, because they are wide fitting.
The problem is I live in New Zealand, the closest I can get them is Brisbane online, and they only have the rutherford black suede ones. Do you think these are too advanced for a beginner? Read the rest of this entry »

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Hey everyone, I decided it would be a great idea to post up the latest news from Google so here it is…

A lively competition afoot

For the first time in 39 years, the World Irish Dancing Championships are being held outside Ireland or the United Kingdom. During the weeklong competition, … Read the rest of this entry »

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Some wedding traditions have become universally accepted but the fact of the matter is every nation across the globe has its own set of unique customs and wedding traditions. Whether it is down to Ireland’s long history and rich heritage or just down to the jovial nature of the Irish people, one statement is true - Irish take their wedding traditions seriously.

And who would not when there is so much inspiration to draw upon?

Some traditions might sound positively archaic, while o Read the rest of this entry »

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I’ve had some time to do some reading lately and I’ve managed to come across a few really interesting posts that I thought I’d let everyone know about. Check em out and let me know your thoughts on some of the topics they talked about within -

Celtic Evening marks a decade of Irish dance - The Sarnia Observer …

The non-competitive organization features 45 dancers aged five and up who Read the rest of this entry »

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Dancing! - For many dancing expressions is one of life’s natural ways of expressing emotions. For others dance must be learned. And, alas, others seemingly have no rhythm at all; no amount of dance lessons can help! We all have various gifts and giftings.

For those who do dance it is also a given understanding that the dance clothes that we wear all show what we feel. There are many different styles of dancing in the world: tap, irish step, western, barn dancing, country Read the rest of this entry »

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A Classic momenet from Riverdance - and Michael Flatley Read the rest of this entry »

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Celebrating St. Patricks Day at Home

It is now time to take out those green clothes, tall hats, flags, face paint and wear some shamrock on your jacket, jumper or t-shirt! If you are lucky to be at home in Ireland for St Patrick’s day, you can enjoy the wonderful local St Patricks Festival in the comfort of your own town or village, the place you were brought up in, and the local community that you grew up with! St Patrick’s day is a public holiday in Ireland, so there is no excuse not to get back to your home place and enjoy the parade, where at all possible!

An added incentive for getting out and celebrating your local Saint Patrick’s Day parade is that the parade is totally free and offers a great afternoon’s entertainment for all of the family to enjoy. Many local parades feature local schools so your own children may be taking part in the colourful procession of green down your streets!

Celebrating St.Patricks Day at home has its advantages in that you can enjoy the "craic" in the local hostelries, where you can enjoy a few pints and savour the traditional Irish music that will be played. At the pub why not feast your eyes on the All Ireland GAA Club Hurling and Football Finals - what better way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day than watching the heartbeat of the GAA, the club, represented in Croke Park on Ireland’s day of national celebration! And the fact that if you are lucky to be at home, you can celebrate the day with your family and friends.

All in all, St. Patrick’s Day can be enjoyed at home in the comfort of your local community - and the festival in Dublin is probably the most colourful one in the world!

Celebrating St Patrick’s Day Abroad

St Patrick’s Day is an event that is celebrated all around the world, the celebration of all things Irish! Parades worldwide are decked out in colourful green and it is a day when everyone aspires to be Irish, and there are festival parades in all of the major cities of the world on March 17th, most particularly in places where there is an Irish diaspora. Although it is not a Federal holiday in the United States, March 17th has a long history of being celebrated with parades, with Irish Americans celebrating the pride of their Irish Heritage on this day.

If you are Irish and abroad, what better way than to celebrate the feast day in an American City? Pints of beer that are coloured green are the order of the day, along with the eating of Irish food and food that is coloured green specifically for the day! Indeed, there are wonderful St Patrick’s day parades celebrated all over the USA, and since its first parade in 1762 (it was the 247th Consecutive Parade in 2008) The New York City St Patrick’s day parade has become probably the largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the world. It has been known to have 150,000 people participating, featuring bands, firefighters, military and the police force, and communities of Irish emigrants.

The parade marches up 5th Avenue in Manhattan and up to 2 million people have been known to line the streets! If you are in the USA, what better way than to celebrate your Irishness by attending!

For the Irish in London, what better than to attend the annual London St Patrick’s Festival which takes place generally on weekends around the 17th, and takes place in Trafalgar Square. Last year, the water in the fountains at the Square was dyed green in order to add to the occasion! Find out more about the St Patrick’s Day Festival in London. And why not celebrate St Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham Racing Festival if you are in this area for the time of March 17th?

The cities of Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester also hold St Patrick’s Day Parades. Manchester actually holds its own Irish Festival to celebrate St Patrick.

The State of Quebec has a festival in its capital city Montreal called the Montreal Irish Festival. There is also a St Patricks Day Festival in Toronto.

The St Patrick’s Day Festival is well celebrated in Australia, and indeed the Sydney Festival is probably the largest festival in the Southern Hemisphere!

To summarise, there are both for and against celebrating St Patrick’s Day at home and abroad. Wherever you are, enjoy the celebrations of Ireland’s patron saint on March 17th. Remember that there is no place like home when celebrating St Patrick’s Day, and if you are able to be in your local area’s parade, you are fortunate to be near home!

By: Mairead Foley

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mairead writes for GoIreland.com - Ireland’s leading travel and accommodation website.

Check out GoIreland.com for everything you need to know before you visit Ireland. GoIreland.com has low prices for quality approved hotel, B&B, guesthouse and self catering accommodation all over the country.

Heading to Ireland for St. Patrick’s weekend? Browse GoIreland.com’s Ireland accommodation now!

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St. Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day is also known as St. Paddy’s Day or Paddy’s Day. It is an annual feast day which He is one of the most widely known figures in the Christianity. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs and Irish food and drink.
St Patrick’s Day is a time for Parades, Parties, and a pint of green bear. It is also a time to have a lot of fun and socialize with loved ones. In different cities, as a part of the St. Patrick’s celebration, it is celebrated as the national holiday of Ireland.

St Patrick’s Day is more of a religious holiday. Grand parades, community feasts, charity show mark the St Patrick’s Day celebration in Ireland. The parades, shamrocks, and green beer are provided to tourists. It is the most celebrated events in Ireland and a major tourist attraction. St. Patrick’s Day celebration involves various activities and programs. It is a multi-dimensional celebration. The city of Chicago has a unique tradition of coloring the river water green, with the green vegetable dye. Now it has turned out to be a great attraction.
Amidst celebrations that mark the social and community works like charities, attending mass and promoting culture; the unique theme of the day remains: be an Irish day. It’s a celebration for being Irish and enjoying things Irish. Cook and feast the Irish way. Laugh away all worries with Irish jokes. Dance to the tunes of the Irish bands.

Saint Patrick’s Day Symbols:
Shamrock: Shamrock is the traditional icon of the day. This stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. The shamrock was chosen Ireland’s national emblem. He used shamrocks in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day. Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green and drinking beer. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated just a few days before the first day of spring.

Leprechaun: The name leprechaun comes from the old Irish word "luchorpan" which means "little body." A leprechaun is an Irish fairy and it looks like a small, old man about 2 feet tall. He is often dressed like a shoemaker with a crooked hat. Legend has it, that leprechauns stay aloof and unfriendly. They live alone, pass the time making shoes and have a hidden pot of gold.

Green: Wearing the color green on the St. Patrick’s Day is considered an act of paying tribute to Ireland. It is said that it also brings good luck, especially when worn on St. Patrick’s Day.

By: dgreetings

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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 by Claire Santry

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all round the world with lively parties, noisy parades, and plenty of light-hearted family entertainment. While it started out as an important date in the calendar for anyone with Irish blood, it is now enthusiastically observed by millions more, all eager to enjoy the fun and raise a glass to all things Irish.

Goodness knows what St Patrick himself would have thought of all the shenanigans! He brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century and what little written evidence of his life survives does not suggest he was a laugh-a-minute type of saint, or a party animal. He seems a thoroughly earnest chap and very much focussed on his mission to convert the pagan Irish.

This he had achieved by the time of his death and he was revered throughout the island very soon after. It is thought that the anniversary of his death - 17 March - was designated a special holy day of remembrance by his followers early in the 8th century but it was to be 900 years (1631) before it received the official stamp of approval from the Vatican. By this time the date had probably been accepted and celebrated at grass roots level for many years.

Holy days, official or not, were spirited affairs, even back in the medieval period. That spirit showed itself in music, in dancing, in playing sports and games, and in liquid refreshment. Fiery brews were consumed by both men and women, and the harsh dregs of ‘Patrick’s Pot’ were set aside for ‘drowning the shamrock’. This latter custom had no known purpose other than providing the party goer with an opportunity to verbally salute the shamrock, the humble plant St Patrick had used to explain his Christian teachings.

One of the reasons St Patrick’s Day was so passionately observed in Ireland was that 17 March always fell within Lent, the period of 40 days before Easter when Roman Catholics traditionally fasted or otherwise exercised some form of self-denial. Since it was permitted for Lenten denials to be relaxed on Holy Days, Irish Catholics grabbed the 24-hour respite with vigour.

In 1695, the British parliament (who ruled Ireland at the time) replaced many Catholic saints’ days in the official calendar and replaced them with dates reflecting Protestant teachings. St Patrick’s Day was one of the casualties. But most Irish responded characteristically by simply ignoring the authorities and continued to celebrate their outlawed national saint.

Within fifty years, a compromise saw St Patrick rehabilitated and his anniversary restored to the official diary. An image of him even appeared on Irish coinage. At about this time, the very first St Patrick’s Day parade was held, but it wasn’t in Ireland. It was in New York, and involved homesick Irish soldiers serving in the British army. News of the parade and its success spread and, in subsequent years, similar parades were organised by Irish communities in English and North American cities.

The following century saw mass starvation in Ireland. This resulted in mass emigration from its shores to all corners of the globe. Those that escaped the famine took with them fond memories of their homeland, their heritage and their saint and they continued to celebrate these on 17 March every year in parades and local fairs with their new neighbours, Irish or not.

After 150 years of emigration, it seems there is hardly a spot on earth that doesn’t turn a bit green on St Patrick’s Day. Special events are held in such diverse countries as Germany, Argentina, Montserrat, Norway and Japan, and huge parades are still held in New York, in Boston, in London, in Birmingham and, of course, in Dublin and other Irish cities.

March 17 is a day when everyone - no matter their nationality, heritage or creed - wants to join in the festivities, forget their cares, and indulge is some good natured craic. St Patrick’s Day is a day when Irish simply means fun.

Claire Santry writes on Irish genealogy and Irish heritage. Find out more about the history of St Patrick’s Day and about St Patrick himself.

Article Source: St Patrick’s Day - how it became an excuse for a great party

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The meaning of baby names of irish origin lies hundreds of years back in the Irish gaelic language of the ancient Celts who migrated from Central Europe before the foundation of the Roman Empire.

The Celts Dominant

Those Celts who came to Britain, France and Ireland were dominant for a long period. With the spread of the Roman Empire, the Celts gradually were pushed back into North Western France (modern Brittany with its distinct Breton language), Western Britain (Cornwall and Wales), Northern Britain (Isle of Man and Scotland), and the island of Ireland which was never conquered by the Romans.

As a result of Ireland’s separate development from Roman influence, the gaelic language and way of life was much less diluted than in Scotland or Wales. Again the influence of the Anglo-Normans and later the English was less in Ireland because of the difficulty of establishing control in the country other than a few coastal towns such as Dublin.

The English kings’ governor sat in Dublin Castle issuing edicts against native Irish habits in dress, custom and language, only to have them ignored in about 80% of the country with the exception of the areas around Dublin called The Pale where the English army held sway.

Gradual English Control

This situation continued for hundreds of years until the English asserted an uneasy control at the end of the 17th century with the defeat of James 11 at the Battle of the Boyne by William of Orange (the Dutch Protestant prince who was offered the English throne by Parliament)in 1690.

So the first name origins of Irish Christian names and surnames lie overwhelmingly in this gaelic Celtic culture which was totally dominant until the end of the 19th century. Only at this point do we see English culture making inroads in language, games and of course in first name origins.

In fact, this was not voluntary as primary schools were established in all the major towns from the 1830’s onwards where English was the only language of instruction and Irish gaelic was forbidden.First name origins of Celtic descent gradually declined and English baby names became popular for the first time.

Irish Revival

By the end of the 19th century, Irish was in crisis and English totally dominant in all the commercial, legal and cultural spheres of Irish life. At this time organisations to stem the English tide were established such as the Gaelic Athletic Association(to foster the games of hurling and gaelic football), and the Gaelic League to prevent the decline of the Irish language.

This brings us up to the present where the meaning of baby names of most first names in Ireland are English in origin or anglicisations of native Irish names.This bilingual melange will continue. It remains to be seen whether first name origins of Irish gaelic ancestry will increase as they have been doing, or whether the sea of Anglo-American influence will predominate.

(c) John Lynch

About The Author

John Lynch

For a wide selection of musical instruments, arts, crafts, gifts and jewelry from Ireland go to: http://www.simplyirish.com/default.asp?idaff=3045286

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I think the Irish are unlucky.

Every St Patrick’s Day I conjure up visions of eating corned beef and cabbage for dinner. Then I wonder ‘What wine goes with corned beef and cabbage?’ The corned beef is too salty and doesn’t work with any wine very well. Someone yells to me that beer is more in order. Maybe a wine from Ireland?

The climate of Ireland isn’t the best for growing grapes. There’s only one wine that that comes from Ireland and it’s made by Llewellyn’s - a farmer in north county Dublin. His normal produce is apples and he makes a lot of apple juice for upscale independent retailers. His wine is more of a novelty item at best. What is interesting about Irish wine is the Irish connection with Bordeaux. Irish names like Lynch, Barton, Phelan adorn the labels on some of the best wines from the Bordeaux region. As for wine making, the Irish are better off sticking to the black stuff, Guinness.

But I’m a wine guy and don’t care for beer so I do some more digging. Guess what? It seems that corned beef and cabbage is more of an American St Patrick’s Day tradition. According to Bridgett Haggerty of the website Irish Cultres and Customs their research shows that most likely a "bacon joint" or a piece of salted pork boiled with cabbage and potatoes would more likely have shown up for an Easter Sunday feast in the rural parts of Ireland. Since the invention of refrigeration, people eat fresh meats. Today corned beef and cabbage is considered a peasant dish and is more popular in the United States than in Ireland. People eat it on St. Patrick’s Day as a nostalgic reminder of the Irish heritage.

  Many of these dishes had their origins in very basic peasant style food dating back to the pre-famine era (mid 1800’s)when potatoes were the staple Irish peasant diet mixed with vegetables and meat, if available - the slow cooking process of the stew allowed for lesser cuts of meat. And man are these two recipes hearty.

But if your heart is set on Corned Beef and Cabbage, food and wine pairing isn’t an exact science. Laurence with The Irish Wine Blog at www.sourgrapes.ie says ‘I’d go with a fruity red with high acidity to get through the saltiness of the corned beef. I’ll put my neck out and suggest a Chianti Classico.’

For St. Patrick’s Day, Guinness and Green may be more American, but In the spirit of food and wine pairing, try a truly Irish dish and pair it with a great wine.

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Crockpot cooking can be an ideal way to eat healthy, low fat meals that are relatively inexpensive, easy and take very little time to prepare. If you have ever cooked a meal in a crockpot, it is probably one of the easiest ways to prepare dinner. During certain times of the year you can create special dishes to commemorate various events.

St Patrick’s day is just such an occasion that you can celebrate with a great Irish Beef Stew. This delightful dish will certainly fill the bill for those who want an authentic Irish meal when dressing up n their favorite leprechaun outfit.Using your Crock pot, this stew can simmer the delectable broth, spices and beef to create a succulent creation fit for an Irish King or Queen…

The basic ingredients include:

1. Sauted beef and Garlic
2. Beef stock
3. Guinness Beer
4. Red wine
5. Tomato paste
6. Thyme
7. Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves
8. Potatoes, Onions and Carrots

There are many recipes that dictate process and amount of each ingredient, but if you follow the Easy Home Cooking philosophy, you will create your own special recipe by adding the right amount that suits your taste buds. Add salt, pepper or a little dash of paprika to taste and you will find how a basic stew can transform into a signature dish that can be made throughout the year.

If you want add more Irish fare to the menu, try adding Irish Soda Bread, a pint of warm beer to accompany your Irish Beef stew and finish off with Irish Potatoes for dessert.Top off the evening with a nice Irish Coffee and cigar (if that suits you) and put an exclamation point on the evening.

From Irish Beef Stew to Corn Beef and cabbage, the crockpot is a versatile kitchen tools that can be used to create unique or basic dishes with exotic flair. Defining your style with Crockpot cooking is one way families can enjoy great meals while saving money and time. Remember to make extras that can be frozen and taken out for a quick lunch or reheated for future lunches or dinners.

By: Montgomery Emerson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Cooking is your passion. Seasonal dishes add to the fun by creating quick and easy meals for special dates throughout the year. See more ways you can cook easy meals in minutes Easy-Home-Cooking.com

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Shamrocks, Leprechauns, Hidden Pots of Gold, and the wearing of the green.. all indications that St. Patrick’s day is drawing near. So join in the fun, plan a party and celebrate St Patrick’s Day with family and friends!

March 17th is just around the corner so now is the time to start planning your St. Patrick’s Day party. St. Patrick’s day is a great reason for a party for young and old alike. It was always one of our favorite family events. While St. Patrick’s Day is a remembrance of the death of Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick; it has also become a worldwide celebration of Irish lore and culture. The luck of the Irish and the Celtic mythology of fairies, also known as leprechauns, hiding their pots of gold has withstood the test of time! The wearing of the green and celebration of the shamrock just make for a naturally fun party that can be pulled together for minimum expense. So get started with your plans and enjoy the day!

Decide if you want to have a party for your kids, for your friends or for both! A party that includes your kids is great fun so don’t rule it out. It can create some wonderful memories. Invitations can be made on the computer with lots of Irish clip art. Another clever way to invite your guests is to print your invitation out on an index card and attach it to a cardboard shamrock that can be found at the party stores. Then "ring and run" your guest list.. taping the invite to their front door!

An Irish themed menu is easy to prepare. A word of advice though, if you will be having children at the party, you may want to re-think the traditional St. Patty’s day food fare and instead do a St Patrick’s Day Pizza and Pasta Party. They will enjoy that far more. For an adult party, boil that corned beef and cabbage, bake up some Irish soda bread and make sure to have plenty of ale.

Make a trip to visit your local party store so that you can adorn your guests with St. Pat beads in bright green and gold. They are very inexpensive, like Mardi Gras beads, but always add to the festivities. Skip the St. Patrick’s Day paper goods and just pick up plain green plates. It will save you some money,. Don’t forget to load up your Ipod with some great Irish music to further get your guests in the mood! No Ipod? There are great CD’s available, pick one up at your local Target or Wal-Mart.

Having your guests sitting around in their green and eating Irish food will spell boredom if you don’t add some fun games and activities.. So let the inner leprechaun come to life and plan some fun. There are some great ideas for St Patrick’s Day themed games and activities, as well as wonderful Irish themed recipes and more invitation ideas at Celebration Ideas Online. They will surely add laughs and fun to your festivities. So get out your green and get ready for a great St. Patrick’s Day party.

By Carol Eiseman Published: 3/2/2009

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Music has always held a very important position for the Irish and Irish music has survived against all odds even today. Take a look at the brief history of Irish music and the various kinds of instruments that were used for the beautiful compositions.

Music is one medium that can bind hearts all over the globe. Music can appeal to the soul no matter what kind of language is used to support it. Irish music or the music of Ireland is such that it has various styles and a kind of a lyrical soothing sound to it. Traditional Irish music is still very much firmly rooted in Ireland. The one thing that crops up in my mind about Irish music is the music and dance oriented act, Riverdance, which popularized many aspects about Ireland. Riverdance had such an appeal that it gave a new dimension to the Irish music and dance scene. Although experts argue about the authenticity of the Irish music used (because it has a lot of influences as well), I personally loved Riverdance; its beautiful sets, brilliant dancers, exquisite costumes and the very talented musicians had me asking for more.

Irish Music: Flashback
Irish music still has a strong foothold today despite the emergence of new styles of the music scenario. Irish music saw its peak from the ninth to the middle of the eleventh century. The voice was always used in accompaniment with Irish music. One’s voice was obviously one of the oldest ‘instruments’ one could use. The traditional aspects of Irish music are still very much preserved today.

The main characteristic about Irish music is the slow moving change. In the ancient days, the ancient Celts were known to have passed the music and lyrics orally. The Irish were forbidden to speak their own language when the British invaded them. This was the time music was used to remember some of the important events and was also considered to be a way to keep their heritage intact. There were various styles of Irish music as well. Let us take a look at traditional Irish music.

Traditional Irish Music:
The traditional Irish music or the Irish folk music is a term that is used for music that has been composed in various genres all over Ireland. The traditional songs were always written in the Irish language. (Today, we find the use of the English language) The melody in traditional Irish music was always considered to be the most important factor and therefore the harmony was kept simple. This was also the time when the sean-nos were considered the highest point of traditional singing. The sean-nos are the unaccompanied vocals. This is always performed in a solo version. One’s style is also considered to be very important in traditional Irish music. The Irish folk music or songs that are completely traditional are at least more than 200 years old. Solo performances were also preferred as far as Irish folk music was concerned but bands gained popularity during the mid 19th century. One of the most famous composers who had over 200 compositions to his credit was Turlough Carolan. His style is actually considered as a classical style.

Cil dance gained popularity in the 19th century. This is also referred to as a kind of a social gathering that includes Irish music and Irish dance. A group of musicians always provided music for the Cil dance with the help of instruments such as the accordian, flute, drums, piano, banjo etc.

Irish music was also very widely used in accompaniment with Irish dance. The beauty of stepdancing was aptly depicted in Riverdance.

Sadly, one saw a drop in the number of genuinely interested people in traditional Irish music around the 1930s. Experts have their difference of opinions about the use of the various types of musical instruments in traditional Irish music. It is said that the bouzoukis and the guitars were used in the late 1960s in Irish music. Some musical instruments made their appearance only in the later years. Let us take a look at some of the musical instruments used to create the melodious tunes that are found in Irish music.

Instruments used in Irish Music:

Uilleann Pipes:
The ancient Irish pipes were given the name of Irish Warpipes or even Great Irish Warpipes. The Uilleann pipes were also known as the union pipes and were developed at the beginning of the 18th century. These are also said to be the most complex form of the bagpipes. The modern version of the Uilleann pipes was said to have arrived on the music scenario around the 1890s.

Fiddle:
The violin or the fiddle (as it was known locally) is one of the most important instruments used in the various compositions of Irish music. The fiddle, available in a variety of shapes and sizes was considered to be very similar to the violin.

Accordian:
The accordian plays an important part in modern Irish music. The popularity of the accordian gained ground, sometime in the 19th century and this was also used commonly for dance in the typical Irish traditions.

Harp:
The harp is one such musical instrument in the Irish music scene that is found at least 5,000 years back in history. Generally, the harp rests between the knees and the right shoulder. Although traditionally, the harp was placed over the left shoulder by some early Irish and Scottish harps.

Bouzouki:
The first bouzouki was built by John Bailey; for John Pearse. The bouzouki arrived on the scene of the Irish music in the late 1960s, Irish bouzouki’s have a flat back or a slightly arched back as compared to the Greek bouzouki. The Irish bouzouki also has 4 pairs of strings as compared to the other kinds of bouzouki that are available.

Mandolin:
This music instrument also enjoyed a prominent position in Irish music. It is noticed that most Irish musicians who used the mandolin preferred the flat back instruments, which had an oval sound hole as compared to the Italian style.

Banjo:
The banjo was introduced on the Irish music scene by emigrants that came from the United States. The function of the banjo is considered to be similar to the bauzouki and even the mandolin which was used in Irish music.

Apart from this, the harmonica, guitar, flute, bodhrn, concertina etc., are also used in Irish music. Today, various other forms of music have also incorporated the traditional forms of Irish music in its compositions. Several groups on the music scene have combined Irish music very successfully to introduce a new kind of music or in a way to revive the traditional Irish music for the youngsters. Music therefore, has a strong foothold in Irish culture.

Read about Irish castles

By Kashmira Lad Published: 3/11/2008

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Dublin, the largest city and capital of Ireland, is a fast-growing city at the mouth of the River Liffey. Dublin is a cultural and economic center for all of Ireland and has a long and rich history that dates back to A.D. 140.

The geopolitical names for the region have changed over the centuries, but Dublin has acted as the capital of Ireland from the twelfth century on. During the period from 1171 to 1541, the area was known as the Lordship of Ireland. Until 1800, it was the Kingdom of Ireland. From 1801 until 1922, it was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Irish Republic of 1919 to 1922 was then partitioned into the Irish Free State, which it remained until 1949. Dublin is now the capital of the Republic of Ireland.

The Easter Rising of 1916 destroyed parts of the city center and the Anglo-Irish War and Irish Civil War destroyed much more. For most of the early 20th century, Dublin remained untouched by time. It was often called the 19th Century City of Europe. The film industry took notice of Dublin’s unique architectural situation and realized it was an excellent venue for historical films. The Oscar(r) winning film My Left Foot was filmed in Dublin.

Filmmaking became a prominent industry in Dublin and the city began to see increased prosperity. Many of its historic buildings were restored and new, modern buildings began to spring up.

Dublin is perhaps best known for its literary history. George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yates and Samuel Beckett are all native Dubliners. Other famous Dublin writers include Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and Bram Stoker. The most famous, of course, is James Joyce. Ulysses, his most celebrated work, is set in Dublin.

Today, Dublin is home to several theaters, which specialize in a variety of productions including plays, opera, dance and film. The world-famous Abbey Theater provided a venue for the works of George Bernard Shaw among others. Many current and well-known actors hail from Dublin including Gabriel Byrne, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.

The Irish arts community thrives in Dublin. Many fine museums and collections are located within its borders. Rare books, public art, modern art, drawings, prints and decorative arts are well represented in the galleries and museums of Dublin.

Dublin’s young population base (possible 50% under age 25) lends itself to a vibrant nightlife and club scene. Live music is available in many popular bars, and the city is proud of the internationally famous bands to come out of their city. Superstars such as U2, The Boomtown Rats and Sinead O’Connor are all native Dubliners.

There are three universities in Dublin, including the University of Dublin, which is the oldest university in Ireland.

Croke Park, the fourth largest stadium in Europe is located in Dublin and it hosts football and hurling games as well as concerts and performances. Rugby is played at Lansdowne Road Stadium.

As the city struggles to manage growth and historic preservation, Dublin continues to expand. Major retail shopping malls have been completed within its borders and several redevelopment projects are planned.

Author: John Parks

For more information on Dublin, Ireland visit http://dublinmicroblog.com and http://irelandmicroblog.com

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If you want to know more about the Irish dance form and the dresses worn by the dancers, here is some relevant information. Irish dance shoes are also discussed…

Dance is the expression of joy, love, passion, anger, sympathy and all the exuberant emotions. It is a form of expression that directs all the body energy in a positive form to bring out a certain emotion. There have been various dance forms all over the world, which are in synchronization with the culture of each region and expressions, used in a dance form, are also inline with how that particular emotion is perceived in that particular culture. Like in India, anger in dance is perceived as the anger of Siva because Hindu Mythology refers to Siva’s anger and how he danced to express his anger, which was almost destroying the universe.

Evolution and Types of Irish Dance

Here in this article we would discuss about the Irish dances and the dresses that they wear, which can be alluded to their past occupations, economy and mythology. However there is no concrete proof that we can base our assumptions on since the books and documents were destroyed by the Vikings who raided the country around 7th century. Dance in Ireland basically started with Feisanna, which means a gathering that would have several events of commerce, politics and entertainment merged together. Around 18th century "crossroads dancing" was introduced which was condemned by the Irish Church and dancers were ordered to keep indoors.

At present there are two basic dance forms in Ireland: social dances and performance dances under which there are several others like Cil and set dancing that can be called a part of Irish Social dancing whereas the most famous step dance or river dance is under performance dances. Now you may question why one is called "social" and the other one "performance". It is because couples did social dancing; usually four or two couples at a time. It is more about being together unlike performance dancing which is more of a performance oriented dance. Irish social dancing is all about upholding the culture and tradition of Ireland.

Irish Dance Dresses

The dresses worn by modern dancers refer to the everyday clothing of Ireland that has been a part of their culture since the eighth century. The dresses worn by female dancers reflect the traditional Irish peasant dress and they are embellished with hand-embroidered Celtic patterns taken from the Book of Kells and Irish stone crosses which are quite a part of the Irish History. Imitations of the famous Tara Brooch are donned on the shoulder, which also helps in holding the flowing shawl that falls down over the back.

Initially the designs on the costumes were minimum, almost nothing but as and how Irish dancing gained popularity, innovation was endeavored and distinctive costumes were designed. The presence of interwoven stitching and lines in the design referred to the continuity of the process of life. The popular colors when it came to Irish costumes were green and white. Red was a color that was averted because of its association with England, as it is known that Ireland has an extensive history of trying to gain independence of the British yoke. Men’s dresses are simple since they wear plain kilt or pants, jackets and a cloak.

Irish Dance Shoes

Initially dancers in Ireland did not wear shoes but then around 20th century they started wearing soft shoes when dancing jigs, reels and slip jigs. Male dancers wore rawhide shoes, which were not very heavy and were quite suitable for dancing. These shoes can be found on the Aran Islands where they are named Broga uirleathair. Step dancing evolved from the wooden soled taps or clogs which were worn by some fishermen on the west coast when it became illegal to teach traditional music, the rhythm of the dance tune was passed down to the younger generation by tapping the hard shoes on the flag stones in the kitchen. Now those shoes are transformed into hornpipe shoes, which are specially made for step dancing and for reels and jigs soft shoes similar to ballet pumps are worn. Lately there are various kinds of shoes made by various schools of dance and it is quite an identity for the dancers.

By Poushali Ganguly Published: 12/20/2007

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Whether you’re Irish or not, chances are you’ve celebrated St. Patrick’s Day one way or another.

And why not? St. Patrick’s Day is pure fun.

Green clothes. Green food. Green beer. (Green under the gills.) And what better way to enhance this celebration than with funny Irish poems?

Somehow, there are more symbols of Ireland than there are of other European countries, and these symbols make for great funny Irish poems. France has the Eiffel Tower, and maybe a beret; Germany has the pointy WWI helmet; and England has those bushy beefeater hats and Big Ben. But Ireland, Ireland has a treasure trove of symbols, all perfect for funny Irish poems.

Leprechauns. Consider the legendary leprechaun. Think "Lucky Charms" to get the right image. Leprechauns are not so much about luck as about the fantasy of instant wealth. Leprechauns, two-foot-high cobblers (shoemakers), are cranky old fairy-men rumored to each own a "pot of gold." These tricky little guys have to give up their gold so long as you can keep them in your sights. But if you are tricked into looking away, the leprechaun vanishes.

Blarney. And talk about Blarney! Blarney is the Irish gift of persuasive gab. The best way to get it, according to legend and lore, is with a kiss of the Blarney Stone. The Blarney stone is set in the base of the Blarney Castle, in Blarney, Ireland. Many of us don’t travel so far for this gift of gab and instead buy a bottle of it at the corner market.

Shamrocks. What would St. Patrick’s Day be without a shamrock? You might think that a shamrock must have four leaves, but you’d be mistaken. While many people do believe that a four-leaf clover is particularly lucky, the official shamrock is the classic three-leaf variety. St. Patrick himself used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the trinity, somewhere during the 400s AD, while a missionary in what is now Northern Ireland. You have to wonder if he did his explaining at the pub, or if he had any inkling of the holiday that would evolve in his name.

Limericks. If you’re thinking funny Irish poems, you’re probably thinking limericks. But the truth is that the limerick form was first made popular in England because of the famous nonsense-writer, Edward Lear. However, a good funny Irish poem can always be written as a limerick or in any poetic form.

Fun. The most important element of a secular celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is fun! (Yes, many Irish do attend church for this holiday. Really.) in addition to the parties, the food, the friends and the green beer, it’s good to also include the pure free fun of funny Irish poems.

Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you!

Author: Denise Ann Rodgers

Denise Ann Rodgers is a poet and author of two books, "A Little Bit of Nonsense," and "Great Lakes Rhythm & Rhyme," a book of poetry about Michigan and the Great Lakes. She has two web sites. One, http://www.ThePoetryLady.com, promotes her two books and school visits, and her new site that shares her amazing selection of funny poems on all subjects.

For a free selection of funny Irish poems, go to http://www.Funny-Poems-for-Free.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Ann_Rodgers

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Before you even begin to look, you’ll have to know what you’re looking for.

First of all, if you hope to become a true Irish dancer, it’s best not to buy any DVDs or any other methods self-instruction before you’re registered for a class.

Learn at least a little bit about Irish dancing.

Learn about the levels (which differ from country to country), about the costumes, the major solo and group dances, the different organizations. In this blog I am trying to provide you with accurate, reliable information. Be careful with other websites as they information they give you may not be correct.

You’ll want to brush up your vocabulary.

You’ll need to know that a TCRG is Irish dancing certification. To compete, you must be registered with a school that has at least one teacher with a TCRG. Other dance studios may have teachers without TCRGs who may be legitimate, but you are much better off with a certified school. A feis (pronounced “fesh,” plural is feisanna is pronounced “fesh-AH-nuh”) is an Irish dancing competition.

When you’re ready to start looking for a school, good start to finding yourself a class is searching online.

Try Google. While Irish dancing schools are more common in certain areas than others, they still may be difficult to find. Irish dancing is not as popular as other forms of dance such as tap, jazz, and ballet. Write down email addresses and phone numbers for all the schools in your area, if there is more than one.

Once you’ve gathered contact information for schools in your area, start making phone calls.

Use the knowledge you gained during your research in Step 2 to decide if a given school is right for you. Things to consider are the school’s certification or lack thereof, the locations and distance from your home, the number of certified teachers if any, and class times.

Here are a few questions you’ll want to ask them.

• Do any of the teachers have a TCRG? (Remember, you can’t compete without at least one TCRG, and if there isn’t one in the school, there’s a chance they might not teach Irish dancing properly)

• If there is no TCRG, has the teacher ever taken dance from a TCRG before, or is he/she eligible to sit for the exam?

• How long has the school been running?

• Is competition required?

• How competitive is the school, in general?

• Does the school participate in shows, and if so, are all dancers required to? (Irish dancing is in high demand for performance, especially around St. Patrick’s Day)

Make phone calls to all of the schools.

Once you have gathered information from all of the schools you found, consider the answers given to the questions you asked and use them to decide which school you’ll choose.

Once you’ve picked a school, have fun! Go to classes as you like, compete if you’re eligible and you desire to, and make new friends.

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Since so much of Irish music is geared towards dancing, it makes sense to take a look at the different forms of Irish dancing — because here is not just one form. There are many.

Irish music is made up of a huge collection of tunes. Each tune is a melody that contains two or more parts. Three or four parts is not unusual, but two parts is most common. So it is common to speak of the “A” part and the “B” part. Each part repeats once before moving on to the next part, and the entire tune is generally played twice.

Although it is common, these days, to see a guitar or other chording instrument in a session, that is largely because Irish music has become more widely known in areas of the world where accompaniment is the norm. For that reason, many of the new tune collections that are printed up have chords in them. But in the old, traditional collections, there is not one chord to be found.

There are five basic kinds of tunes in Irish music, the waltz, the reel, the jig, the hornpipe, and the polka.

Whichever you like to have as your dancing background is up to your own taste.

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Several generations ago, the appropriate dress for a competition was simply your “Sunday Best”. In the 1970s and 1980’s ornately embroidered dresses became popular. Today even more ornamentation is used on girls’ dresses, including lace, sequins, silk, extensive embroidery, feathers, faux fur and more.

Irish Dancing schools have school dresses, which are worn by “Beginner” through “Novice” dancers. When dancers reach a level decided by their school, may get a solo dress of their own design and colors.

Today most women and girls curl their hair or wear a wig for a competition or feis (feis pronounced fesh).

The skirts of the dresses used to be floppy, then they became stiff with a special cardboard and now the skirts are puffy, puffballs, double puffballs, frilly and feathers.

Getting an Irish Dance dress is quite expensive. If you are looking for better prices you may check out the below selection:

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There are probably two kinds of Irish Dance DVD’s.

Instructional and performance.

The first are DVD’s made for students wanting to learn and/or improve their dancing. There is a large variety of teachers taping classes .

You may find DVD’s from the top Irish Dance teachers, replay them and learn.

The other kind od DVD available is performances taped n DVD for your viewing pleasure.

Amazingly exciting shows to be watched and enjoyed.

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Wearing the perfect Irish Dance costume can include comfortable socks as well as Celtic style buckles , cuffs etc.

Different artists devote their work to creating accessories for the Irish Dancer. You may find their online stores by browsing the web.

On the other hand you can get a complete costume that would already include the accessories needed to get the perfect look.

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Irish dancers (females) like to wear their hair in bouncy curls.
Since not all dancers have curly hair, there is a great variety of wigs of diffrent colors and styles.

Once you get a wig you would want to take good care of it.

Here are a few tips to help you care for your irish dance wig.

• Always keep your own hair and scalp clean.
• When you’re not wearing your wig, store it on a Styrofoam styling head to maintain it’s shape.
• Use specially formulated wig shampoos and conditioners to clean and revitalize your hair.
• After use, gently tidy your wig with the finger tips to split any curls that have joined, to remove any tangles and to tidy any curls that have dropped out of place.
  If you have a tightly curled wig, finger style it, as brushing can cause the style to frizz.
• Never use heat on a synthetic wig!  Remember, synthetic wigs are different from your own hair, and cannot handle thermal styling. Never expose your wig to excessive heat sources such as blow dryers, curling irons or ovens.

Here are some tips if you want to wash your wig:

Add one table spoon of Wig shampoo to a sink filled with cold water. Put your wig into the water and move the wig around gently for one minute. Do not rub or scrunch the wig, as this will take out the curls, and make your wig puffy.

Tap dry the wig with a towel, do not rub, scrunch or ring out the wig. Now spray the wig with conditioning spray from a distance of 10-12 inches. You only need to add a little, so don’t get to carried away and saturate it. You know the saying. “Less is more”!

Now allow the wig to air dry by placing the wig over a hair spray can, or a shampoo bottle covered with a towel. Do not use a hairdryer and don’t place in direct sunlight as this will damage the wig. You may wish to gently style the wig with your fingertips while it is drying.

A good source for Irish dance wings would be eBay. Check out the latest offers below:

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Two types of shoes are worn in step dancing: hard shoes and soft shoes.

The hard shoe is similar to tap shoes, except that the tips and heels are made of fiberglass, instead of metal, and are significantly bulkier.

The first hard shoes had wooden or leather taps with metal nails. Later the taps and heels were changed into resin or fiberglass to reduce the weight and to increase the footwork sounds.

The soft shoes, which are called ghillies, resembles a ballet shoe minus the hard toe, the ribbons for laces, and the pink color for black. Gillies are only worn by girls, while boys wear a black leather shoe called a reel shoe, which resembles a black jazz shoe with a hard heel.

Boy’s soft-shoe dancing features audible heel clicks.

Buying irish dancing shoes is not cheap and you would want to get the best quality you can afford.

Once you get your shoes - you would want to take good care of them.

Here are 10 tips for your use:
1. Always use a wax polish rather than a liquid polish as this stops the leather from drying out. A liquid polish can actually encourage drying and increase the chances of damaging the leather.
2. Use a preservative like ‘Hide Food’ to soften and preserve the shoe.
3. Do not soak shoes when cleaning, a damp cloth is sufficient. Do not store shoes in hot or dry areas as this will dry out the leather.
4. Always undo laces, before and after wearing shoes, as forcing you foot into a shoe that is laced up can damage the heel stiffener.
5. Use a shoe horn if you have difficulty putting on a shoe, as ‘wiggling’ your foot into a shoe will inevitably damage the shoe.
6. Always dance on appropriate surfaces, such as a sprung stage or dance hall. Dancing on surfaces such as concrete will not only damage the shoe, but also significantly increase the chance of personal injury.
7. Do not let other dancers wear your shoes, as everyone’s feet are different.
8. Try to buy shoes, which have a leather insole as it helps the foot breathe and reduces perspiration which contains salt, which would otherwise dry out the shoe.
9. Put your name on the bottom of your shoes to reduce the chance of another dancer accidentally taking your shoes and stops them getting lost if submitted for repair.
10. Wear new shoes around the house before wearing them to a class or feis. You should spend at least 2 hours in your new shoes to break them in. Also another way is to fold the shoe from heel to toe from the laced side up and leave under a heavy object, or use your elastics to hold the bend in place.

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1. The Stag’s Head.

Located on Dame Street, this pub has a great tradition - indeed it was the first pub to have electricity connected in the city! Open since the 1870’s it was the place where James Joyce often sought refuge for a drink or three! The pub derives its name from the Stag’s Head behind the bar counter! Find out more about the Stag’s Head.

2. Brogan’s Bar.

Also located on Dame Street, this is a perfect place to stop for a drink if you have been to a show at the Olympia! Located in the Temple Bar area, it is the perfect setting to begin a night out in Dublin, with the Guinness paraphernalia in the bar adding to the old world charm! Tuesday night is a popular as this is the night when the "Write & Recite" poetry night takes place, whereby poets can compete against each other for the best poem and win a mystery prize!

3. Sinnott’s Bar.

At its home in King St South, Dublin 2, Sinnott’s bar is a winner of the James Joyce Pub award, highlighting that it is an authentic Dublin Pub! The walls are festooned with pictures and prints from Dublin’s most famous literary icon. Having a basement like feel, with good pub food and live music, this is definitely one place worth checking out.

4. The Old Stand.

Located at 37 Exchequer Street, this is a slightly more updated version of the typical traditional Irish bar, and is very popular. There has been a public house on this site for over 300 years. It is a popular place to eat, with a great menu. Also well known as being a "Rugby" bar, and is one of the top places in the Fair City to catch an Ireland game on television! Find out more about the Old Stand.

5. Davy Byrne’s.

At its home in Duke Street, Davy Byrne’s is located just off Grafton Street. The pub is famous in literary heritage as it was the place of Bloom’s glass of wine and sandwich snack in Joyce’s masterpiece "Ulysses", and is a top point on the Literary Pub Crawl of Dublin. With Joycean murals on the walls, the pub is pre-1940’s in its theme. Find out more about Davy Byrne’s.

6. Kehoe’s Pub.

Located at 9 South Anne St, Dublin 2, Kehoe’s is held in high regard by native Dubliners for its old world charm and atmosphere. Why not enjoy a pint in the traditional snug corner and drink in the living room of the original owner who lived upstairs the bar!

7. The Brazen Head.

Legend has it that outlaw Robin Hood drank in this establishment, indeed there has been a pub situated on this exact site since 1198. It is the oldest pub in the city, and a real tourist attraction. The brick outside hints at the age of the pub, and the low ceilings and the kegs turned into bar tables make for a wonderful old style atmosphere that hasn’t changed in years! The bar is located at Lower Bridge Street, Dublin 1. Find out more about the Brazen Head.

8. The Duke Bar.

Located just off Grafton Street, is the Duke Bar at number 9 Duke Street, and is a perfect spot to go for a relaxing drink after a day of shopping! There has been a pub on site since around 1492, and also gained a mention in Joyce’s masterpiece.

9. The Long Hall Bar.

Located at 51 South St Georges Street, this is a quaint old bar that has kept its old world charm and atmosphere. The Long Hall is a listed building and has retained the old bar style in its dcor, with Victorian features, old muskets adorning the walls, and antique style paintings.

10. Cassidy’s.

Located on Camden Street, this is a traditional style bar that has retained its old world charm and identity in comparison to the new style bars that have cropped up in Dublin over the past 15 to 20 years. A great place to enjoy a chat, and have a great pint. If you have a drink here, you will be in esteemed previous company as none other that the former President of the USA Bill Clinton stopped in for a few drinks in the 1990’s!

Author: Mairead Foley

Mairead writes for GoIreland.com - Ireland’s leading travel and accommodation website.

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Irish Culture

A great article found on Buzzle.com that I decided to add to the blog as is.

Ireland is one such glorious place that has a rich history and culture along with beautiful landscapes. Read on to experience the different facets of Irish culture.

Ireland is one place which will always remain special to me; this beautiful place is rich in history and has also been the home to many talented writers including the likes of Oscar Wilde. Ireland has made a large contribution in literature and the very traditional folk music combined with the beautiful steps of the Irish dance all reflect the rich culture of Ireland. The Irish castles that dot the lush, green countryside speaks volumes about the rich history of this glorious place. Let me take you on a trip that explores the Irish culture and the traditions that were seen and are followed by some today. The Irish culture has quite a few divides between the people with regards to the religion or even the language issues. Today, this place is seeing an increase in the population with the new immigrants being added places all over. Irish Culture: Lifestyle The people of Ireland are known to be very hospitable and friendly in nature. Having a family life is considered of great importance in Ireland. The traditional ways of the Irish culture can be seen in the rural areas of Ireland. Here, a lot of traditional customs are followed which is quite a contrast to the modern life that is led in the urbane areas of Ireland. Ireland also has a large number of people who own their own palatial residencies. The modern Irish culture follows a more open method of communication between the Irish people. The Irish believe in displaying their affection rather than curbing the same. English still remains to be the most spoken language today. The native dialect can be found in some of the rural areas of Ireland. The Irish language was introduced by the Celts and many senior citizens can be found speaking in the traditional Irish language. The homes in Ireland still follow the same rule and are built in a similar fashion, as was the pattern of the olden days. Bright and cheerful colors can be seen splashed on the walls of most homes with colorful doors. Homes of Ireland are generally terrace houses with the central heating system having replaced the traditional fireplace. Irish Culture: Professions and Industry Farming in the Irish culture dates way back into history. In the olden days, the ownership of cattle was considered to be a status symbol. When it comes to farming, the males handle many activities that are related to it. Women are known to market some of the produce. In the past, men handled most of the affairs connected with the profession. Today, women have also taken up challenges in this area. At one time, agriculture was always the main activity. A large section of the production is exported internationally. The Irish farmers are known to use the latest methods for their farming needs. Some of the main products in agriculture are dairy and meat products, barley, turnips, wheat etc. The Irish industry has also flourished in areas of textiles, clothing, pharmaceuticals and even in the fishing industry. Irish Culture: Religion Although there is no official religion for Ireland, special consideration has been given to the Catholic Church. One can see the Roman Catholics, Methodists, Jewish, Presbyterianism and even a small percentage of other religions such as Islam existing in Ireland. Irish Culture: Music and Dance The Irish are known for their love for music and dance. The traditional music of Ireland still has a strong foothold in the music scene despite the various influences from abroad. There are quite a number of bands that still play the traditional Irish music. The most famous amongst the musicians was Turlough Carolan who composed over 200 musical compositions. Celtic music is also considered to be a part of the Irish culture. Ireland also saw a lot of music groups gaining popularity on the international map. Towards the later period of the 20th century, Sean-ns had a major role to play in Irish music. Amongst the most honored in classical Irish music, Sir James Galway has always been considered to be an excellent flautist. Classical Irish music has seen its revival only in the past few years; this is primarily because of the divide of the island (North and South). The area of the Northern Ireland falls under UK and the Southern falls under the Republic of Ireland. Read more about Irish music The beauty of the Irish dance is such that it can mesmerize even those who have no particular interest in dance. My personal favorites remain to be Riverdance (a show performed in 1994), which showcased quite a few dances of Ireland. Step dancing remains to be the most popular till date. Sean-ns dancing, old step dancing and the modern versions of step dancing are popular all over the world. Irish Culture: Arts and Literature Ireland boasts the finest writers of all times. The Irish have made a significant contribution in the world of literature. This beautiful place even has 4 winners of the Nobel Prize for literature (20th century). Writers such as Oscar Wilde and William Butler Yeats all made a major contribution in the literary world. Visual and graphic arts also have a strong foothold in Ireland. Some of the early association of art is seen in the carvings that were found at sites at Newgrange and illuminated manuscripts that belonged to the medieval period. Irish Culture: Food Stories related to the old Irish culture have the mention of honey being widely used especially to make mead. Meat was widely eaten along with poultry products. The potato formed a major part of the food in Ireland amongst the labor class. Today, the food habits have influences from all over the world. Although meat has always been the main item in Irish food, fast food has also taken over. New Irish dishes are being churned out to maintain some healthy eating habits amongst the Irish people; these focus mainly on fresh vegetables. Today, although the traditional Irish culture may not be visible everywhere with the advent of the pub culture, one can still catch glimpses of the Irish culture in various parts of Ireland.

 

By Kashmira Lad Published: 3/24/2008

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Famous symbols of Ireland…

The harp, also known as the national symbol of Ireland, the Celtic cross, the shamrock and the Irish wolfhound are all well known Irish symbols.

Religion…

The majority of the Irish population are Roman Catholic (88%).

National language…

Gaelic is Ireland’s national language. Only in the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) areas of Ireland will you find that Irish is used as the everyday language. In all other parts of Ireland, English is the spoken language.

Music…

Ireland’s most famous musical export would have to be U2, closely followed by The Boomtown Rats, Thin Lizzy and more recently Boyzone and Westlife.

Hollywood factor…

The cream of the crop includes Richard Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Cillian Murphy and Colin Farrell.

The world of literature…

To our credit, Ireland has produced Bram Stoker, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, Maeve Binchy and Celia Aherne.

Patron Saint…

Saint Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland in around 430. St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Ireland, and indeed all over the world, on March 17th.

Our capital - Dublin…

Dublin was founded by the Vikings in 988 and was originally called Dubh Linn (which means Black Pool in Irish).

First Saint Patrick’s Day parade…

Boston was the proud host with an event organised by the Charitable Irish Society in 1737.

The White House…

James Hoban, a Kilkenny born architect, won a competition to design the original White House.

Famous outlaws…

Grace O’Malley (Queen of the Pirates) operated off the west coast of Ireland and Ned Kelly (son of an Irish convict) was an infamous Australian outlaw.

Highest mountain…

Killarney, County Kerry is home to the highest mountain - Carrantouhill, part of the mountain range the McGillycuddy Reeks.

Longest river…

The river Shannon rises in County Cavan and is approximately 240 miles long. It contains 3 lakes, Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg.

Irish delicacies…

Drisheen is a type of pudding made from cow’s, pigs or sheeps blood. White pudding is a mixture of pork, cereal, bread, fat and suet. Periwinkles are sea snails boiled in salted water.

Guinness…

To trip to Ireland would be complete without sampling a pint of the black stuff! It’s said that no matter where you go in the world, only in Ireland will you be served the most velvety, and creamiest pint of the "black stuff".

Bailey’s Irish Cream...

This hugely popular liquor has been around since the ’70’s.

Irish pubs…

Stumble upon a "trad night", throw in the customary singsong, a bit of Irish dancing and you’re in for a crackin’ evening!

A sporting nation…

Irish people are very passionate about Gaelic games - football, hurling, rounders, handball and camogie. Rugby and soccer are also very well supported in Ireland.

The great outdoors…

The Cavan Way, The Dingle Way and The Kerry Way are just some of the country’s scenic walking routes that offer a great opportunity to sample Ireland’s breathtaking countryside.

Sense of humour…

There’s nothing like the Irish sense of humour, wit and play with words. Have a look at the below examples:

"not backwards in coming forwards" - means a person is not shy.

"no flies on him" - means a person is not easily deceived.

"she has a tongue that would clip a hedge" - means a person who gossips.

"come for a day and stay for a week" - means someone outstaying their welcome.

Just a few facts to ponder over - for a small island we certainly have a lot going for us!

By: Mairead Foley

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website www.GoIreland.com

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One of the first things that come to mind when seeing the beautiful costumes worn by female dancers in Irish dancing or Irish step dancing is where to buy step dancing costumes.

The elaborate, beautiful dresses are truly like no other and speak exquisitely of ancient Irish tradition. But if you don?t know what to look for in a solo dancing dress, finding a step dancing costume can be tricky and expensive.

The different levels of Irish dancing determine where a dancer gets her dancing costume from.

Any dancer in the Beginner or Novice levels will usually be provided with a dance costume from their school of dance. In these instances, all students will be wearing the same dance costume.

After the Novice level, the dancer usually dances a solo dance and wears her own dancing costume. The Irish step dancing costume can be custom made, bought from a dressmaker specializing in Irish dancing costumes, or made at home by hand.

Unless you yourself are a skilled seamstress, the best choice is to purchase your Irish dancing costume from a dressmaker.

If custom ordering your dress, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is to be sure to call and order the dance costume early. Dressmakers are very busy and only have a limited amount of time and slots for orders so call with plenty of time so they can accommodate your request.

When exactly you should call and order depends largely on how elaborate the solo dress is. Usually six months is a good time to order the dress. Some ornate fabrics, styles or elaborate decoration may need a longer period so you’ll want to leave time for that as well.

While there aren’t many choices when it comes to picking styles, it’s important to provide your dressmaker with a list of proper measurements. To get an accurate measurement, ask someone to help, it is almost impossible to take accurate measurements yourself.  Do not take your measurements over your clothing but rather, measure over your undergarments that you will be wearing with your dress. Measurements should be snug but not tight. Tying a string at the waist will also help to give you a reference point.

A beautiful Irish dancing costume is critical to solo dancing and competition.  Of course, a dancer is judged by her skill, grace and mastery of technique, however, a gorgeous solo dance costume enhances the experience for dancers, spectators and judges alike.  The Irish dance costume is part of a dancer’s presentation and should not be treated lightly.  Even if your costume is fairly plain, it can still be elegant and that will form the impression the judges and audience will have of you.

Solo dresses are very expensive due to the fabric, the time it takes to design and create, and the time it may take to coordinate colors, accessories, etc.

A beautiful custom made Irish dance costume can cost upwards of USD$2,000 or more, so you?ll need to shop around. Ask your Irish dancing school for recommendations. Keep in mind that this costume will last through several competitions, so the expense will be worth it, especially when you bring home the awards.

For more information on Irish step dancing costumes and Irish step dancing, visit Trinity Irish Dance Company at http://www.trinityirishdancecompany.org

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The world-wide success of Riverdance and more recently Lord of the Dance has placed Irish dance on the international stage. Dancing schools in Ireland today are filled with young pupils that learn the dancing styles which brought Jean Butler and Michael Flatley international acclaim.

Today there are many opportunities to watch and enjoy Irish dancing. It is still a regular part of social functions. Dancing sessions at ceilis are usually preceded by a teaching period where novices are shown the initial steps. During the summer months, ceilis are held in many Irish towns. Visitors are always welcome to join in and with on the spot, informal instruction, anyone can quickly master the first steps and soon share the Irish enthusiasm for dance

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The Irish word ceili originally referred to a gathering of neighbors in a house to have an enjoyable time, dancing, playing music and storytelling. Today it refers to an informal evening of dancing. Ceilis are held in large towns and country districts where young and old enjoy together group dances.

The ceili can be traced back to pre-famine times, when dancing at the cross-roads was a popular irish pastime. These dances were usually held on Sunday evenings in summer. The music was often performed by a fiddler seated on a three legged stool with his upturned hat beside him for collection.

The fiddler began with a reel such as the lively “Silver Tip”, but he had to play it several times before the dancers joined in. The young men were reluctant to begin the dance but after some encouragement from the fiddler, the sets of eight filled up the dancing area

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Feis is an Irish step-dancing competition.

The road to a feis starts with enrollment in a step-dancing school run by a teacher who is certified by the Irish Dancing Commission. The first level of certification a teacher receives is T.C.R.G., Teasgicoir Choimisiuin Le Rinci Gaelacha, or Irish Commission Dancing Teacher. Some teachers go on to be certified as A.D.C.R.G., Ard Diploma Choimisiuin Le Rinci Gaelacha, or Highest Diploma in Gaelic Dancing. Those who have achieved the A.D.C.R.G. certification are also eligible to serve as adjudicators for competitions.

Depending on the size and organization of the school, students are broken into classes base on experience and age. And, as if in the spirit of the original dance masters, many of the teachers travel to teach classes in several areas. The schools are often called up to perform at cultural events and in parades. At the same time, many students chose to compete. That’s where the feis comes in.

Today there are many organizations promoting Irish dance.

The Feis has been an important part of irish cultural life. Children, teenagers and adults compete in separate competitions for Feis titles and prizes. There are group and solo competitions where dancers are graded by age from six to seventeen and then into the senior categories.

There are dancing championships in all four provinces, and winners of these provincial competitions qualify for the All Ireland Championships. The World Championships are held in Dublin at Easter where dancers from England, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand compete for the World title

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Ireland Folk Dancing Highlights Tour

Appreciate the best of Irish folk dancing with a road trip taking in the best destinations for traditional dancing. Begin your Irish folk dancing tour in Dublin, which is definitely the best place to enjoy folk dancing shows in pubs and other venues. Then stop over at Kilkenny, which hosts a Celtic Festival that includes top folk dancers, before heading to Cork, where the International Folk Dance Festival showcases unique regional styles from all over the world.

Fantastic Folk Dancing

Irish folk dancing has become renowned world-wide, due to popular dancing Celtic shows such as Lord of the Dance and Riverdance. Lines of step dancers in perfect sync with each other are mesmerising to watch. Accompanied by the rousing beats of traditional Irish jigs and reels, professional dancers’ feet move at awe-inspiring speeds.

Folk dancing in Ireland dates back more than two thousand years, as the ancient Celts arrived from Europe and brought with them their circle dances, which influence the traditional ring dances today. There are several different types of folk dancing and many different complex dances. Sean-ns Dancing is a traditional form which developed alongside folk music and features a more relaxed upper body and improvised steps: this style can be seen all over Ireland, but is particularly popular in Connemara.

Another variety of folk dancing is cil dances, complex social dances that may include up to sixteen dancers, or even an unlimited number of couples in a circle or line. Step dancing is the formalised and competitive form of Irish dancing, that can be seen at the major dance festivals across the country. Shows featuring performances of this famous style of dance are immensely popular, and there are also many venues in Ireland where you too can try out this distinctive and energetic folk dancing. Dancing is at the heart of Irish tradition and culture, and you’ll be captivated and delighted at the vibrant and skilful dancing shows around the country.

Dublin Dancing

Dublin is undoubtedly the best place in Ireland to view Irish folk dancing performances. Several shows operate all year round featuring dancing, and some are dinner shows pairing Irish music and dance with the region’s delicious traditional cuisine. Pubs often incorporate Irish dancers into their entertainment, so check local schedules for events.

The Barn at Dublin’s Abbey Tavern showcases the best Irish dancing, accompanied by top traditional musicians and singers. The tavern also hosts a typical Irish dinner while you enjoy watching the energetic dancers. Another unique folk dancing experience in Dublin is the Irish House Party, where musicians and dancers host visitors in a welcoming, homely setting. An evening at the House Party is a brilliant introduction to Irish culture, and you can just watch the lively dancers and singers or even try out some simple dance moves yourself.

Dublin’s Merry Ploughboys features one of the longest running dance shows in Ireland. National and World Champion Irish Dancers perform at the show, so you can be sure you’re witnessing the very best of Irish dancing, and the audience can also get involved in the high-energy performance.

Lively Dance Festivals

Lively dance festivals across Ireland provide a platform for top dancers to show off their talents, and the wonderful atmosphere at these events adds to a brilliant experience for those who want to see brilliant Irish folk dancing.
One such festival is the Cork International Dance Festival, which brings together dance groups from all over the globe as well as Ireland. Dancers from as far afield as Georgia, Hungary, Mexico and Poland come to showcase their unique regional styles, and many local Irish groups also display their talents.
The lovely town of Killarney hosts a major traditional music each year, which also caters for folk dance fans. The Gathering includes workshops on set dancing, sean-ns dancing by day and a cil each night. Kilkenny also holds the Celtic Festival, which is centred on all aspects of Ireland’s Celtic traditions and history. The festival features both international and local Irish dancers in a variety of exciting events and shows.

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 In order to look at the roots of the irish dance costumes, let’s go back in time and look at the traditional irish weddings.

Decorating the Path.

In nineteenth century Ireland, it was common for people to decorate the way from the bride’s home to the church on the day of her wedding. Floral garlands, evergreen boughs, lanterns, and torches were often used to lead the way to the church.

In Irish Wedding Traditions, Shannon McMahon Lichte offers several suggestions on how this tradition can be adapted for more modern weddings, to help guests find their way to the church and from the church to the reception (42). You could decide to attach flower bouquets to trees and signposts, or less expensive balloons and bows. For a more distinctive Irish touch, you could use Irish symbols such as the Tricolor flag, shamrock, harp, or the Claddaugh to adorn trees and signposts along the way.

Reception Decorations.

Placing a pot of shamrocks in the center of each table would be very Irish and very festive. But if you prefer traditional flower arrangements, talk to your florist about having flowers native to Ireland, such as the Burnet rose, violets, hydrangeas, foxglove, Bells of Ireland, daisies, Irish orchids, ivy, ferns, and primroses.

Food and Drink.

Talk to your caterer about serving Irish dishes. You can find numerous recipes in a Irish cookbook at any major bookstore. For drinks, have plenty of Irish whisky and Guinness on hand. Also, make sure your bartender knows how to make Irish cocktails, such as Irish Spring, An Irish Dog, An Irish Highball, An Irish Seaman, An Irish Lady, and Irish Lady Champagne Punch. The recipes for these drinks can be found in Lichte’s Irish Wedding Traditions.

Wedding Cake.

A traditional Irish wedding cake is fruitcake. If you prefer not to use fruitcake, you can ask your baker to decorate it with Irish symbols, such as swans, a harp, or the Claddaugh and green ribbon and flowers.

Music.

Music has always been an important part of any celebration in Ireland, and weddings are no exception. Having traditional Irish music at your wedding presents little problem. If you prefer live music, search for Irish musicians in your area. Or if you decide on a disc jockey, prepare a play list to include Irish musicians such as The Chieftains, Celtic Thunder, Gaelic Storm, Da Danaan, Christy Moore, James Galway, U2, The Wild Rovers, Loreena McKennett, Altan, Druid Stone, and Enya, to name a few. Compilations of Irish party and dancing songs are also available for purchase. Two of these are titled "New Irish Dance Party" and "130 Irish Party Songs" by Rego.

Toasting.

In Ireland, it’s customary for the bride and groom to share a cup for their first drink as man and wife, rather than two separate wineglasses. An internet search can direct you to many sites which sales chalices and goblets with Irish designs. And rather than sharing the usual champagne, why not toast each other with mead?

Kissing.

In her book, Irish Wedding Traditions, Lichte describes a wonderful variation to the custom of guests clinking a glass with a spoon to induce the bride and groom to kiss. She reports that at a recent Irish wedding, guests were asked to stand up and sing a song or recite a poem with the word "love" in it whenever they wanted the newly-wedded couple to kiss (Lichte 140). This involvement of the guests is in keeping with the ancient Irish tradition of storytelling and merrymaking.

Sharing Riches.

In Ireland, it is customary for the bride and groom to make a donation to a charity, as it is believed that they will have bad luck in their marriage if they do not. Lichte offers several suggestions for couples to re-create this custom at their own wedding. You may decide to have a supply of Irish pence for you and your spouse to throw to guests when you leave the reception, you could give each guest a small pouch filled with Irish pence and confetti to toss rather than rice, or you both could make a donation to the charity of your choice in your spouse’s name to ensure good luck in your marriage.

These are only a few suggestions on how to incorporate Irish customs into your wedding; there are many, many more which can be found in a book on Irish weddings, of which there are several on the market.

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Irish Dance History

Here is an article I found on Buzzle.com telling us all about Irish Dance History.

Graceful and full of vibrant energy, Irish dance has always been enthralling for years. Here’s a look at the history of Irish dance.

 

 

Although I always knew the beauty and the vibrancy of Irish dance, I was really mesmerized by the various forms when I first saw Riverdance, which had some really beautiful compositions. Irish dance is found in various types of forms and styles and this is one of the most graceful yet energetic dance forms that I have come across. Irish dance history is as varied and rich as Irish dancing itself. Today, the Irish dance is growing in its popularity and many modern dancers have made modifications along the way as well.

Irish Dance History:

To understand and know more about Irish dance history, you would first need to know about the various categories of this dance form. One can broadly classify Irish dancing under the following categories:

• Social Dances- These can be further divided into cil and set dancing.
• Performance Dances- This can include the very popular step dancing.

Ireland has always been associated with the very stylish step dancing and Irish music also has a major part to play with this. One can trace the roots of the old style of Irish step dancing to the olden days when sailors danced these steps as a way to entertain themselves. The sailors had no source for music and thus the old style step dancing was developed in the late 18th century. These Irish dance patterns were stylized and improved upon by the Irish dance masters. One needed to keep the arms slightly loose and create sounds with their toes. It was only towards the end of the 18th century that one could see solo dancing arrive on the scene especially in the form of step dancing.

The Irish dance masters played a very important role in Irish dance history. These are the people who developed steps and introduced a particular kind of a discipline amongst those who wanted to pursue Irish dance. The dance masters of the olden days used to be dressed in a particular fashion with swallow tailed coats and tight knee breeches. His arrival was considered to be a delightful affair and he would often stay with farmers and would teach the children step dancing lessons for free!

One can also see during the mid 16th century, Irish dances were performed in beautiful castle halls especially in newly built castles. One particular kind of a dance that was seen was the Trenchmore, which was adapted from an old style of an Irish peasant dance. Apart from this, another dance form was visibly popular in this era; it was known as Hey. Here, the female dancers needed to wind themselves around the partners.

The Sean-ns style of dancing actually means an old form of dancing according to the Irish language. Sean-n dancers generally danced to one musician.

Cil dancing is basically a style of Irish dancing. This term was derived in the late 19th century. This style of dancing generally required 3 people and one could even add around 16 dancers as well. Such style of dancing was always fast and had an energetic look. It is said that the Normans probably introduced the round dance into Ireland. This was around the 12th century. Originally, the word Cil referred to a gathering of people who came together to have a good time. Cil dancing was even danced at the crossroads in the olden days.

Set dancing was another style of Irish dancing. Here, dancing of the steps is based according to a particular set tune. This dance is said to have its base on the Quadrilles that was danced at the French courts. The set dancing generally used four couples and was always danced on flat feet. It was also seen that set dancing varied from place to place. This style of dancing also had a strong foothold in those areas where the original culture and tradition of Ireland was valued a lot.

Over the centuries, one can see that several steps of various Irish dances have been modified in various ways. This has formed the base of the rich culture of Irish dancing. Even today, we can see steps such as jigs, polkas, reels and hornpipes being performed in Irish dancing.

The costumes for the Irish dance was based upon the traditional peasant dress worn in Ireland. These were often decorated with hand embroidery for women where as men wore a plain kilt and a folded cloak. The cloak was used to drape the shoulder.

Since the olden days, Irish dance was always accompanied by Irish music that was played with the help of bagpipes and the harp.

Thus we see how the various influences have shaped the Irish dances along the way. This itself became a firm foundation for the very energetic and vibrant Irish dances which we see today.

 

 

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Irish Music

A wonderful article originaly found on Buzzle.com brought to you here as was found.

Music has always held a very important position for the Irish and Irish music has survived against all odds even today. Take a look at the brief history of Irish music and the various kinds of instruments that were used for the beautiful compositions.

Music is one medium that can bind hearts all over the globe. Music can appeal to the soul no matter what kind of language is used to support it. Irish music or the music of Ireland is such that it has various styles and a kind of a lyrical soothing sound to it. Traditional Irish music is still very much firmly rooted in Ireland. The one thing that crops up in my mind about Irish music is the music and dance oriented act, Riverdance, which popularized many aspects about Ireland. Riverdance had such an appeal that it gave a new dimension to the Irish music and dance scene. Although experts argue about the authenticity of the Irish music used (because it has a lot of influences as well), I personally loved Riverdance; its beautiful sets, brilliant dancers, exquisite costumes and the very talented musicians had me asking for more.

Irish Music: Flashback
Irish music still has a strong foothold today despite the emergence of new styles of the music scenario. Irish music saw its peak from the ninth to the middle of the eleventh century. The voice was always used in accompaniment with Irish music. One’s voice was obviously one of the oldest ‘instruments’ one could use. The traditional aspects of Irish music are still very much preserved today.

The main characteristic about Irish music is the slow moving change. In the ancient days, the ancient Celts were known to have passed the music and lyrics orally. The Irish were forbidden to speak their own language when the British invaded them. This was the time music was used to remember some of the important events and was also considered to be a way to keep their heritage intact. There were various styles of Irish music as well. Let us take a look at traditional Irish music.

Traditional Irish Music:
The traditional Irish music or the Irish folk music is a term that is used for music that has been composed in various genres all over Ireland. The traditional songs were always written in the Irish language. (Today, we find the use of the English language) The melody in traditional Irish music was always considered to be the most important factor and therefore the harmony was kept simple. This was also the time when the sean-nos were considered the highest point of traditional singing. The sean-nos are the unaccompanied vocals. This is always performed in a solo version. One’s style is also considered to be very important in traditional Irish music. The Irish folk music or songs that are completely traditional are at least more than 200 years old. Solo performances were also preferred as far as Irish folk music was concerned but bands gained popularity during the mid 19th century. One of the most famous composers who had over 200 compositions to his credit was Turlough Carolan. His style is actually considered as a classical style.

Cil dance gained popularity in the 19th century. This is also referred to as a kind of a social gathering that includes Irish music and Irish dance. A group of musicians always provided music for the Cil dance with the help of instruments such as the accordian, flute, drums, piano, banjo etc.

Irish music was also very widely used in accompaniment with Irish dance. The beauty of stepdancing was aptly depicted in Riverdance.

Sadly, one saw a drop in the number of genuinely interested people in traditional Irish music around the 1930s. Experts have their difference of opinions about the use of the various types of musical instruments in traditional Irish music. It is said that the bouzoukis and the guitars were used in the late 1960s in Irish music. Some musical instruments made their appearance only in the later years. Let us take a look at some of the musical instruments used to create the melodious tunes that are found in Irish music.

Instruments used in Irish Music:

Uilleann Pipes:
The ancient Irish pipes were given the name of Irish Warpipes or even Great Irish Warpipes. The Uilleann pipes were also known as the union pipes and were developed at the beginning of the 18th century. These are also said to be the most complex form of the bagpipes. The modern version of the Uilleann pipes was said to have arrived on the music scenario around the 1890s.

Fiddle:
The violin or the fiddle (as it was known locally) is one of the most important instruments used in the various compositions of Irish music. The fiddle, available in a variety of shapes and sizes was considered to be very similar to the violin.

Accordian:
The accordian plays an important part in modern Irish music. The popularity of the accordian gained ground, sometime in the 19th century and this was also used commonly for dance in the typical Irish traditions.

Harp:
The harp is one such musical instrument in the Irish music scene that is found at least 5,000 years back in history. Generally, the harp rests between the knees and the right shoulder. Although traditionally, the harp was placed over the left shoulder by some early Irish and Scottish harps.

Bouzouki:
The first bouzouki was built by John Bailey; for John Pearse. The bouzouki arrived on the scene of the Irish music in the late 1960s, Irish bouzouki’s have a flat back or a slightly arched back as compared to the Greek bouzouki. The Irish bouzouki also has 4 pairs of strings as compared to the other kinds of bouzouki that are available.

Mandolin:
This music instrument also enjoyed a prominent position in Irish music. It is noticed that most Irish musicians who used the mandolin preferred the flat back instruments, which had an oval sound hole as compared to the Italian style.

Banjo:
The banjo was introduced on the Irish music scene by emigrants that came from the United States. The function of the banjo is considered to be similar to the bauzouki and even the mandolin which was used in Irish music.

Apart from this, the harmonica, guitar, flute, bodhrn, concertina etc., are also used in Irish music. Today, various other forms of music have also incorporated the traditional forms of Irish music in its compositions. Several groups on the music scene have combined Irish music very successfully to introduce a new kind of music or in a way to revive the traditional Irish music for the youngsters. Music therefore, has a strong foothold in Irish culture.

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