My Ireland
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Ireland’s culture
Ireland’s spirit can’t be captured; it has to be lived. The stories, scenery, songs and special atmosphere are what bring people back here, time and time again
The sea, the sea
As Ireland is an island, it’s no surprise that our culture is deeply connected to the sea. From the literature of the Blasket Islands to the famous Aran sweater (created to keep fishermen warm), the sea has shaped lives, moulded myths and sculpted over 3,000km of coastline.
Journeys across seas and oceans have always been a part of life here and a good place to get an insight into this history is at the Cobh Heritage Centre in County Cork, where you can learn about everything from transportations to the British colonies in the 18th century to the departure of Titanic in the 20th. In Belfast, walk the Maritime Mile to discover the stories behind the city’s fascinating maritime past.
Did sea define the land or land the sea? Each drew new meaning from the waves' collision. Sea broke on land to full identity.
Seamus Heaney, Lovers on Aran
Sea scenes from around Ireland
L-R: Sea cliffs, County Mayo; Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland, County Kerry; Carnlough Harbour, County Antrim
Keepers of tradition
Ireland’s coastal communities play a huge part in keeping the Irish language alive. Visit Achill Island in County Mayo, Connemara in County Galway, or the western parts of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry and you’ll hear locals speaking Irish.
Further north in County Antrim and along the Ards Peninsula in County Down, the same is true for speakers of Ulster-Scots (Ullans), whose vibrant music and dance traditions keep the culture alive.
Dublin Mountains
Languages of Ireland
Hello! Howaya! Dia duit! Whit aboot ye? Here's all you need to know about Ireland's languages.
Literary heritage
For a small island, Ireland’s contribution to world literature is immense. From playwrights to poets, songwriters to storytellers, Ireland’s literary heritage takes in four Nobel prizewinners (George Bernard Shaw, WB Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney), and continues to thrive today. These writers follow a historic tradition of storytelling across the island of Ireland, which once took the form of folklore, heroic tales and myths passed down by people known as seanchaí.
Storytellers such as Marianne McShane and Pat Speight still captivate crowds with Irish myths and folklore in pubs and at festivals across the island; literary events, such as Bloomsday, the Dalkey Book Festival and Hinterland in Kells, County Meath, are highlights of the cultural calendar; or you can walk in the footsteps of our most celebrated writers while losing yourself in their words on the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl.
The Long Room at Trinity College Dublin
Music
While many a story has been told in the firelit, stone-floored surrounds of a traditional Irish pub, they’re also great places to enjoy some music. Dotted around the island, from the cosmopolitan cities of Cork and Waterford to quiet rural gem such as the 17th century thatched cottage of Crosskeys Inn, County Antrim, are hundreds of traditional pubs with a weekly roster of in-house musicians and guest performers.
Drop in, sit back and enjoy the tunes. And if you’ve got the know-how, pull up a stool and join in… the more the merrier.
Music in Ireland
L-R: Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, County Longford; Belfast Hidden Tours; musician at the Rostrevor Inn, County Down; uilleann pipes
On with the games
And finally, where would you be on the island of Ireland without a sporting event? From horse racing to golf, sports in Ireland are a very big deal, and it’s definitely worth checking out some Gaelic games when you’re here.
The origin of the games stems back centuries, with hurling’s roots even referenced in Irish mythology, when the hero Cú Chulainn used a hurling stick and ball, known as a “sliotar”, to kill a vicious hound. Gaelic football and hurling are the most popular, but the games also include camogie and handball, so grab a flag, check a game and feel the passion.
Hurling lesson, County Galway
What to look out for
Established in 1929, the International North West 200 is now one of the fastest motorsports courses in the world and is the largest sporting event in Northern Ireland.
Titanic Experience Cobh
The story of the Titanic has captured the hearts and minds of millions. From descendants of crew and passengers, to the just plain fascinated, the story has been re-told over and over from Belfast to Hollywood.
Cork
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Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours
Leaving from Ventry Harbour, County Kerry, Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours explore the remote islands of the archipelago and their abundant wildlife including dolphins, basking sharks, whales, seals, puffins and many more.
Kerry
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Rathlin Island Boathouse Visitor's Centre
Spend time in the Boathouse Visitor Centre for a dip into Rathlin's history.
Rathlin Island
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Seamus Heaney HomePlace
Seamus Heaney HomePlace takes you on an inspiring journey through the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers. Situated between his two childhood homes at Mossbawn and The Wood, and only a few hundred yards from St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, which he chose as his final resting place, HomePlace is at the heart of the area that inspired so much of the poet’s work.
Bellaghy
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Museum of Literature Ireland
Whether you are new to Irish literature or an expert, you will be inspired and surprised at MoLI – The Museum of Literature Ireland. Located at 86 St. Stephens Green in the historic UCD Newman House, where James Joyce once studied, MoLI is an interactive celebration of Irish poets, playwrights and novelists. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Irish literature. The Commons Café and MoLi Shop are free to visit.
Dublin
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Siamsa Tíre Theatre and Arts Centre, Tralee
Siamsa Tíre Theatre and Arts Centre, Tralee is nestled in the middle of Tralee Town, along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way. Developed in 1991, the bespoke venue boasts a fully accessible 350 seat theatre, a spacious rehearsal studio, a dedicated music room and inspiring gallery spaces. All of these are designed to celebrate the richness of Ireland's artistic and cultural heritage along with contemporary arts.
Kerry
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Clash Gaelic Games
Clash Gaelic Games is an activity operator that provides fun, introductory sessions to Gaelic Games for visitors to Ireland. Based in the coastal town of Portmarnock, they are 13km from Dublin City Centre and easily accessed by bus.
Dublin
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Downpatrick Racecourse
Downpatrick Racecourse is the oldest racecourse in Ireland, dating back to 1685. Today, we host 10 fixtures each year with our feature being the Randox Ulster National which this year takes place on Sunday 2nd April. The Racecourse is a hub of local life and attracts visitors from far and wide
Downpatrick
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Royal Portrush Golf Club
Founded in 1888, the legendary Royal Portrush Golf Club has two Championship Courses - the renowned Dunluce Course and the smaller, but equally enjoyable Valley Course. Proud Hosts of The 148th Open in 2019.
Portrush
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