An A to Z of Irish Culture
Ah, g'way out of that! Here’s a grand little list of all the bits and pieces that make our little country so brilliant. From the mighty to the magnificent, have a gander at our A-Z of Irish culture.
Amhrán na bhFiann
Where to start but with our national anthem, a rousing tune, you’ll hear Amhrán na bhFiann sung at every major sporting event and national gathering. It's more than just a song; it's a call to arms for every Irish person to sing along, whether they know the words or not!
Sinne Fianna Fáil…
Banshees
The word "banshee" comes from the Irish phrase bean sí, which means "fairy woman" and is rooted in Irish folklore. These aren't just any old spirits; they're believed to be a family's personal early-warning system, whose wail foretells an upcoming death. So, while their cry might be chilling, they're not malicious, just delivering a very important (and very loud) message.
The term's popularity soared with the Oscar-nominated film The Banshees of Inisherin, which, despite its title, isn't about the screaming spirits at all. The title is a metaphor for a friendship's bitter and tragic end.
Crisp Sandwiches
The ultimate Irish comfort food. A simple sandwich, two slices of good, honest white bread - none of that fancy sourdough shite - a thick hammering of butter and a packet of Tayto or King Cheese & Onion Crisps.
Did you know?
Tayto was founded by Joe “Spud” Murphy and was the world’s first flavoured crisp.
Dustin the Turkey
An iconic puppet and national treasure who was Ireland’s entry in the 2008 Eurovision with his hit “Irelande Douze Pointe”, he even ran for president.
Eejit
A lovely, affectionate term for a silly person. We've all been one.
Father Ted
“Wait a second, these are fake hands!”
Much more than just a comedy; it’s a national religion. Set in the fictional Craggy Island, it follows the misadventures of three priests: the head of the house Father Ted, the utterly daft Father Dougal and Father Jack, a raging alcoholic.
While the show only ran for three seasons in the '90s, its iconic one-liners are still heard around the country today.
GAA
Ah, the GAA, it’s not just a sporting body, is it? The Gaelic Athletic Association is the heart and soul of Irish communities. It's the governing body for Ireland's most iconic national sports: Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. These aren’t just games; they’re a way of life, with clubs acting as the central hub of every parish.
Harp
The symbol of Ireland, found on everything from pennies to pints, you’ll find the harp on: the back of our euro coins, the national airline and also, a classic brand of Irish lager.
Irish Coffee
A beautiful concoction that is more than the sum of its parts. An Irish coffee consists of hot coffee, a healthy shot of Irish whiskey, sugar and a layer of fresh cream.
The magic lies in how you drink it - through the cold cream and into the hot, boozy coffee below. It's the ultimate winter warmer.
Jameson
One of the most famous Irish whiskeys in the world, renowned for its smoothness. It's a classic for a reason - perfect for your Irish coffee!
Kerrygold
The gold standard of butter, exported all over the world but loved most at home. Whether it's melting into a hot scone or being slathered on "doorstop" bread for a crisp sandwich, it’s a national treasure.
Leprechauns
Mischievous little fellas who guard pots of gold at the end of rainbows. Ah, but you see, they aren't just mythical creatures; in folklore, they are said to be solitary fairies who work as cobblers. The sound of their tiny hammers tapping on shoes is often how you can tell one is near.
Finding a bag of gold is easier than actually catching one, as they are master tricksters and will vanish in the blink of an eye.
Mammy
The Irish term for "mother", but it's more than that. She's the heart of the home, the worrier-in-chief and the one who always knows best. There's no problem a cup of tea and a chat with your mammy can't fix.
Ninety-Nine
Not a price tag, but a taste of Irish summer. The 99 is the iconic soft-serve ice cream cone, a tall swirl of creamy vanilla ice-cream topped with a chocolate flake stuck in it. Syrup and sprinkles are your choice. It's an essential treat on a warm day, a simple pleasure that's been a classic for generations.
Oíche Shamhna
The Irish for Halloween, a night of trick-or-treating, bonfires and traditional mischief. It comes from the ancient festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest and start of winter. It all started here in Ireland!
Pints
Whether splitting the “G” or sinking a pint of Kilkenny, we’ve never seen an unhappy Irishman with a pint in his hand. A measure of pure happiness, no half ones here!
Quare
The Swiss Army knife of Irish slang, it's a word that can be used for "very", "strange" or "great". As in, "that's a quare good pint" or "isn't he a quare fella?". It’s a quare handy word, so it is!
Rose of Tralee
A famous international festival that celebrates women of Irish descent. It's an Irish Mammy’s obsession, full of song, dance, and interviews.
What you might not know is that it all started with a love story. The festival is named after a 19th-century ballad about a wealthy Protestant merchant, William Mulchinock, and his forbidden love for a poor Catholic maid, Mary O'Connor, who was known as "The Rose of Tralee" for her beauty.
Spice Bag
A glorious takeaway dish of chips, fried chicken and crispy peppers, all seasoned with a secret spice blend. While its origin is hotly debated, it is believed to have been created from leftovers in Sunflower Chinese in Dublin, as a meal for the staff when they had closed.
If you are not from the country, you may be unfamiliar with the popularity of “Irish Chinese” but the Spice Bag has become a staple of the Irish culinary scene, winning Ireland’s favourite takeaway dish.
Trad
Short for traditional Irish music. A "trad session" in a pub is a lively and essential part of Irish culture where everyone is welcome to come and play along. You'll see and hear the sound of tin whistles, fiddles and bodhráns. The annual Fleadh Ceoil is a week-long trad festival that takes over its hosting town every year!
Umbrellas
An essential accessory in Ireland, where you're guaranteed to see all four seasons in one day. You’d be an awful eejit to leave the house without one!
Vikings
They may have raided our monasteries, but they also founded our major cities like Dublin and Waterford. We'll forgive them, just about. Their legacy even inspired the hit TV series Vikings, which was filmed right here in the Wicklow Mountains.
Wooly Jumpers
Where would you be without your wooly jumper? Whether it’s the Aran wool from the west or a jumper from somewhere else, you’d be lost in Ireland without one, especially in the winter!
Xtra-Vision
A video rental shop that's now a distant memory. The place where you’d spend hours choosing a movie on a rainy Friday night. The smell of the popcorn and the "returns" slot are distinct memories for a generation - a true piece of nostalgia.
Yuppp, YURT!, Yeowww, Yes Lad!
Depending where you are in the country, you might hear young fellas yelling “Yuppp”, “YURT”, “Yeoww” or “Yes LAD!”
Zig and Zag
The alien brothers from Planet Zog who dominated 90's morning TV. With their "podge and rodge" humor and iconic sweaters, they were total legends of "The Den".
