Traditions and everyday life in IrelandFestivals, family customs, favourite places and everyday traditions, written by members of Global Penfriends who live in Ireland. Each cultural keepsake is a short note about life where they are.
36 keepsakes from Ireland · page 1 of 2
Irish (Gaeilge) is one of the oldest written languages in Europe, with roots going back over 2,500 years. Though English is more commonly spoken today due to colonisation, Gaeilge remains a vital expression of Ireland’s identity…
Shared by Moss and Mind
Ireland is full of old myths and legends. My original hometown is home to a famous battle between half-brothers Ferdia and Cúchulainn. They were heroes who fought for two different armies - the armies of Connacht and Ulster. Once…
Shared by conor_ireland
Its summer. Grass rushes towards the sky. Vibrant sunshine filters through blinds to cast stripes on my apartments walls. The River Boyne meanders past, down towards Drogheda. Bikes and skates lay strewn on the road as children…
Shared by Graham King
St Patrick’s day recently happened in my home town, though it was the first time I worked the holiday . I do a lot of bar work , where I’m from that been a chaos was to be expected eventually….. holiday to support a patriot saint…
Shared by Neko321
Not totally uncommon in Ireland for people to visit friends or family without prior notice, especially in small close knit towns. Basically just going to their home and knocking (or just walking in depending on the area/…
Shared by TheWildRover
This is like a fake national Holliday but it seems nobody outside of Ireland has heard of it. It’s very weird and a bit unneeded but due to nostalgia and the tradition of it, everyone in Ireland loves it! The late late toy show…
Shared by Mibelle
Kilkenny Castle was built over 800 years ago as Anglo-Norman stone castle. Since then it has had many additions and alteration and now sits proudly overlooking Kilkenny City. The original Anglo-Norman stone Castle was built by…
Shared by Elvisfan
Irish dancing is an Irish tradition that has spread world wide. It is an extreme sport and I know myself from dancing at world championship level that it requires an awful lot of self discipline and determination. I gave up…
Shared by Hannah.h283
An extremely special place for me. Taking a drive there on late summer evenings was a regular occurrence during my childhood. Four Knocks is a neolithic passage tomb located in Co.Meath. It is about 5000 years old. If you ask the…
Shared by MaiMai56
Hurling and camogie are very popular sports in Ireland. They are basically the same but hurling is for males and camogie is for females. It is a ball sport with a small leather ball called a sliotar. Players hit the ball with a…
Shared by chaoticcookie
the claddagh ring originates from county galway! it shows a persons marital and relationship status. it can be worn by any gender and is a beautiful ring. you wear it on your ring finger on your right hand. heart facing inwards…
Shared by radioangels
Bray is probably one of my favourite beaches in Dublin (even though it's technically not in Dublin). There is something about Ireland in the sun and especially near the sea side that makes it special and beyond beautiful. The…
Shared by vint0pia
The folkpark provides an insight into what life was like for both working and upper class people in Ireland during the 19th century. It focuses on the Great Hunger and, as you move through the park, you also follow the journey of…
Shared by jordansn
The seas around Ireland tend to be very cold but that doesn’t stop many people from jumping in at all times of the year! The Christmas Day dip for charity is very popular and you can see everyone from the Taoiseach (prime…
Shared by Bookworm1991
We celebrate St Bridget’s day (Lá Fhéile Bríde) to mark the beginning of spring on the first of February. It traditionally involve making crosses from rushes, reeds or even straw on St. Brigid's Eve. By placing a cross above your…
Shared by gigimacca
This is my very favourite place in Ireland, When Dublin are playing a GAA football matchthis is a very loud and special sports arena. GAA football is one of our national games its kind of a cross between soccer and basketball…
Shared by Flipyou4real
Claddagh rings come from Galway on the West Coast of Ireland and are traditionally worn by women and girls. The Claddagh symbol is a heart wearing a crown, held by two hands. Typically, the ring is worn with the heart facing…
Shared by Fifine13
This summer I went on quite a few hikes, one of which was a three day hike, across half the Wicklow Way trail. The photos attached are of the view from Djouce Mountain along the Wicklow Way hiking trail. It was a tough journey…
Shared by Fianna
The bridge in my village was built around 1320 and is still carrying road traffic, making it one of Europe’s oldest operational bridges. It was widened in the 18th century, but its original medieval arches remain.Pretty cool if…
Shared by StoneWoll
Phoenix Park is a beautiful 1750 acre park near my apartment & where I walk my dog regularly. There are wild deer here! As well as Dublin Zoo, the president of Ireland's home Aras an Uachtarain and the official residence of the…
Shared by Benni81
Irish people often go to the pub on the weekend to hang out and relax. Most drink alcohol but you don't have to. I go with my friends the whole time and I don't drink and nobody cares or judges or pressures you to drink
Shared by mmurf619
Everyone in Ireland loves a cup of tea. It's basically a national hobby here. People could go through dozens of cups a day. Half the time, I relatively sure people are more tea than human to be honest.
Shared by Josh14
The Limerick county hurling team (also known as The Treaty County or The Shannonsiders) represents county Limerick in hurling, they have 12 All Ireland and 25 Munster titles
Shared by ziggydo0
In my area of rural Ireland, everyone is Supposed to go to mass. It is a rather large event and everyone dresses nicely. PS. It is a Christian Catholic mass
Shared by GlobalFriend123
Its an Irish festival held every year to celebrate our national saint of Ireland, also celebrated worldwide!! St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland.
Shared by Dymphna
Did you know that Cork harbour is the second biggesr natutal harbour in the work. The image below is a refractive rainbow in the evening sky over Cork.
Shared by Rogerfrench223
Some pics from the nearby city, it’s very pretty when it’s sunny. The cathedral is very beautiful and always surrounded with flowers which I love.
Shared by Z031
Tayto Park is an amusement park themed around the Irish potato crisp brand called Tayto. Its mascot is Mr Tayto. (Yes, he is just a giant potato.)
Shared by aramide
Me and my family/friends go to the beaches nearby often because the sea is so beautiful when the sun sets and there are seals in our area
Shared by El.444Want to hear about life in Ireland first-hand? Write to a penpal who lives there.
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