Culture

The culture of Ireland is deeply influenced by its history. The cultural traditions of the land are clearly evident from its warmth and hospitality, delicious cuisine, great music and a beautiful landscape. Also included is the typical pub culture of the Irish people, which is an integral part of their society and social customs. The pubs, in Ireland, function as meeting places for different types of people from the different segments of the society. The historical monuments, buildings and constructions stand as an evidence of the rich architecture and cultural heritage of the ancient Ireland. Some notable cultural diversity can be found between the people of the rural and urban areas of the country including the Protestant and the Catholic population residing in the Northern Ireland and also between the Irish and English speaking people. A slight variation is also found between the Irish-speaking people staying within and outside the Gaeltacht regions. With the increasing number of immigrants moving to Ireland, the cultural diversity has become all the more prominent between these people and the native Irish population.

A. Music

The rich cultural heritage of Ireland is reflected in its famous traditional music. The people of Ireland started composing English ballads a long time back enhancing the musical tradition of the Irish people. Traditional Irish music originated mostly in the rural areas and was passed down from one generation to the next. Irish folk music includes Irish songs, melodies, Anglo-Irish songs and the countryside ballads. Music formed an integral part in every aspect of their daily life, starting from birth and work to the mourning of the dead, especially in the Gaelic speaking regions of Ireland. Dublin was considered to be the center for all musical activities of the ruling class. Some of the major instruments used in the traditional Irish music include harp, guitar, banjo, fiddle, Uillean Pipes, flute, mandolin, whistles, accordion and concertina and harmonica to name a few. Music in ceremonies and occasions is considered to be mandatory. Some of the popular fiddlers of Ireland include Paddy Killoran, Michael Coleman. Patsy Touhy and Tom Ennis are among the famous Irish Uillean Pipers while William J. Mullally gained fame and reputation as a concertina player. In the late 1930s the ‘Ceili Band' became famous with fiddles, banjo, flutes, banjo and accordion and also added drums and piano to this combination.

B. Language

The official language of Ireland is English. However, Irish is also spoken in some parts of the country, especially in the western coasts. The coastal areas of Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Cork and Kerry are known as the Galetacht together, where the Gaeltacht Ministry (formed in 1956) is instrumental behind the survival of the native Irish or Gaelic language. Almost 75% of the people in this area speak Irish. As part of the Celtic language, Irish has its roots in the Indo European languages. Sometimes it is referred to as the Gaelic language, but should ideally be defined as Irish Gaelic. The language derives its name from the name ‘Gale' given to the Celts. ‘Gaelige' stands for the word ‘language' in Irish. Nevertheless, visitors will not face any problem while speaking in English in Ireland as it has already gained the official status. However, while in Ireland, visitors can always utilize an opportunity to listen to the traditional Irish Gaelic if they come to encounter with an Irish Gaelic speaker.

C. Religious Practices

Although, Ireland does not have any official state religion, according to some opinions the state has been giving special considerations to the Catholic Church since its inception. The 1991 census showed 92% of the population as Roman Catholics, 2.4% belonging to the Anglican Church of Ireland, 0.4% as Presbyterians and 0.1% as Methodists. A minor 0.4% of Jewish presence can also be found here while 2.4% of the population belongs to other religious groups. Christian revivalism has contributed to the changing ways of the formal church institutions. Four ecclesiastical provinces of the Catholic Church encompass the whole island. Death and funerary customs are linked directly to the various rituals of the Catholic Church.

The holy wells found here are often associated with saints, specific rituals, feats and special days and attract a large number of tourists all through the year. Pilgrimages to Knock and Croagh Patrick Mountain is considered to be extremely holy due to its association with Saint Patrick and are therefore, deeply related to Catholic beliefs and religious practices. The holy days in the official Irish Catholic Church calendar are declared as national holidays. Within the worldwide Anglican Communion the Church of Ireland contains twelve dioceses. Approximately twenty thousand people serve the various Catholic religious orders with a total population of 3.9 million Roman Catholics combining Ireland and Northern Ireland.

D. Major Events

Wednesday, 15 March - Sunday, March 19

St. Patrick's Festival 2005

Dublin City

Co. Dublin

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 1 676-3205

Fax: +353 (0) 1 676-3208

Email:info@stpatricksday.ie

Website: http://www.stpatricksday.ie/

St. Patrick's Festival is considered to be one of the biggest and grand annual events celebrated in this country. This event proffers entertainment to all ages and interest. The Festival program features music, theatre, family carnivals, comedy, street arts, visual arts, dance, a treasure hunt, symposium, and cavalcades of vintage car. Apart from this there are more than 4000 performers that entertain and entice more than 1.5 million audiences. This is a fantastic 5-day event filled with fun and frolic.

Tuesday, 18 April - Sunday, 23 April

Pan Celtic Festival

Kilkenny

Co. Kilkenny

For more information

Email: panceltic@eircom.net

Website: http://www.panceltic.com

This is the perfect opportunity to witness majestic displays of Celtic dancing, pipe band performances, a colorful street parade and choral performances in all of the Celtic languages.

Wednesday, 26 April - Sunday, 30 April

Cork International Choral Festival

Cork City

Co. Cork

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 21 430-8308

Fax: +353 21 430-8309

Email: chorfest@iol.ie

Website: http://www.corkchoral.ie/

Every year the Cork International Choral Festival merges some of the best choirs to perform in Cork's City Hall, which is the most grand and amongst the best music venues in Ireland. The Festival's prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy Competition ranks extremely high amongst the top choral competitions in Europe and time after time has been a center of attention and has performed some of the top class choirs of international standing.

Friday, 28 April - Monday, 1 May

Carlsberg Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Weekend Festival

Kilkenny City

Co. Kilkenny

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 56 7790057

Fax: +353 (0) 56 7790069

Email: info@kilkennyroots.com

Website: http://www.kilkennyroots.com

The event has contributes to some of the most remarkable performances by some of the prominent acts in the world of roots music.

Friday, 16 June

Bloomsday Festival

Dublin City

Co. Dublin

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 1 878-8547

Fax: +353 (0) 1 878-8488

Email: joycecen@iol.ie

Website: http://www.jamesjoyce.ie/

It is a celebration of James Joyce and his literary masterpiece, Ulysses. There are readings, re-enactments, music, theatre, street theatre, and many other unofficial activities, which take place throughout the city.

Monday, 17 July - Sunday, 30 July

Galway Arts Festival

Galway City

Co. Galway

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 91 509700

Fax: +353 91 562655

Email: info@galwayartsfestival.ie

Website: http://www.galwayartsfestival.com/

This sole event is beyond doubt one of the best international celebration of the visual arts.

Wednesday, 09 August - Sunday, 13 August

Dublin Horse Show

Royal Dublin Society (RDS)

Ballsbridge, Dublin

Co. Dublin

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 1 660-8666

Fax: +353 (0) 1-660-4014

Email: marketing@rds.ie

Website: http://www.rds.ie/

This horse show is the world's top event that entices the top national and international show-jumpers.

Thursday, 10 August - Saturday, 12 August

Puck Fair, Kilorglin

Co. Kerry

For more information:

TeleTel: + 353 (0) 66 976 2366

Fax: + 353 (0) 66 976 2366

Email: info@puckfair.ie

Website: http://www.puckfair.ie/

The main events of the festival features traditional horse fair, parade and coronation ceremony of King Puck, open-air night concerts, fireworks display, children's competitions, street entertainers and dancing displays.

Friday, 25 August - Sunday, 27 August

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann

Letterkenny

Co. Donegal

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 1 280-0295

Fax: +353 (0) 1 280-3759

Email: enquiries@comhaltas.com

Website: http://www.comhaltas.com/

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann is Ireland's foremost conventional and traditional festival. Musicians who come from far away participate in this annual traditional music event.

Thursday, 28 September - Sunday, 01 October

Galway International Oyster Festival

Galway

Co. Galway

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 91 522066

Fax: +353 (0) 91 527282

Email: info@galwayoysterfest.com

Website: http://www.galwayoysterfest.com

This is voted to be one of the 12 greatest shows on earth. This is a complete fun weekend along with non-stop entertainment that comprises of national and international top class artists, cabaret and dancing.

Friday, 29 September - Saturday, 14 October

Dublin Theatre Festival

Dublin

Co. Dublin Various Venues around Dublin City Center

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 1 677 8439

Fax: +353 1 679 7709

Email: info@dublintheatrefestival.com

Website: http://www.dublintheatrefestival.com/

The festival features some of the best and diverse entertaining programs.

Sunday, 01 October - Sunday 08 October

Ballinasloe Great October Fair

Ballinsaloe

Co. Galway

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 90 9643453

Fax: +353 (0) 90 9644132

Email: croffyc@eircom.net

Website: http://www.ballinasloe.com

This festival has something for everyone and caters to all the varied tastes and preferences of tourists. This event comprises of the horses and pony events, show jumping, street stalls, fireworks, tug-o-war and much more.

Monday, 09 October - Monday, 16 October

Cork International Film Festival

Cork City

Co. Cork - Various Venues within the city

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 21 427-1711

Fax: +353 (0) 21 427-5945

Email: info@corkfilmfest.org

Website: http://www.corkfilmfest.org/

This festival is the oldest Ireland's film event and was started in 1956. This event brought the Irish audiences to the best of international cinema and served to be a platform for new Irish cinema.

Monday, 30 October

Dublin City Marathon

Dublin City Center

Co. Dublin

For more information:

TeleTel: +353 (0) 1 626-3746 / 623-2550

Fax: +353 (0) 1 626-3757

Email: bhaa@eircom.net

Website: http://www.dublincitymarathon.ie/

This year will be the 27th year of the Dublin City Marathon, which is run through the historic Georgian streets of Dublin.

E. Ettiquette / Do's and Don'ts

Do's

- Try and address people by their professional titles.

- Maintain eye contact and extend a warm greeting as you shake hands.

- Do try and keep a conservative manner and this applies to both in personal and professional contexts as this is highly regarded by the Irish.

- Make certain that any information you provide anyone with is sensible and realistic.

- Make sure you keep in mind never to praise the English in front of the locals or refer to the Irish as being English or British.

- When you are being spoken to, make sure you listen carefully.

- In business settings present a gift to someone only if you have been presented with one.

- Gifts are expected for social and family occasions. Appreciated Gifts include Fine chocolates, Wine, Flowers, and branded signature pens.

- Do dress smartly as it is important in Irish business culture.

- For any business setting, a Suit and tie is standard.

- Women can wear suits or blazers conservatively.

Don'ts

- Never keep your hands out of your pockets, especially when talking.