There are a number of flags that represent Ireland, from the Red Saltire that represents the Cross of Saint Patrick to the shamrock-crested green banner that represents the Ireland rugby team. The national flag of Ireland, or ‘An Bhratach Náisiúnta’, is the official flag of the Irish Republic.
Old Irish was the language of Ireland’s “Golden Age”, and its classical phase is generally assigned to the period AD 700-850. Old Irish evolved into Middle Irish, the language of the late Viking and post-Viking period. In comparison with Old Irish, Middle Irish is characterized by a simplification of the inflections of noun and verb and of the system of pronouns.
Posted in Art and Culture, Literature 
Tags: Culture, Irish Gaelic, Language 
Last Updated: 5 Oct 2010
Irish is a Celtic language and, as such, is a member of the Indo-European family of languages. Within the Celtic group, it belongs to the Goidelic branch of insular Celtic. Irish has evolved from a form of Celtic introduced into Ireland during the great Celtic migrations between the end of the second millennium and the fourth century BC.
Irish dancing has seen a major boost in recent years with the global success of Riverdance and, Michael Flatley’s, Lord of the Dance. There are three dance schools that operate in Crawley who wish to extend their welcome for more participants.
Here are just a few phrases in Irish but the pronunciation may be difficult for beginners. It also differs from province to province. Why not come along to some classes to learn how to master it?
As with many nations, there are a number of flags that represent Ireland at home and abroad here are just a few.
For millions of people, June 16 is an extraordinary day. On that day in 1904, Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom each took their epic journeys through Dublin in James Joyce’s Ulysses, the world’s most highly acclaimed modern novel. “Bloomsday”, as it is now known, has become a tradition for Joyce enthusiasts all over the world.
There are a number of musical instruments used by traditional musicians. Many perceive the instruments as being Celtic or Irish in origin. But, truth be told, it seems that the Celts are to musical instruments as magpies are to metallic objects.
Posted in Art and Culture, Music Tags: Bodhrán, Bouzouki, Harp, Musical Intruments Last Updated: 2 Nov 2010
What is now four provinces was probably five in ancient times: indicated by the Irish word for the provinces: Cúigí (meaning fifths). The fifths are Ulster, Connacht, Munster, Leinster and Meath.
Author Winnie Czulinski invites you to test your knowledge of Celtic culture.
