7.2 million people live in Ireland, but almost 80 million people globally claim to have Irish heritage. Migration is a common part of the Irish story, whether to America during the Great Famine of the 1840s or leaving for Australia today. These migrants carry Irish traditions and culture with them, passing their heritage down to the next generation.
At MyHeritage, we’ll help you navigate and access millions of Irish genealogy records, from the 1901 Census of Ireland to information on Gaelic surnames and Irish church records. In this article, we’re exploring the Irish traditions that are being kept alive across the world by immigrant families and how you can trace your Irish genealogy with MyHeritage.
Irish Family Culture Rooted in Tradition
Like many European cultures, Irish traditions revolve heavily around family and kinship. The kitchen table is one of the most important parts of any home, a place for sharing meals, telling stories, and hosting guests. It’s not uncommon for families to live within walking distance of each other, often even on the same land.
Grandparents and older family members play a crucial part in passing down traditions through storytelling, including sharing music and folklore. Irish citizens who migrate often share these same traditions with their new families.
Irish Faiths, Festivals, and Customs
Ireland remains a primarily Catholic country with the religion finding its way into everyday life, from traditions like making St. Brigid’s crosses to blessing new homes with holy water. St. Patrick’s Day is a major holiday, celebrated globally by the Irish diaspora with cities with large Irish populations, like Sydney, New York, and Chicago, putting on public parades and celebrations.
One of the most unique Irish customs, grounded in Catholic faith and a culture focused on family life, is an Irish wake. The deceased is brought back to their home for three days, during which time friends and family visit and prayers are held, with the casket finally closed before their funeral.
Understanding Irish Language, Lore, and Identity
While Catholicism is the main religion, Irish folklore and pagan traditions are still common. Stories of the Tír na nÓg, a land of eternal youth, and superstitions about banshees are passed down from one generation to the next. Many popular Irish names come from popular lore, from ‘Aine’, the Queen of the Fairies, to ‘Niamh’, from the legend of Tír na nÓg.
There are symbols of Irish heritage in the home of any Irish immigrant family. Celtic knots in artwork and Claddagh rings in gifts are just as popular outside of Ireland as they are in the country itself.
Recent years have seen a revival of Gaelic, the native Irish language. Although not commonly spoken outside of areas known as a ‘gaeltacht’, where Irish remains the primary language, it continues to be taught in school with many Gen Zs and millennials reviving the language at home. If you have Irish heritage, you can follow the trend by using apps like Duolingo to start your journey learning Gaelic.
Irish Culture: Music, Song, and Dance
Music, song, and dance play a vital part in Irish culture. Traditional music is a core part of Irish identity, from rebel songs inspired by the Irish War of Independence to traditional lullabies and ballads. Instruments like the fiddle and bodhrán are still played today, whether it’s in a small pub or for céilí dancing, a type of group dancing performed to folk music.
The Irish diaspora, from Canada to Australia and beyond, continue their tradition and culture through GAA clubs, Irish pubs, and sharing stories of Irish customs. If you’re a second-generation immigrant, you might explore your heritage by taking part in Gaelic sports, like camogie and hurling, or trying Irish dancing.
Tracing Your Irish Roots with MyHeritage
You can tap into and embrace Irish traditions anywhere in the world. While you can explore the culture through GAA clubs and reading Irish folklore, MyHeritage helps you trace your Irish roots. You can learn more about Gaelic surnames and start tracing the branches of your family tree.
Start with what you know and work one generation at a time. If your ancestors immigrated from Ireland, you could use their arrival documents for clues to their life in Ireland. If you’re researching ancestors alive before 1864, you’ll rely heavily on church records. After 1864, civil registration records and census reports were introduced.
There are millions of Irish records to explore on MyHeritage, dating back to 1484, and you can use DNA testing to find Irish relatives and unlock lost parts of your family tree.
Keep Irish Traditions Alive By Discovering Your Family History in Ireland
Being Irish is about acknowledging your heritage and celebrating the past. Tracing your Irish roots with MyHeritage is the first step to connecting with your family’s past. Sign up for a free trial today and keep your Irish heritage alive by incorporating these traditions into your lifestyle.
The post Being Irish: Tradition and Genealogy appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Source: My Heritage
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