Irish Tradition

“Up until the 1960s, Ireland was a country where change was rejected in favour [sic] of traditional patterns of life and old allegiances. In the Republic of Ireland in the south, the main political parties had their origins in the civil war between the pro- and anti-treaty factions” (Harris 150). Ireland is a land rich with history and culture, the customs that are still in practice date as far back as most can remember. Several customs have moved from country to country as the Irish move from country to country, while most are unaware of the fact that some of the practices that they are using are Irish. Customs of the Irish include many things, from holidays to everyday tasks; these customs include St. Patrick’s Day, Irish dances and music, …show more content…
Every culture and country has traditions and customs that are usually followed by the bride and groom and their families. One tradition before Christianity was introduced to Ireland was “hand fasting”. The pagans to celebrate a couple deciding to be together for however longed they wished, they could even wish their vows to go be “until death do us part” or eternity, created this custom. The ceremony took place by the couple crossing wrists and a figure eight would be formed by a ribbon being tied around them, some speculations say this may be where the term “tying the knot” may have came from (“Your Irish”). Many things are necessary for this day, including planning, which the bride, because of the dowry that her family would have to provide, mainly did. Another key event to this “big day” is the perfect dress and for the Irish that includes a poem, “Marry in white everything’s right. Marry in blue lover be true. Marry in pink spirit’s will sink. Marry in gray live far away. Marry in brown live out of town. Marry in green ashamed to be seen. Marry in yellow ashamed of your fellow. Marry in black wish you were back. Marry in red wish you were dead. Marry in tan he’ll be a loved man. Marry in pearl you’ll live in a whirl” (“Your Irish”). There are more songs and rhymes to figure out what to …show more content…
The past shows us many valuable lessons and the customs of ancestors can explain many things, such as why Americans wear green on Saint Patrick’s Day, river dancing is popular, why marriage is referred to as “tying the knot”, and why ghosts are transparent. Irish customs are still in practice today and have many uses in a person’s daily life that he or she may not even think about while doing the activity. Many people should considered the activities and the way people act according to traditions and customs, especially in a society that seems to be trying to get away as far as possible from all things that are