CULTURE Religion Religious Practitioners. The Catholic Church has four ecclesiastical provinces, which encompass the whole island, thus crossing the boundary with Northern Ireland. The Archbishop of Armagh in Northern Ireland is the Primate of All Ireland. The diocesan structure, in which thirteen hundred parishes are served by four thousand priests, dates to the twelfth century and does not coincide with political boundaries. There are approximately twenty thousand people serving in various Catholic religious orders, out of a combined Ireland and Northern Ireland Catholic population of 3.9 million. The Church of Ireland, which has twelve dioceses, is an autonomous church within the worldwide Anglican Communion. Its Primate of All Ireland is the Archbishop of Armagh, and its total membership is 380,000, 75 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland. There are 312,000 Presbyterians on the island (95 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland), grouped into 562 congregations and twenty-one presbyteries. Literature The literary renaissance of the late nineteenth century integrated the hundreds-year-old traditions of writing in Irish with those of English, in what has come to be known as Anglo-Irish literature. Some of the greatest writers in English over the last century were Irish: W. B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Frank O'Connor, Seán O'Faoláin, Seán O'Casey, Flann O'Brien, and Seamus Heaney. They and many others have constituted an unsurpassable record of a national experience that has universal appeal. Music Singing is a favourite pastime in Ireland and traditional Celtic music is an important part of the Irish culture. Some of the traditional musical instruments consist of the button accordion, harp, tin whistle, fiddle, bedhran (drum), and Uilleann pipes. For additional information on the instruments of Irish music. Contemporary music is also very popular in Ireland and Ireland boasts many famous musicians and bands such as; Enya, and U2. There is plenty of opportunity in Ireland to enjoy classical, pop, rock and jazz concerts. Dancing The Irish word “céili” is used to describe an informal evening of traditional Irish music and dancing. Irish step-dancing is performed mostly with the legs and feet while the arms hang stiffly at the side. The traditional Irish dress for Irish female dancers are copies of the traditional Irish peasant dress and feature elaborate Gaelic designs. The shoes are similar to ballet shoes which are laced over the feet and the ankles. The male's costume is less elaborate; men wear plain kilts or pants and jackets and folded cloaks hanging from the shoulders, called brats. RiverDance and Lord of the Dance have brought international acclaim to Irish music and dance. RiverDance is an exciting performance of music, dancing and singing. The performance depicts the evolution of Irish culture and its influence on other cultures through immigration during the potato famine. The Lord of the Dance is an outstanding dance performance and a celebration of the Celtic heritage. St Patricks Day Traditions March 17th marks the day of St Patrick, celebrated by millions of people around the world. In Ireland, St Patrick’s Day was always held as an important religious day to celebrate the teachings of Christianity by St Patrick. Halloween Traditions in Ireland To-day Halloween is celebrated all around the globe but the Halloween Holiday has its history firmly planted in Ireland. Halloween is also known as Samhain, All Hallows Eve, Hallowmas and Hallowtide. It is celebrated on 31st October but the holiday of Halloween is not just celebrated on the one day any more as the Christian holidays of All Saints Day, November 1st and All Souls Day, November 2nd are celebrated as well. Celebrating Christmas in Ireland Most, if not all, Irish families decorate their homes with lights, tinsel and baubles. A Christmas tree is usually erected in the family home on the first day of the holy advent calendar. The tree will be beautifully decorated with an angel on top, presents will lay underneath as seen with many family homes around the world.

CULTURE

Religion

Religious Practitioners.  The Catholic Church has four ecclesiastical provinces, which encompass the whole island, thus crossing the boundary with Northern Ireland. The Archbishop of Armagh in Northern Ireland is the Primate of All Ireland. The diocesan structure, in which thirteen hundred parishes are served by four thousand priests, dates to the twelfth century and does not coincide with political boundaries. There are approximately twenty thousand people serving in various Catholic religious orders, out of a combined Ireland and Northern Ireland Catholic population of 3.9 million. The Church of Ireland, which has twelve dioceses, is an autonomous church within the worldwide Anglican Communion. Its Primate of All Ireland is the Archbishop of Armagh, and its total membership is 380,000, 75 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland. There are 312,000 Presbyterians on the island (95 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland), grouped into 562 congregations and twenty-one presbyteries. 

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Literature

The literary renaissance of the late nineteenth century integrated the hundreds-year-old traditions of writing in Irish with those of English, in what has come to be known as Anglo-Irish literature. Some of the greatest writers in English over the last century were Irish: W. B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Frank O'Connor, Seán O'Faoláin, Seán O'Casey, Flann O'Brien, and Seamus Heaney. They and many others have constituted an unsurpassable record of a national experience that has universal appeal.

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Music

Singing is a favourite pastime in Ireland and traditional Celtic music is an important part of the Irish culture. Some of the traditional musical instruments consist of the button accordion, harp, tin whistle, fiddle, bedhran (drum), and Uilleann pipes. For additional information on the instruments of Irish music.

Contemporary music is also very popular in Ireland and Ireland boasts many famous musicians and bands such as; Enya,  and U2. There is plenty of opportunity in Ireland to enjoy classical, pop, rock and jazz concerts. 

Dancing

The Irish word “céili” is used to describe an informal evening of traditional Irish music and dancing. Irish step-dancing is performed mostly with the legs and feet while the arms hang stiffly at the side. The traditional Irish dress for Irish female dancers are copies of the traditional Irish peasant dress and feature elaborate Gaelic designs. The shoes are similar to ballet shoes which are laced over the feet and the ankles. The male's costume is less elaborate; men wear plain kilts or pants and jackets and folded cloaks hanging from the shoulders, called brats.
RiverDance and Lord of the Dance have brought international acclaim to Irish music and dance. RiverDance is an exciting performance of music, dancing and singing. The performance depicts the evolution of Irish culture and its influence on other cultures through immigration during the potato famine. The Lord of the Dance is an outstanding dance performance and a celebration of the Celtic heritage. 

St Patricks Day Traditions

March 17th marks the day of St Patrick, celebrated by millions of people around the world. In Ireland, St Patrick’s Day was always held as an important religious day to celebrate the teachings of Christianity by St Patrick.

Halloween Traditions in Ireland

To-day Halloween is celebrated all around the globe but the Halloween Holiday has its history firmly planted in Ireland. Halloween is also known as Samhain, All Hallows Eve, Hallowmas and Hallowtide. It is celebrated on 31st October but the holiday of Halloween is not just celebrated on the one day any more as the Christian holidays of All Saints Day, November 1st and All Souls Day, November 2nd are celebrated as well. 

Celebrating Christmas in Ireland

Most, if not all, Irish families decorate their homes with lights, tinsel and baubles. A Christmas tree is usually erected in the family home on the first day of the holy advent calendar. The tree will be beautifully decorated with an angel on top, presents will lay underneath as seen with many family homes around the world.

IRELAND CULTURE

CULTURE

Religion

Religious Practitioners.  The Catholic Church has four ecclesiastical provinces, which encompass the whole island, thus crossing the boundary with Northern Ireland. The Archbishop of Armagh in Northern Ireland is the Primate of All Ireland. The diocesan structure, in which thirteen hundred parishes are served by four thousand priests, dates to the twelfth century and does not coincide with political boundaries. There are approximately twenty thousand people serving in various Catholic religious orders, out of a combined Ireland and Northern Ireland Catholic population of 3.9 million. The Church of Ireland, which has twelve dioceses, is an autonomous church within the worldwide Anglican Communion. Its Primate of All Ireland is the Archbishop of Armagh, and its total membership is 380,000, 75 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland. There are 312,000 Presbyterians on the island (95 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland), grouped into 562 congregations and twenty-one presbyteries.

Literature

The literary renaissance of the late nineteenth century integrated the hundreds-year-old traditions of writing in Irish with those of English, in what has come to be known as Anglo-Irish literature. Some of the greatest writers in English over the last century were Irish: W. B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Frank O'Connor, Seán O'Faoláin, Seán O'Casey, Flann O'Brien, and Seamus Heaney. They and many others have constituted an unsurpassable record of a national experience that has universal appeal.

Music

Singing is a favourite pastime in Ireland and traditional Celtic music is an important part of the Irish culture. Some of the traditional musical instruments consist of the button accordion, harp, tin whistle, fiddle, bedhran (drum), and Uilleann pipes. For additional information on the instruments of Irish music.

Contemporary music is also very popular in Ireland and Ireland boasts many famous musicians and bands such as; Enya,  and U2. There is plenty of opportunity in Ireland to enjoy classical, pop, rock and jazz concerts.

Dancing

The Irish word “céili” is used to describe an informal evening of traditional Irish music and dancing. Irish step-dancing is performed mostly with the legs and feet while the arms hang stiffly at the side. The traditional Irish dress for Irish female dancers are copies of the traditional Irish peasant dress and feature elaborate Gaelic designs. The shoes are similar to ballet shoes which are laced over the feet and the ankles. The male's costume is less elaborate; men wear plain kilts or pants and jackets and folded cloaks hanging from the shoulders, called brats.
RiverDance and Lord of the Dance have brought international acclaim to Irish music and dance. RiverDance is an exciting performance of music, dancing and singing. The performance depicts the evolution of Irish culture and its influence on other cultures through immigration during the potato famine. The Lord of the Dance is an outstanding dance performance and a celebration of the Celtic heritage.

St Patricks Day Traditions

March 17th marks the day of St Patrick, celebrated by millions of people around the world. In Ireland, St Patrick’s Day was always held as an important religious day to celebrate the teachings of Christianity by St Patrick.

Halloween Traditions in Ireland

To-day Halloween is celebrated all around the globe but the Halloween Holiday has its history firmly planted in Ireland. Halloween is also known as Samhain, All Hallows Eve, Hallowmas and Hallowtide. It is celebrated on 31st October but the holiday of Halloween is not just celebrated on the one day any more as the Christian holidays of All Saints Day, November 1st and All Souls Day, November 2nd are celebrated as well.

Celebrating Christmas in Ireland

Most, if not all, Irish families decorate their homes with lights, tinsel and baubles. A Christmas tree is usually erected in the family home on the first day of the holy advent calendar. The tree will be beautifully decorated with an angel on top, presents will lay underneath as seen with many family homes around the world.

TAJ MAHAL; STORY OF LOVE

The Taj Mahal is considered, the best piece of the Mughal architecture, one of the most beautiful buildings and obviously one of the seven marvels of the modern world.

It was built as a mausoleum for the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Mumtaz Mahal was the apple of Shah Jahan´s eye, but she died in the childbirth of her 14^th son. Therefore the emperor fell into depression and he began to build the Taj Mahal as a tribute, as a symbol of his love.

The Taj Mahal was built between 1631 and 1654 in the city of Agra, India, on the river Jumna. More than 20,000 workers built the elaborately designed mausoleum. Materials were brought from across India and Asia on the backs of 1000 elephants.

Its name means Crown Palace and it’s a variation of Princess Mumtaz Mahal´s name. But the true crown of this palace is the marble dome that rises 240 feet in the air. The total cost would top 700 million of dollars of today´s money also we can´t forget that this building is a lesson in geometry, everything is symmetrical.

The Taj Mahal is surrounded by many beautiful gardens with a lot of flowers, it has a small pond which reflects the building, and marble trails. It is finely carved, the building is octagonal, and it has white marble with precious stones carved like flowers, with quotations from the Koran.

Shan Jahan thought of building a similar building but with black marble, in front of the Taj Mahal but crossing the river, to connect the 2 graves with a bridge. But his project was interrupted by one of his sons who sent him to jail. He only enjoyed the gorgeous view of his wife´s mausoleum in his last days.

It´s important to say that nowadays the Taj Mahal is being preserved by many people with big efforts because weather, animals, and tourism are affecting this building. Also there is too much security because unfortunately the building has received many threats from terrorists.