Traditional Music
Whereever you go in Ireland, you won't be far from a pub with live music. Ireland is the only country in the world to have a musical instrument "the harp" as its national emblem. And this shows that the Irish have a special place in their heart for music. They say that "music is a national passion!"
| Here you can see a Uillean pipe, a fiddle and a bodhrán used by musicians |  |
Traditional Instruments
The bodhrán - is a hand-held goatskin drum that is usually played with a small stick.
The harp - has been played in Ireland since the 10th century.
The flute and tin whistle - are among the most common instruments used in traditional Irish music.
The violin - is called a fiddle by most musicians. The style of playing and sound produced varies from region to region.
The uillean pipes - are similar to bagpipes and are generally considered to be one of the main instruments in Irish traditional music.
The banjo - comes from the deep South of the US and adds a new dimension to the sound of traditional bands.
The melodeon - is a basic version of the button accordion. Both these instruments are better suited to music than the piano accordion
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Popular music
Ireland is not only known for its traditional music. It has also produced a lot of famous bands and artists you've probably heard of.
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Films
You'd be surprised if you knew all the movies which have been filmed in Ireland. Many leading international film-makers, like Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg, have worked in the country. "Braveheart" was filmed here as well as some scenes from "Saving Private Ryan". Other famous films are:
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| A working-class group of mates from Dublin's North Side forms a band together to find fame and fortune as soul singers. But this leads into a lot of trouble in the end...... | A poor Irish farmer in the 19th century looses both his father and his home to the brutal landowner. He tries to get revenge, but meets the landowners daughter and they run off to America | A historical drama about the events that lead to the religious and political battles that have raged in Northern Ireland since the early 20th century |
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Sport
When you play football, you kick the ball, when you play Hurling you kick the opponent if you can't t kick the ball, when you play Gaelic football, you kick the ball if you can't t kick the opponent.
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| Men playing hurling to the right | Gaelic football |
Hurling
Is the national sport in Ireland. It's a mixture of cricket and hockey, and is played with a kind of stick which is called a hurley, and a small ball made of leather which is hit fast and dangerously!!
Gaelic Football
Is another of the Irish nationalsports, which is the most popular sport in Ireland. It's like a mixture of football and rugby. The players can kick, catch and box the ball which looks like a football. The goal looks lika the letter H and if you score under the bar you get 3 points, and if it goes over, it's 1 point!
Other famous sports in Ireland are: Greyhound racing, horse racing and Golf.
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Pubs
The pubs are an important part of the Irish culture. There are about 11.000 pubs in Ireland, so you don't have to look for very long! Compared to Norway where a pub is an adult thing, and a bit "unhealthy", the pubs are like a second home for the Irish. Women will always be treated good, but it's really a place for the men! It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor. You can meet managers, priests and buskers at the pub. The pubs are a social, political and cultural gathering place. The Irish are very proud of their black beer, which is called Guinness. It was brewed for the first time in Dublin in 1759. In Dublin you can vistit the brewery. They often play live music at the pubs, other times the guests sings a song, dance and the others will join in. It's no shame to sing in public in Ireland, on the conterary!!! At daytime most of the pubs serve food
The Irish are proud of their country, and maybe you can hear this toast in a pub: "Bás en Éireann!" which means "May you die in Ireland!"
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Traditional Food
Ireland's rich pastureland, unpolluted rivers and extensive coastline provide tender lamb, beef and pork, and a whole range of fish, seafood and fresh fruit and vegetables. Smoked salmon is considered an Irish speciality, as are Irish stew and Irish lamb. Potatoes, once eaten at every meal, are still regularly served, but the Irish have adopted other foods such as pasta and rice. Tea and coffee are popular drinks in the home.
Traditional Irish Breakfast
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Put the meat, onions, potatoes and parsnips into a large
saucepan,
add the water and season with salt and pepper.
Put in the bouquet garni and cover with lid.
Bring to the boil and simmer gently for approximately two hours.
An Irish stew can be the day before and gently reheated before it´s served.
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Put whole-wheat and plain flour, salt and baking soda into a
mixing bowl.
Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk slowly.
Mix with a knife until most of the flour is take up.
The dough should be soft. You do not need to knead the dough.
Shape the dough into a 22cm (9 inches) round flattish cake and place on a floured baking
tin.
Cut a cross on the top to allow for rising and bake in a fairly hot oven (205°C/350°F)
for 45
mins. or more. If necessary, cover with foil about half way through cooking time so that
it does
not get too brown.
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