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With Ireland being inhabited for about 9,000 years, its history is phenomenal. So much of that history has been preserved and passed on from generation to generation.
What is the connection of the Irish to America?
Driven away from their homeland by the Great Famine of the 1840's the Irish fled for America filling up the port cities from the
Northeast of Boston and Philadelphia to the balmy Southern ports of
Savannah & New Orleans. The highest concentration of Irish
immigrants were in the port city of Boston where in one year Boston's Irish population jumped from 30,000 - 100,000. During this time while looking for labor, 70% of servants in Boston were Irish immigrants.Times for the Irish were harsh and often extremely degrading, which made the Irish immigrant experience difficult on a daily basis. Many washed onto the shores of America with few skills other than cooking, cleaning and just enough knowledge and experience to work in factories. Topping that off was the regular encounter with bigotry and stereotypes.
Although cliched, America is indeed a nation of immigrants. It is part of American Folklore now. Since the late 19th century most immigrants came to America to obtain a better life. Many immigrants stay in a community amongst themselves and make a modest success of their lives. Others are the pillars of small town America, the ones who made it against all the odds, the personification of the "American ideal" with their jobs and their family life.
Source: Joseph P. Kennedy to John F. Kennedy
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| Shamrocks are often worn on St Patrick's Day |
Irish culture includes customs and traditions, language, music, art, literature, folklore, cuisine and sports associated with the island of Ireland and of the Irish and Northern Irish people. Particularly famous examples of noteworthy works are those of James Joyce, Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and Ireland's four winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature: William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney.
Source: Culture of Ireland
Source: Culture of Ireland
It is virtually impossible to watch the movements without being overcome with energy & passion. The music is peaceful, yet exciting. The fast legs, stiff upper body, Irish music, and quick movements are what make this Riverdancing an expression of love for their culture & happiness of life.
Do you have a bit of the Irish in your blood? Perhaps one of your favorites is the Irish Guinness or Irish Coffee!
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
Related Articles:
History of Riverdance
The Irish in America: 1840's -1930's
Have You Researched Your Irish Heritage?
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