Culture & Heritage
A real taste of times past – discover ancient Ireland
Uncover your civilised side and experience Ireland’s rich literature, traditional and heritage sites – sometimes you don’t even have to leave the pub to take part!
Surrounded by our culture and heritage at every turn, it’s easy to miss out on the phenomenon that is our history. But take the time to focus and you’ll find that there’s a whole lot happening from buzzing literary festivals, raucous ceìlis and unbelievable heritage sites from crumbling castles to mystical monasteries – and all are definitely worth a look.
Traditional Culture Guide October 09
Experience the diversity and vitality of our traditional culture; what makes Ireland unique. Click on the links below to find out more about what's going on this month.
Kildare |
Laois |
Longford |
Louth |
Meath | Offaly |
Westmeath |
Wicklow
MONASTIC HERITAGE
A tour of the principal sites of Ireland East makes the basis for a marvelous introduction to the beauties of Ireland - quite apart from the beauty of the
monasteries themselves.
Some have little more to offer than romantic and beautiful settings. Many of the others contain wonderful Celtic crosses, exquisitely sculpted monuments in stone that have stood in their places for a thousand years. Some still show their extraordinary bell-towers, built in stone as beacons for pilgrims, as treasuries and as refuges when the neighbours or Viking invaders attempted to pillage the settlements. Many have romantic ruins, perhaps no more than a few archways or a church tower, often with curiously decorated stonework and always with an atmosphere of ancient sanctity.
MYTHOLOGY
Discover the many enchanting and haunting tales associated with this region...Cuchulainn, the great mighty warrior who defended Ulster from the armies of Ireland...the Children of Lir, who lived for 300 years…Saint Patrick who defied the might of the pagan High King…and Fionn MacCumhail who saved the royal warriors of Tara.
GARDENS
The gentle Irish climate allows a fantastic variety of flowers, shrubs and trees to flourish out of doors. Wicklow, known to all as ‘
The Garden of Ireland’ sets a theme which follows throughout the region. You will find an extraordinary variety of scenery, wild and tame, from remote mountains, through wooded valleys down to the sea and canal banks. More than thirty gardens welcome visitors from spring to autumn and a few stay open throughout the year. There are also some more that may be visited by arrangement with the owners.
View gardens in East & Midlands>>>
FESTIVALS
The Irish are well known for their love of celebrating life and this region is no exception. With over 100 festivals on offer throughout the year, ranging from hot air ballooning to steam threshing and from drama to vintage cars, we have something for everyone!
View some of the great Festivals taking place>>>