From fairy trees to magpie salutes, here are ten Irish traditions the rest of the world might find weird.
Ireland is famous for its weird and wonderful culture.
Although you may find variations of Irish traditions in other places, most visitors to the Emerald Isle are left feeling a bit confused by the strange customs and superstitions they encounter here.
Here are ten Irish traditions the rest of the world might find weird.
Ireland Before You Die’s overview of Irish traditions
- A strange Irish tradition indeed that the rest of the world might find weird that is if you have an itchy nose, you could soon be in for a fight! What do you make of that one?
- Another is that Irish people thank the bus driver when they get off. We are friendly people, but this could well be something the rest of the world finds weird.
- A “wake” is a strong tradition Ireland held after someone’s death, but Irish people even tend to go to wake’s of people they didn’t even know, to pay respects.
- Irish people believe that seeing a solitary magpie invites bad luck, but this can be averted if we salute the bird …
- Catholicism and Christianity still runs strong in Ireland, and Irish people, as a tradition, make the sign of the cross when an ambulance drives by.
10. Itchy nose – the sign of a fight to come
Still commonly quoted across the island is the superstition that an itchy nose can only mean one thing – it won’t be long before a fight comes your way.
In a similar vein, burning ears traditionally denote that someone is talking behind your back. Not a great combination of omens!
9. Making a Brigid’s cross – to guard your home from evil
The ancient Celtic year was marked by four major celebrations that have all survived in some shape or form in modern Ireland: Beltane (1 May), Lughnasadh (1 August), Samhain (1 November), and Imbolc (1 February).
Originally celebrating Brigid, a pagan goddess of spring, Imbolc was so loved by Irish people that the Christian Church chose that day as the feast day of Saint Brigid.
To this day, Irish people of all ages mark the celebration by crafting an intricate cross, traditionally made out of rushes.
The Brigid’s cross is then hung above doors to guard homes from evil and its a staple Irish tradition the rest of the world might find weird.
Read more: Learn more about the Brigid’s Cross and other Celtic symbols and their meanings
8. Thanking the bus driver – manners in Ireland
The people of Ireland are known to be some of the friendliest in the world.
Although this custom isn’t completely unique to the Emerald Isle, many a visitor has expressed confusion when they see thirty Irish folks departing a bus, each thanking the driver as they do.
According to Dublin Bus research in 2015, 90% of passengers always say thank you to their driver.
7. Paying respects – attending funerals of people you literally do not know
The tradition of the “wake” is still very much alive in Ireland, where family, friends, and people who have never even met you, can turn up to pay their respects at your wake and funeral.
While this is one of those Irish traditions that many in the rest of the world will find weird, it’s not unusual to find your mother’s uncle’s hairdresser’s son popping into a pew to bid the departed goodbye or visiting your house for a cup of tea and a sandwich.
6. Irish dancing – a unique style of dance
Maybe it is the hypnotising footwork, the elaborate, colourful costumes, or the coil-tight ringlets, but visitors to Ireland who haven’t yet been exposed to the nation’s traditional dance may find it a little unusual.
Despite the fact that Riverdance has become an international success, many are still new to this unique branch of Irish culture making it another Irish tradition the rest of the world might find weird.
5. Saluting magpies – one for sorrow
Ireland has a lot of bird-related superstitions, some relating to the crow (a common antagonist for farmers) and the beloved robin (if you harm one, it is life-long bad luck for you). But it is the fear of seeing a lone magpie that is the most widespread across the country.
Don’t worry, though; as long as you salute the creature, or maybe even tell it the time, this should be enough to avoid the misfortune this solo bird is said to represent.
4. Being obsessed with Halloween – birthplace of the holiday
Ireland is well known as the birth place of Halloween. As mentioned above, it has been celebrated for thousands of years and was previously known as Samhain (pronounced Sow-een).
On the night of this ancient festival, flames of old fires were extinguished and new ones re-lit as a symbol of rebirth. It was also a time when the veils between the dead and the living were said to be thinnest, and souls of loved ones could return once again.
The celebration exists in full force today, with places like Derry and Dublin bursting with spooky festivities, and the obsession with the holiday is one of the Irish traditions the rest of the world might find weird.
Read: The top 5 best towns and cities to experience Halloween in Ireland
3. The Irish Fry – no finer way to start the day
While a variation of the traditional fry-up breakfast exists in many countries, nothing quite beats the Irish fry.
Complete with fresh soda bread, black pudding, and real butter, this salty start to your day is all you will need to feel more human again after a heavy night out.
2. Greeting the ambulance – making a sign of the cross when seeing an ambulance
Although there are a multitude of faiths practiced in Ireland, Catholicism remains the predominant religion here. And one of the Irish traditions the rest of the world might find weird is related to this.
You will see this clearly if a flashing ambulance speeds passed you in rural Ireland.
The odds are that someone around you will make with a sign of the cross – a form of prayer for whomever the vehicle is heading to. The same can be seen when a person passes by a Catholic church.
1. Never disturbing a “fairy tree” – don’t annoy the fairies
The belief in the “small people” was once widespread across Ireland, and superstitions involving these mischievous creatures remain. Older generations will tell of the perils of disturbing a singular hawthorn tree growing in a field.
This lone tree is said to be the home of fairies, and to cut one down would bring life-long bad luck. Stories circulate of houses built upon the site where the tree once stood burning to the ground, and premature deaths abound.
Disturbing such a tree on the night of Beltane is said to be even more dangerous, as supposedly this is when the small folk are at their most active.
Read more: Irish FAIRY TREES: why they are so SACRED (full explanation)
Your questions answered about Irish traditions the rest of the world might find weird
Read our article on the Irish traditions that the rest of the world might find weird, and still have some questions? We have you covered. Here, we have put together the most frequently asked questions about the topic.
What is the weird tradition in Ireland?
A very weird tradition in Ireland is that if bird poo happens to fall on you, it means good luck! So, don’t be so down next time it happens!
What is considered most disrespectful in Irish culture?
Perhaps being overly physical, touchy or huggy whilst in public is considered not in keeping with Irish etiquette.
What is unique about the Irish?
An interesting and unique fact about Ireland is that it is the only nation with a musical instrument as its national symbol – the Harp.
What are the cultural traditions of Ireland?
The top Irish cultural traditions include Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, the All-Ireland Football and Hurling finals, traditional music, and Irish dancing.
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