The first people appeared on this territory more than nine thousand years ago, but they have almost no relation to the modern culture of Ireland. It was formed under the influence of the tribes who lived here a little later: two thousand years before the new era. From them stone monuments remained, in some places they are still well preserved.
Of particular importance in the formation of Irish modern culture were the traditions of the Celtic tribes who invaded its lands in the 3rd century BC. The Celts brought language and writing, the oldest example of which is preserved in stone in County Carrie. The conversion of Ireland to the Christian faith also played an important role. Saint Patrick, who preached a new religion, became the most revered saint to whom cathedrals and churches around the world are dedicated.
Manuscripts don't burn
The Book of Kells is a prime example of how an old manuscript can tell more about culture and history than other rarities. It was created by Irish monks at the beginning of the 9th century. The book is decorated with numerous ornaments and drawings and is considered one of the most colorful of all medieval manuscripts.
By the way, it was the monasteries in the V-X centuries that served as the main "suppliers" of literature. The monks mastered the techniques of calligraphy, and the art miniatures that adorned the pages are true masterpieces of the culture of Ireland.
Irish dances
By the XII century, the Old World not only got acquainted with music from Ireland, but also managed to love it with all his heart. The extraordinary musicality of the Irish people has become a household name. At the beginning of the 18th century, the inhabitants of the country began to organize the Feish festival, the purpose of which was to popularize and preserve the ability to play the flute. Several decades later, the first collection of folk melodies and songs was published.
Another famous cultural layer is Irish folk dances. They appeared in the culture of Ireland in the 18th century, and their main distinguishing feature was clear movements of the legs in a certain rhythm with the body remaining almost motionless.
A wealth of museum exhibits
You can also study the culture of Ireland in its many museums, the most popular of which are located in Dublin:
- The Trinity College Library provides an opportunity to see the famous Book of Kells.
- The National Museum displays excellent examples of metalwork from the early Christian period. The gem of the collection is a bronze brooch from Tara, which apparently served as a clasp for the cloak of the High King of Ireland.
