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| 5 new ways to connect with your Irish Heritage |
For anyone with an links to Ireland, whether you're a native, you're an ex-pat, you're part of the diaspora, or just a welcome visitor to our shores for whatever reason, the Irish culture you're familiar with might not be what you always imagined.
People have a very definite idea on how Irish music is supposed to sound, on what Irish food tastes like, how the Irish films play and how Irish Books should read. But, like any culture, Irish culture has evolved into a fluid and dynamic heritage, connecting what people think of as Irish with the myriad influences to which Ireland has been exposed over the years. Modern Ireland is careful to preserve its identity, the identity it struggled for so long to gain ownership of, but is also keen to fit that into how people think and live now. Here are 5 ways you can connect with your Irish heritage in modern Ireland, whether you're Irish, Irish-American, British-Irish or from anywhere else.
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| Irish Beer Heritage |
1. Drink an Irish beer, but not a Guinness.
You'll see it on St. Patrick's day, you'll see it in every Irish movie, you'll see it on Friday and Saturday nights up and down the country, men and women standing in pubs drinking a pint of the black stuff. And why wouldn't they? Guinness has been incredibly successful in branding itself not just the Irish national drink, but as a very real part of our culture and how we see ourselves. But Guinness is by now means the only Irish beer people drink in Ireland. In fact, increasingly, Irish drinkers have expanded their horizons to include a much more varied bar tab. If you're looking for an alternative to the most famous stout, then both Murphy's and Beamish have long brewing traditions in Ireland and are the first choice for many drinkers outside of Dublin. O'Hara's is a great little brewing company down in County Carlow and they've come up with a really nice stout of their own too.
Cider has become a hugely popular drink in Ireland over the last 5 years too. If you're visiting, especially suring the summer months, you can expect to see large groups of drinkers with pint bottles of Bulmers cider out in beer gardens the length and breadth of the nation. Orchard Thieves is a cider which is been widely publicised more recently around the country too, and is really growing in popularity among younger drinkers.
If lager is your preference, then Guinness have recently hit the craft lager market with Hophouse 13, a refreshing, full bodied lager very different to the Danish brands people are familiar with here. Tom Crean fresh Irish lager, is another of the craft Irish beers which have cropped up in the last while. A little stronger and slightly harder to find might be Finn McCools, which is brewed up in Northern Ireland. Once again, O'Hara's have a nice, smooth tasting lager called Helles style, which might be a little easier to find.
Irish cinema has really matured. Drawing on a pretty strong cinematic tradition, we've been seeing a very strong crop of young film makers and actors gaining a large amount of international attention of late. None moreso than the list of nominees at the 2016 Oscars ceremony. While I haven't included any of those films on this particular list, a simple google, or glance at IMDB will gain you a far more in-depth insight with what's happening currently in the Irish movie scene.
In Bruges
In Bruges stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes, in a tale of an Irish gangland assassin sent to Bruges for a final trip after having committed a mistaken execution, where he must await his fate. What sounds like a grim and violent plot is actually a hilarious and human tale from the pen of Martin McDonagh. It hits 84% in Rotten Tomatoes and provides more than one memorable moment and a whole heap of memorable quotes. And, perhaps most of all, it may actually convince you to visit Bruges.
If lager is your preference, then Guinness have recently hit the craft lager market with Hophouse 13, a refreshing, full bodied lager very different to the Danish brands people are familiar with here. Tom Crean fresh Irish lager, is another of the craft Irish beers which have cropped up in the last while. A little stronger and slightly harder to find might be Finn McCools, which is brewed up in Northern Ireland. Once again, O'Hara's have a nice, smooth tasting lager called Helles style, which might be a little easier to find.
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| Irish Cinema Heritage |
2. Watch these Irish films that aren't Derby O'Gill and the little people.
Irish cinema has really matured. Drawing on a pretty strong cinematic tradition, we've been seeing a very strong crop of young film makers and actors gaining a large amount of international attention of late. None moreso than the list of nominees at the 2016 Oscars ceremony. While I haven't included any of those films on this particular list, a simple google, or glance at IMDB will gain you a far more in-depth insight with what's happening currently in the Irish movie scene.
In Bruges
In Bruges stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes, in a tale of an Irish gangland assassin sent to Bruges for a final trip after having committed a mistaken execution, where he must await his fate. What sounds like a grim and violent plot is actually a hilarious and human tale from the pen of Martin McDonagh. It hits 84% in Rotten Tomatoes and provides more than one memorable moment and a whole heap of memorable quotes. And, perhaps most of all, it may actually convince you to visit Bruges.
Frank
Frank is a funny and fascinating film from Lenny Abrahamson, probably the best Irish film director of the moment. It stars Irish / German actor Michael Fassbender as the eponymous hero, Frank Sidebottom, losely based on the musician from england in the 80s but transposed to modern day California. Frank wears a giant papier mache head over his own head, on and off stage. It's tender, funny, quirky in a non-annoying way and actually boasts some pretty good music.
Frank is a funny and fascinating film from Lenny Abrahamson, probably the best Irish film director of the moment. It stars Irish / German actor Michael Fassbender as the eponymous hero, Frank Sidebottom, losely based on the musician from england in the 80s but transposed to modern day California. Frank wears a giant papier mache head over his own head, on and off stage. It's tender, funny, quirky in a non-annoying way and actually boasts some pretty good music.
Disco Pigs
Disco Pigs stars Cillian Murphy and tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who have grown up in houses beside one another and both indulged their crippling social misfit status to form and unbreakable bond. Adapted from teh Enda Walsh play, when faced with separation, dark and crazy things happen in a pair of virtuoso performances by then young Irish actors.
Disco Pigs stars Cillian Murphy and tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who have grown up in houses beside one another and both indulged their crippling social misfit status to form and unbreakable bond. Adapted from teh Enda Walsh play, when faced with separation, dark and crazy things happen in a pair of virtuoso performances by then young Irish actors.
Adam and Paul
Adam and Paul draws on everything from Samuel Beckett to John Steinbeck to tell the tale of two down-and-out junkies wandering Dublin city aimlessly trying to get by. For the most part an exercise is some pretty bleak but really smart gallows humour. You'll find yourself in turns laughing and shocked by the outcome.
Intermission
Including a who's who cast of Irish actors of the last few years (Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy, Colm Meaney to name the main stars), Intermission tells the tale of a young lover's (Murphy) brush with a crazy gangland hood (Farrell) all in the name of love. Colm Meaney's turn as a hard as nails Dublin gangland cop obsessed with Clannad is worth the viewing price alone.
Villagers
Darlings of the Irish indie scene (and indie press), Villagers have been putting songs out a while since their hugely critically acclaimed debut CD a couple of years back. I wouldn't be a massive fan personally, but it's hard to overlook their very individual vibe and the charismatic vulnerability of their lead Conor J. O'Brien.
Aphex Twin
What, you didn't know he was Irish? Hailing from Co. Limerick no less, Richard D James is one of the most original DJs and musicians of the last fifteen odd years, with chilling, overwhelming tracks you can't help but return to no matter how unpleasant.
Adam and Paul draws on everything from Samuel Beckett to John Steinbeck to tell the tale of two down-and-out junkies wandering Dublin city aimlessly trying to get by. For the most part an exercise is some pretty bleak but really smart gallows humour. You'll find yourself in turns laughing and shocked by the outcome.
Intermission
Including a who's who cast of Irish actors of the last few years (Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy, Colm Meaney to name the main stars), Intermission tells the tale of a young lover's (Murphy) brush with a crazy gangland hood (Farrell) all in the name of love. Colm Meaney's turn as a hard as nails Dublin gangland cop obsessed with Clannad is worth the viewing price alone.
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| Modern Irish Music |
3. Listen to these Irish musicians that aren't U2.
Hailing from Cork, Simple Kid, actually packed in the music business after 2 CDs but there are haunting rumours of a return to the stage after a few years off. When we was gigging he was one of the most innovative, smart and likeable musicians in the country.
Straight out of Cavan. Lisa O'Neill plays smart, personal, melancholy and quirky songs in a style smudging between folksy and indie. Involved, challenging and moreish. A really singular voice if you're interest in what's happening in Irish music right now.
Nothing wrong with old fashioned good tunes and Bell X1 have hit upon using these to tell intricate, personal stories far beyond the boy meets girl. Awkward and dinky, but swelling with some really beautiful moments, Bell X1 have been at it a while now but are still one of the biggest draws in the country.
Villagers
Darlings of the Irish indie scene (and indie press), Villagers have been putting songs out a while since their hugely critically acclaimed debut CD a couple of years back. I wouldn't be a massive fan personally, but it's hard to overlook their very individual vibe and the charismatic vulnerability of their lead Conor J. O'Brien.
Aphex Twin
What, you didn't know he was Irish? Hailing from Co. Limerick no less, Richard D James is one of the most original DJs and musicians of the last fifteen odd years, with chilling, overwhelming tracks you can't help but return to no matter how unpleasant.
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| Irish TV shows |
4. Watch these Irish TV Shows that reflect a different side to the country.
Father Ted
Although not technically made by an Irish company (it was filmed by Channel 4 in the UK), Father Ted stars all Irish actors, was shot in Ireland and was written and directed by Irish staff. As soon as you take a look you'll understand the shw simply couldn't be more Irish. Telling the story of three Cathlic priests posted on a lonely island in the middle of nowhere, the farcical set-ups, repetitive characterisations and shoddy production values shouldn't work, but so do. A must-see cultural reference point for what's Irish today.
Although not technically made by an Irish company (it was filmed by Channel 4 in the UK), Father Ted stars all Irish actors, was shot in Ireland and was written and directed by Irish staff. As soon as you take a look you'll understand the shw simply couldn't be more Irish. Telling the story of three Cathlic priests posted on a lonely island in the middle of nowhere, the farcical set-ups, repetitive characterisations and shoddy production values shouldn't work, but so do. A must-see cultural reference point for what's Irish today.
Pure Mule
Small town Ireland is just like your small town, wherever you are. Kids and adults alike are bored and disenfranchised and there's nothing to do but drink copiously, take a whole lot of pills and sleep around with people you shouldn't. It's easy to get caught up in the melodrama of the plotlines while missing the point being made about the myth of a rural idyll.
Love / Hate
A million miles away from The Wire and The Sopranos, the Dublin gangland scene was so successfully portrayed in this show HBO bought up the rights and are making an American version. Glamour-free, filled with big characters and gut-wrenching tension, Love / Hate tells the small time gangster tale in gritty, ugly and cold terms.
The Fall
A Co-Production with the BBC, The Fall stars Gillian Anderson as a tough London Detective out to catch the horrific murderer played by Jamie Dornan across a fraught Belfast backdrop rebuilding itself after the troubles. Not that easy to watch, there's a lot being said here about women and social roles in a shifting landscape that would ruin the show to simply state.
Moone Boy
Purportedly based on actor Chris O'Dowd's own childhood, Moone Boy is a crazy, coming of age sitcom based in a tiny, grey little town in the 1980s in Ireland, where everyone smoked, women were fighting for a voice and weirdos seemed to flood every nook and cranny. Very funny stuff.
Small town Ireland is just like your small town, wherever you are. Kids and adults alike are bored and disenfranchised and there's nothing to do but drink copiously, take a whole lot of pills and sleep around with people you shouldn't. It's easy to get caught up in the melodrama of the plotlines while missing the point being made about the myth of a rural idyll.
Love / Hate
A million miles away from The Wire and The Sopranos, the Dublin gangland scene was so successfully portrayed in this show HBO bought up the rights and are making an American version. Glamour-free, filled with big characters and gut-wrenching tension, Love / Hate tells the small time gangster tale in gritty, ugly and cold terms.
The Fall
A Co-Production with the BBC, The Fall stars Gillian Anderson as a tough London Detective out to catch the horrific murderer played by Jamie Dornan across a fraught Belfast backdrop rebuilding itself after the troubles. Not that easy to watch, there's a lot being said here about women and social roles in a shifting landscape that would ruin the show to simply state.
Moone Boy
Purportedly based on actor Chris O'Dowd's own childhood, Moone Boy is a crazy, coming of age sitcom based in a tiny, grey little town in the 1980s in Ireland, where everyone smoked, women were fighting for a voice and weirdos seemed to flood every nook and cranny. Very funny stuff.
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5. Read these Irish Books that aren't Ulysses. What Irish books should you read?
The Spinning Heart
Donal Ryan Telling the tale of a small Irish down during the market crash in Ireland in the years following 2008, The Spinning Heart sets out to tell a number of smaller tales, each one dedicated to an individual character in the town and intertwined with events in other stories. A simple idea, but cleanly done, measured and relevant and memorable. The Butcher Boy Patrick McCabe The monologue of a deranged young boy in a small town. Hang on, could this be a theme in modern Irish culture? Well yes, and this is where it started. Yet to be bettered, the butcher boy is a harrowing tale of a young boy in a dreary town, riven with the demons of his imagination and driven to monstrous acts. Room Emma Donoghue Now a global hit film made by the aforementioned Lenny Abrahamson, Room tells of a mother and daughter held captive, told through the eyes of a 10 year old boy. Both a harrowing thriller and uplifting tale of maternal love, Room is a unique and unforgettable reading experience before you ever go near the screen version. City of Bohane Kevin Barry Tribal gang warfare in Smoketown, a crazy, distant and grim region beyond the beyond. Told in Kevin Barry's singular voice, Bohane's old enemy is back in town and blood is about to flow. Sour Alan Walsh And finally, you can always try my own book, Sour tells the story of an old Irish myth as a modern murder mystery, full of the heroes and monsters of the old Irish stories recast as local wild characters. |
