Sit down with a green beer or maybe a cup of green tea and
enjoy a bit of the traditions of Ireland.
Shamrock:
The shamrock refers to the young sprigs of clover or
trefoil. It is known as a symbol of Ireland, with St. Patrick having used it as
a metaphor for the Christian Trinity, according to legend.
Luck of the Irish:
This is an ironic phrase. The Irish have been, and are a
spectacularly unlucky race. The "luck of the Irish" is BAD luck, as
any reading of Irish history will document. Apparently, the original and proper use
of this irony goes clear back to the Old Country and migrated to America early
on.
Corned Beef and
Cabbage:
So what do you think? Is Corned Beef and Cabbage a
traditional Irish meal? The article below says no. Are you Irish, do you think it’s us crazy Americans who developed
this tradition? I do like corned beef
and cabbage with potatoes, but the rest of the family isn’t in agreement. So I
too usually only get it when I visit a New York deli. And boy do they pile it
on! There is one deli in the theater district that is truly known for their
corned beef sandwiches, and I’m sorry that the name escapes me. But oh yummy
and that big pickle to boot! With lots of mustard and I have a real treat.
The salon has an idea that Corned Beef is American:
Needlework:
Although most often associated with fine white embroidery on
linen, the North of Ireland has a long tradition of stitching on fine cotton,
dating from the eighteenth century.
The collections and archives at the Ulster Folk and
Transport Museum contain many examples of finished work in addition to
outworkers sample pieces and original designs on paper. The most significant
collection is a group of over 600 embroidered, lace trimmed, and printed
handkerchiefs from the early twentieth century, featuring the designs of the
Belfast artist Herbert R. Lilley.
A collection of 80 embroidered samplers, dating from 1760 to
1953, school needlework sample books, and a range of needlework tools provide
an insight into embroidery as worked for hobby or pleasure, rather than for
profit.
Jane Campbell Sampler
Dorcas McGee Sampler
Harriet Smallman- Boyle Sampler
Celtic Cross:
Celtic cross stitch sample patterns are a style of cross
stitch embroidery and a true embodiment of Celtic art patterns seen in early
medieval art using contemporary cross stitch techniques. Celtic cross stitch is
a simple and elegant way of doing embroidery. By tradition deep, rich colors
are used to make intricate geometrical patterns, spirals, interlacing themes,
knotwork, alphabets, animal forms and zoomorphic patterns.
Celtic cross stitch patterns can be simple; however, the more intricate the pattern, the
more expertise is required. This method of embroidery is very old, but still as
popular as it was long ago.
The symbolism of the Celtic Cross
Book on Northern Ireland Samplers: Well I thought I owned
this book and was going to add a bit of an overview of it for you here, but I
cannot find it! So it must not have made it to a cash register with me yet! I
only find this one book on Irish sampler making. There is very little additional information in any of the books
in my library and as Julie will tell you, our libraries are pretty full!
Lace Making:
Ireland is known more for lace making then sampler making
from the information I have found. In
The Complete International Book of Embroidery by Mary Gostelow, it talks about
the different types of lace making that was significant to Ireland. Mountmellick and Carrickmacross work are the
two most popular. Mountmellick is
characterized by designs worked in soft un-mercerized cotton sometimes known as
“knitting Cotton”. Satin Stitch, sometimes padded, bullion knots, French knots,
cable, chain, coral and herringbone stitches are mostly used with a buttonhole
fringe edge. This style of lace started about 1825.
Another form of Irish-flowering embroidery is Carrickmacros.
This consists of layering cambric on top of a ground of hexagonal net. The
outline design is stitched through the two fabrics with a running stitch. By cutting only through the cambric, it is
carefully removed to reveal the net below.
The running stitch is then bound with over-stitching to prevent the
edges of the cambric from fraying. Sometimes tamboured chain stitch is also
added. Some pieces are so intricate
that they look like needle-made lace. Much of this work was done in the convent
by the Sisters.
Irish Marriage
Traditions:
Taking the last stitch in the dress on the wedding day will
bring good luck.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something
blue and a sixpence in your shoe.
Blue is considered a lucky color in Ireland, something
borrowed is a symbol of friendship and the brides handkerchief is usually
something new for good luck. Something
old is the connection to family and the sixpence is so you will always be financially
well off in your marriage.
More traditions of
Ireland
Celtic Cross Stitch
Irish Blessings,
Curses and Drinking Toasts
May you life as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.
Thanks for sharing, loved to browse trough all the links and I'm a bit wiser.
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