Tag: Ireland

The Unsinkable Violet Jessop

The sinking of the Titanic was a disaster of such massive proportions that it tends to eclipse the tales of two other luxury liners: its sister ships. When the Titanic was built, it was one three massive, celebrated passenger ships, all of which met disaster on the high seas.

The Victorian Workhouse

The Victorian Workhouse was an institution that was intended to provide work and shelter for poverty stricken people who had no means to support themselves. With the advent of the Poor Law system, Victorian workhouses, designed to deal with the issue of pauperism, in fact became prison systems detaining the most vulnerable in society.

Cuchulain the Irish Achilles

Among all the early pieces of literature of Europe, there are two which, at exactly opposite corners of the continent, display most strikingly similar characteristics. These are the Greek and the Irish, and the legend of the Irish champion Cuchulain bears so close a resemblance to the tale of Achilles as to win for this hero the title of ‘the Irish Achilles.’ Certainly in reckless courage, power of inspiring dread, sense of personal merit and frankness of speech the Irish hero is fully equal to the mighty Greek.

Mad Museum removes Irish Hero’s Hat

The museum removed the cap which had been on display for decades for ‘ethical reasons’ as it had visible signs of blood and organic brain matter that stained the original user’s headwear. Blood and organic matter residue are visible on the back of the cap at the point where the fatal bullet entered Collins’s head.

Christmas traditions in Ireland

Wren Day is celebrated on 26 December, St. Stephen’s Day in a number of countries across Europe. The tradition consists of “hunting” a fake wren and putting it on top of a decorated pole. Then the crowds of mummers, or strawboys, celebrate the wren (also pronounced wran) by dressing up in masks, straw suits, and colourful motley clothing. They form music bands and parade through towns and villages. These crowds are sometimes called the wrenboys.