It’s not just your present or your future that defines who you are; your past does, too. And we don’t just mean your own history, which accounts for however many years you’ve been on this planet – we’re talking about the real past, the history of where you came from. If you have Irish heritage, then there’s more to your identity than the one wrapped up in the story of your current country. You’ll have a Celtic history to draw upon, as well.
It’s important that you celebrate that history. After all, not everyone is lucky enough to hail from a country synonymous with enchantment and beauty. In this blog, we’re going to run through just a couple of ways that you can keep the spirit of your ancestors alive.
Dive Into Your History
You can and should celebrate Irish heritage as a whole even if you don’t know your specific connection to it. If you know that your great grandparents came from Ireland, then that’s enough. However, if you can figure out your specific history, then you’ll be all the richer for it. In this day and age, there are countless ways to uncover where your people may have come from. You can sign up for an account with an ancestry website, or you can test your detective skills by using some savvy Google searching. You may also have some luck searching on Facebook or other social media sites for people with your last name (providing it’s not a common name) and getting in touch directly, though that’s typically more effective if you know at least which general area of the country your ancestors came from. Who knows, you might just find that you’ve got some distant cousins still living.
Engage With Popular Culture
As you’ll undoubtedly already be aware, the Irish have had a significant impact on popular culture, and that means that there are plenty of fun and entertaining places to turn to when you’re looking to get your fill of the Emerald Isle. The most common well-known cultural export is music. From traditional songs to the Dubliners and the Pogues, there are plenty of tracks to get your teeth stuck into. You’ll also find Irish imagery in games like the Rainbow Riches casino games series, and in movies such as Dracula Untold and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Connect With Others
There are plenty of people out there with Irish heritage and, if you live in certain areas that have historically favored Irish emigration such as Canada, Australia, and the United States, then that’ll mean you have a lot of people with whom you can celebrate your Irish heritage. As a starting point, look at searching for any Celtic groups that may operate in your area. If you’re a relative newcomer to the world of Irish heritage, then you’ll learn a lot while you’re there. Plus, it’s always more fun to enjoy an interest with like-minded people.
Take a Trip
Finally, why not look at taking a trip? People who have no historical connection to Ireland love taking trips to the country, but if you do have some heritage, then you’ll enjoy it all the more! You should start by spending a few days in Dublin, which is one of Europe’s greatest cities. From there, it’s all about getting out of the city and into the smaller towns and the lush countryside. This is the heartland of Celtic culture, so you’ll find plenty that will make the trip one remember for a lifetime. If you have a sense of where your family came from, then be sure to pay a visit to that part, too. By taking a walk through the local cemetery, you might just come across some familiar names.
