Experience The Diverse Ethnic Minorities In Ireland And Their Cultural Celebrations

Visitors to Ireland, as well as the native Irish residents, are embracing the diverse ethnic minorities and their cultural celebrations. The arrival of immigrants from many different countries has not always been welcomed, but their arrival certainly adds flavour and color to local festivals. Government and community initiatives to promote intercultural exchange and minimise racism are paying off, with locals and visitors able to experience a taste of foreign cultures around the country.

Aristka is an organisation formed to promote ethnic arts. They organize the multi-cultural festival, Mela, in Northern Ireland each year, which now coincides with the St Patrick’s Day celebrations to present the community with an intercultural festival enjoyed by all. They also support Indian cultural celebrations such as the Festival of Lights, teaching the community about the celebration and inviting participation and enjoyment for all members of society. This organisation also promotes ethnic art with exhibitions, theatrical and dance performances as well as festivals celebrating various holidays and events related to different cultures.

In Limerick, the nationwide Africa Day festival is celebrated with an African Bazaar displaying the art, craft, clothing, food and music of 20 different African countries. Cultural costumes and the various customs and traditions are showcased for all to experience and enjoy. Africa Day is celebrated throughout Ireland with similar exhibits and festivals in an effort to promote community interaction and understanding.

The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism was formed to promote harmony between the Irish and the many ethnic minorities that have landed on their shores in recent years. The Committee promotes arts and culture, with exhibitions, competitions and workshops. Another initiative from SARI, Sports Against Racism Ireland, organizes sporting events between various groups, using sport as a way to eradicate racism between the various ethnic groups.

Chinese culture in Ireland maintains its traditional festivals and celebrations such as the Chinese Lunar New Year, Lantern and Moon Festivals, held in towns throughout Ireland. The Indian community celebrates their holy days and festivals as well, embracing the local community regardless of their cultural beliefs. Art exhibitions, musical concerts and theatrical performances are used to showcase not only the culture but also the talent of many immigrants to Ireland, providing entertainment and education to the larger community.

Visitors to Ireland are sure to find some entertaining and enlightening cultural celebrations going on at various times of the year. To experience the diverse ethnic minorities in Ireland and their cultural celebrations, time your visit to coincide with Mela or Africa Day. There are some 65 nationalities represented in Ireland today, each with a rich and fascinating cultural heritage to share with you.

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Is There Any Wildlife In Ireland?

Although you won’t find any big game or large predators in Ireland, except in a zoo, there are many interesting animals to be seen in Ireland’s five national parks. Only 30 species of land animals are native to Ireland, but there is a wealth of birdlife to more than make up for this.

The biggest naturally occurring mammal you will find in Ireland is the Red Deer. Unique to Ireland, these magnificent animals can be seen in Killarney National Park, Glenveagh, Ballycroy and the Wicklow Mountains parks. Other mammals seen regularly include hare, badgers, the red fox, pine martens, the Irish stoat, mink, otter and fallow deer. Connemara National Park features the Connemara Ponies. Although considered a domestic animal, they wander the countryside in herds in Connemara, making a distinct impression on visitors to the park.

Most of the national parks as well as the untouched and uninhabited regions of Ireland boast a number of raptors, including peregrine, owls and falcon. The Golden Eagle, extinct in Ireland since 1912, has recently been reintroduced in Glenveagh National Park, with considerable success. Golden plover, ravens and many other bird species make Ireland a popular destination for birdwatchers.

There are of course zoos and aquariums that offer visitors and residents the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife. Dublin Zoo is home to Siberian tigers, rhinoceros, wolves, gorillas, orang-utans, chimpanzees, snow leopards, hippo and lion. Belfast Zoo showcases a similar variety of animals, including Asian elephants, white tigers and spectacled bears and more.

Belfast also has the Exploris Aquarium with interactive discovery pools and a deep water open sea tank featuring the interesting creatures of the deep. Many of the sea creatures seen here can be found off Ireland’s coast, where whale and dolphin are spotted at various times of the year. The Seal Sanctuary, also in Belfast, offers a fascinating insight into these clever creatures as well.

An innovative wildlife park can be found on Fota Island in Cork Harbour. Here, visitors can explore 70 acres of wildlife, most of it roaming freely between visitors. Almost all the animals in Fota Wildlife Park are endangered or threatened. Some, like the Rothschilds Giraffe and European Bison, will only be seen in captivity. The wildlife park features unusual species like red panda, lemur, emu, kangaroos and many more animals from around the world. They also have cheetah - but they do not roam freely through the park!

While the zoos may offer visitors the opportunity to see unusual, exotic and dangerous animals, the national parks of Ireland provide an opportunity to explore the habitat of its native wildlife on foot or by bicycle without fear of attack by large predators. The ability to experience any wildlife in close proximity, in their natural habitat, should not be passed up.

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Do Ireland’s Presidents Have A Role In Cultural Life?

Ireland’s presidents, both present and past, have traditionally played an active role in the cultural life of the country. Ireland’s political leaders rely on their local political support a lot more than in other countries, making their roles in local society far more important in terms of their election and re-election. This means that the president of Ireland has to be involved in the everyday life of the citizens of Ireland.

The current president of Ireland, Mary McAleese, is a fine example of the role of Irish presidents in cultural life. Her support of local cultural events, patronage of various cultural organizations and involvement in the day-to-day activities in Ireland encompasses all aspects of culture. From encouraging school children to participate in cultural activities, through to supporting Irish artists, President McAleese plays an active role in the cultural life of Ireland. She attends art gallery openings, cultural festivals, school activities and competitions and actively encourages participation in the arts and culture of Ireland.

President McAleese receives visitors from all walks of life, including school and charity groups, as well as cultural organisations from around the country. Supporting the cultural life of Ireland means not only showing a face at an event, but actively engaging with the people contributing to the culture of Ireland, and the Irish presidents have been very good at this. Although some may feel that the role of the President in this regard is more of a figurehead, her participation in local events and enthusiastic support for arts and culture in Ireland certainly motivate many to continue their efforts in this area.

On an official level, President McAleese has shown her support for arts and culture with international visits to showcase Ireland’s talent and make inroads into the international market. In 2008 she accompanied Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Film Board on a visit to Hollywood to promote Ireland’s talent in the industry, as well as the country as filmmaking location. The president also attended the European Cultural Foundation National Conference, representing Irish interests and culture. President McAleese presents numerous awards throughout the year, many of them based on cultural activities and achievements, such as Ireland’s Laureate for Children’s Literature.

Previous presidents have been equally involved in the cultural life or Ireland, including Mary Robinson who was instrumental in the formation of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. This government department, along with the government Arts Council, supports the graphic and visual arts as well as the culture and heritage of Ireland. They are actively involved in various cultural events around the country.

The preservation and continued thriving of a country’s culture depends very much on its youth, for it is they who must carry the torch from one generation to the next. The Irish Presidents and their role in cultural life help to encourage children and the youth to support their cultural background, participate in the cultural activities of their birthplace, and preserve their history.

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There’s No Shortage Of Natural Tourist Attractions In Ireland

There is far more to Ireland’s countryside than hills and mist. The spectacular beauty of the mountains, lakes and forest should not be missed, but there are many unexplained natural tourist attractions with fascinating legends that will amaze and delight tourists of all ages.

The Burren is a huge area of land covered in limestone. This strange landscape is home to plants that are not found anywhere else in the world, as well as almost every species of butterfly found in Ireland. Take in some rock climbing or wander through the caves for a fascinating look at this unique area.

Visit the Cliffs of Moher for incredible views of the Aran Islands, the Clare coastline and, on a clear day, the Kerry and Connemara mountains. Explore the ruins of buildings used to keep watch for approaching Vikings, and take in the beauty of the highest cliffs in Europe.

Another unexplained landscape is Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. A landscape of huge uniform basalt rocks that appear to have been thrown into the sea, the legend behind this natural phenomenon is almost as interesting as the landscape itself. It is said that the giant Fionn MacCumhaill threw the rocks into the Irish Sea to create a pathway so he could reach his wife in Scotland. Science says the rocks are the result of an eruption, but the legend is far more enthralling.

Visit the mountain range containing Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrantushill. The range is named MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and is on the Inveragh Peninsula in County Kerry.

A group of red sandstone rocks form the Blasket Islands off the Dingle Peninsula. With a fascinating cultural and literary heritage, Great Blasket Island is now a National Historic Park, although its last inhabitants abandoned the island in 1953.

The Connemara countryside is one of Ireland’s beautiful national parks. Covering 2000 hectares, the park is made up of bogs, lakes and forests, with the Twelve Bens crowning this landscape. Two nature trails provide spectacular views of Ballinakill Harbour, Inishbofin and Inishark. Within Killarney National Park you will find the three Lakes of Killarney, surrounded by mountains and amazing countryside.

Ancient sites such as Fourknocks, Hill of Tara and New Grange, the site of megalithic passage tombs are fascinating to visit, as is Hill of Slane, where the ruins of a Franciscan monastery built in 1512 can be found. New Grange is covered in unexplained Celtic Spirals, harking to the many legends and unexplained mysteries to be found in this country.

Whether you visit ancient sites, one or all five national parks, climb cliffs, take a nature walk or just look in awe at the wonder of nature, the natural tourist attractions in Ireland will astonish you. Discover the mysteries of Ireland’s natural tourist attractions and see sights that cannot be explained.

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