Ireland

With the exception of Belfast, which is famous for the manufacture of linen (and which is still a shipbuilding city), Ireland region is, largely agricultural. It has several areas of spectacular natural beauty. One of these is the Giant’s Causeway on its north coast, so-called because the rocks in the area form what looks like enormous stepping stones.

Few places on the planet are as crammed with history as Ireland. Everywhere you look there are castles, houses and monuments, some even older than the Pyramids. In Ireland the past is part of the present, part of the people and part of its vibrant culture.
The earliest Irish art is found in carvings on megalithic monuments dating from 2500 - 2000 BC. In early historic times, Celtic art predominated, reaching its peak in illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Durrow and the Book of Kells. While the basic Celtic patterns remain, European influences such as Viking, Romanesque and Gothic styles are seen in work executed later than the 9th century. The large, distinctly Irish, stone crosses, seen across the country date from the 9th and 10th centuries.
From the mid-17th century, decorative arts and large-scale building flourished under the influence of contemporary European trends.

By the early 19th century neo-classicism, romanticism, and later naturalism, were the dominant forces in painting. They were replaced at the end of that century by impressionism. This was a particularly rich period which gave us artists such as Nathaniel Hone, Walter Osborne, John Lavery, William Leech, John Butler Yeats and William Orpen.
Modernism was first explored by the painters Evie Hone and Mainie Jellett. A forum for the new movement was provided by the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, founded in 1943. From this emerged internationally influenced artists such as Louis Le Brocquy, Patrick Scott, Michael Farrall, Robert Ballagh and, to a lesser extent, Patrick Collins, Tony O'Malley, Camille Souter and Barrie Cooke.
Monumental sculpture of 19th century is best represented by the work of John Hogan and John Henry Foley whose tradition lasted into the 20th century with such sculptors as Oisn Kelly, Samas Murphy and Hilary Heron. Contemporary sculptors include Brian King, John Behan, Michael Bulfin, Michael Warran and Eilis O' Connell.

film in ireland

During 1996, Ireland celebrated a centenary of film. Over that century, many leading international film makers have worked here.
Alfred Hitchcock filmed O'Casey's "Juno and the Paycock" with the Abbey Theatre Players in 1930.
John Ford directed "TheInformer" in 1935 and The Quiet Man in 1952.
John Huston, who made his home in Ireland, made many films here including his last film, James Joyce's "The Dead" in 1987.
David Lean made his epic "Ryan's Daughter" in Co. Kerry in 1970.
Over the last twenty years, however, Ireland has made its own mark on the world of film, with directors like Jim Sheridan and Neil Jordan winning Oscars for films such as "My Left Foot" and "The Crying Game".
The wealth of locations and film making skills available in Ireland have brought directors from all over the world to film in Ireland.

literature in irish

Written literature in Old Irish dates from the 6th century AD. Heroic sagas depicting the deeds of mythical warriors C Chulain and Fionn, along with lyrical and conventional poetry, survive from that time. The early modern period (1250-1650) produced bardic verse and prose but the literary language was then displaced by the vernacular form, which gave rise to an extensive, popular poetic literature.

Modern writers in Irish, such as Patrick Pearse (1879-1916) and Pdraic O'Conaire (1883-1928), opened Irish literature to European influences after centuries of isolation.
Distinguished writers and poets of the modern era include Sen Ó Rordin (1916-1977), Mirtn Ó Drein (1910-1988), Mire Mhac an tSaoi (b. 1922), Liam Ó Flaitheartaigh (1897-1984), Seosamh Mac Grianna (1901-1990), Mirtn Ó Cadhain and Brendan Behan (1923-1964). Among the leading contemporary figures are Nuala N Dhomhnaill (b. 1952), Michel Ó Siadhail (b. 1947) and Liam Ó Muirthile (b. 1950). A significant number of these writers, including Pearse, Ó Flaitheartaigh and Ó Siadhail, have also written important creative work in English. Over one hundred new titles in the Irish language are published annually with books for children proving very popular.

music

Music has always been important in Irish cultural life. One of the earliest Irish composers whose work has survived is Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738), known as 'The Blind Harpist', who was one of the last in the ancient Bardic tradition.

Eighteenth century Dublin attracted many composers and saw the first performance of Handel's Messiah in 1742. John Field (1782 -1837), creator of the 'Nocturne', influenced European composers such as Chopin and Glinka. In more recent times, composers A.J. Potter (1918 -1980) and Gerard Victory (1921 -1995) have been highly influential figures on the contemporary classical music scene.
In this century traditional Irish music has inspired modern composers such as Sen Ó Rada, A. J. Potter, Brian Boydell, Seoirse Bodley, Shaun Davey and Mcheal Ó Silleabhin, to name but a few.
Since the 1960s, traditional Irish music has grown in popularity, both in Ireland and abroad, through groups as diverse as The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, Clannad, The Chieftains, De Dannan and Altan, who have put traditional music into a modern context without compromising its timeless essence and integrity. Another example of this phenomenon in Irish culture is the international hit show 'Riverdance', which brings together the best of Irish song, dance and music.
Ireland also has an international reputation for other musical styles, with artists like Van Morrisson, U2, Sinad O' Connor and The Cranberries. New acts are hitting the world stage, such as Therapy, Ash and The Corrs.