An Athbhliain: The New Year

Observed around the world, St. Patrick’s Day is a chance for everyone to embrace the Irish culture, regardless of where they are or what their heritage might be. It’s a day to don yourself in green, enjoy a parade if your town has one, and grab a pint of Guinness, if you’re so inclined. However, these common activities aren’t the only tactics to “be a little Irish” on March 17th. Instead, there are plenty of opportunities to authentically delve deeper into the Irish culture. Perhaps one of the best ways to partake in the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day, and honor the Irish, is to learn a little more about them.

Finally, another part of the Aran Islands’ identity comes from being a Gaeltacht. Although Oliver Cromwell did arrive on the islands during his conquest of Ireland in the mid-17th century and set up a defensive fort there, he eventually left with his troops. The population of the islands increased afterwards, as some people from the mainland moved to the Aran Islands to escape the reach of the English. Because inhabitants were ultimately less harried by the colonizers, the Irish language was able to persist. Today, Irish remains the first language of the islands.

Clannad, the pioneering, Grammy award-winning Irish band formed in the early 1970s, holds a unique place in both musical and cultural history. Renowned for blending traditional Irish music with modern elements like jazz, folk, and ambient textures, Clannad did something even more remarkable – they introduced the Irish language to a global audience. Their lyrical commitment to Irish, alongside their ethereal sound and deep-rooted cultural identity, transformed them from a local Donegal band into internationally acclaimed ambassadors for the Irish language and culture.