Irish Family

This group project regarding cultural diversity will include information specific to the country of Ireland. There will be information presented in the following areas: the country of Ireland, family practices, spiritual practices, health care practices, dietary practices, communications, and growth and development. Information obtained for this paper will include online peer-reviewed sources, online research, and facts. Some online sources will include SAGE, the Royal Irish Academy, PLOS, Open Library of Humanities, and others.

Cultural Diversity in the Country of Ireland

Discuss the country

The Republic of Ireland’s capital city is Dublin and Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is not part of the country of Ireland; it is governed under the United Kingdom. 'Situated at the northwestern edge of Europe, Ireland is the continent's third largest island, with a modern-day population of approximately 6.4 million. The island is politically partitioned into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with the latter forming part of the United Kingdom (UK)' (Byrne, Martiniano, Cassidy, Carrigan, Hellenthal, Hardiman, p. 2).

The island of Ireland is a beautiful, scenic land, composed of low mountains, rolling hills, seaside cliffs, wooded areas, and lush, green farmlands. The approximate size of the island is 302 miles by 174 miles. For an island so small, Ireland is littered with thousands of castles, both still standing and viewable by public tours and those that are in ruins. A few of the most famous castles on the island are Kilkenny Castle, Dunguaire Castle, and Glenveagh Castle.

Some noteworthy famous people from Ireland are Michael Fassbender, actor in X-Men movies, Conor McGregor, UFC fighter, and C.S. Lewis, author, and theologist.

Family practices

Irish culture generally consists of the traditional (nuclear) family, comprised of both mother and father (husband and wife) and their minor children, all living together in the home. Children in rural areas typically leave home at the age of 18 or 19 to attend university or to seek employment in larger cities where there is more opportunity. Gender equality is becoming more common as the times are changing. Husband and wife tend to share marital, financial, and family responsibilities in urban areas. In rural areas, it is more common for a more traditional gender role, where the wife/mother stays home to care for children and the household and the husband/father is the one to work outside the home and provide for the family.

Death in the Irish culture is commonly viewed as a time for a celebration of the deceased person’s life, both before and after the funeral. These celebrations are a time for the family and friends to share stories, play music, sing songs, reminisce, and enjoy food and drinks together in honor of their loved one that passed. After the celebrations and funeral, it is typical for a person to be buried at a family burial plot.

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