21. Chapter 3 Traditions

23. Irish dance

24. Irish dancing or Irish dance is a group of traditional dance forms originating in Ireland which can broadly be divided into social dances and performance dances.

26. Irish social dancing can be divided further into céilí and set dancing. Irish set dances are quadrilles, danced by four couples arranged in a square, while céilí dances are danced by varied formations (céilí) of two to sixteen people. In addition to their formation, there are significant stylistic differences between these two forms of social dance. Irish social dance is a living tradition, and variations in particular dances are found across the Irish dancing community; in some places, dances are deliberately modified and new dances are choreographed.

28. Irish step dancing, popularized in 1994 by the world-famous show Riverdance, is notable for its rapid leg and foot movements, body and arms being kept largely stationary. The world of Irish dance has expanded to include Lord of the Dance, Celtic Tiger, and Heartbeat of Home. Most competitive dances are solo dances, though many stepdancers also perform and compete using céilí dances.

29. Irish stepdance is a style of dance with its roots in traditional Irish dance. It can be performed solo or by groups. Two types of shoes are worn; hard shoes, which make sounds similar to tap shoes, and soft shoes, which are similar to ballet slippers. Dancers stiffen their upper bodies while performing quick, intricate footwork. Costumes are considered important for stage presence in competitive Irish stepdance. There are seven levels of competition available for both individuals and groups. Riverdance, an Irish stepdancing interval act in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, greatly contributed to its popularity.

30. The hard shoe, which is also called heavy shoe and jig shoe, is, unlike tap shoes, made with fiberglass tips, instead of metal. The first hard shoes had wooden taps with metal nails. It was common practice in the 17th and 18th century to hammer nails into the soles of a shoe to increase the life of the shoe. Dancers used the sounds created by the nails to create the rhythms that characterize hard shoe dancing.

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33. Soft shoes, often called "ghillies" (or "gillies"), fit more like ballet slippers and are made of black leather, with a leather sole and a very flexible body. They lace from toe to ankle and do not make sounds against the dance surface. They are worn by female dancers for the light jig, the reel, the single jig, the slip jig, and group dances with two or more people. They are also worn for competitive céilí dancing, though social céilí dance doesn't have rules about the shoes that can be worn.

34. The second kind of soft shoe is worn by male dancers; these are called "reel shoes" and are similar to Oxford or jazz shoes in black leather, with fiberglass heels that the dancers can click them together. Some male dancers do not wear fiberglass heels. The men's steps may be choreographed in a different style to girls' to take advantage of the heels and to avoid feminine movements in steps.

36. Several generations ago, the appropriate dress for a competition was simply "Sunday best" (clothes one would wear to church). Irish Dance schools generally have school dresses, worn by lower-level competitors and in public performances. As dancers advance in competition or are given starring roles in public performances, they may get a solo dress of their own design and colours or wear the team dress. In the 1970s and 1980s, ornately embroidered dresses became popular. Today even more ornamentation is used on girls' dresses. Solo dresses are unique to each dancer. Today most women and girls wear a wig or hairpiece for a competition, but some still curl their own hair. Most men wear a shirt, vest, and tie paired with black trousers.

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38. St. Patrick's day

39. As in any other country, and in Ireland there are one the main and most important celebration in Ireland such holiday is considered to be St. Patrick's day, celebrated annually on 17 March. The celebration of this day is a special event for the Irish. Preparation begins in advance to the actual day of the holiday all proceeded in the best way. Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora around the world, especially in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia and New_Zealand. People in this holiday dressed in green clothes, also besides the most parades, in this day to organize parties with music and plenty of beer. But when the ageing of the times it was a little different, namely, all the pubs were closed, because most of the residents went to Church for mass. Today St. Patrick's day is again favorite music and dancing.

40. In Ireland there is an interesting tradition, the new year's eve it is customary to leave the door of the house open to anyone who came could feel welcome. In Ireland the atmosphere of confidence, especially in these holidays. And, indeed, it never happens, because the inhabitants of the Holy appreciate holiday traditions of his country.

42. Religion

44. Religious freedom is constitutionally provided for in Ireland. Christianity is the predominant religion, with the Roman Catholic Church as the largest church. In 2011, 84.2% of the population identified themselves as Roman Catholic, 4.6% as Protestant or another Christian religion, 1.1% as Muslim, and 6.2% as having no religion. According to a Georgetown University study, the country has one of the highest rates of regular Mass attendance in the Western world. While daily attendance was 13% in 2006, there was a reduction in weekly attendance from 81% in 1990 to 48% in 2006, although the decline was reported as stabilising.In 2011, it was reported that weekly Mass attendance in Dublin was just 18%, with it being even lower among younger generations.

46. Saint Finbarre's Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland inCork city.

47. The Church of Ireland is the second largest Christian denomination. Membership declined throughout the twentieth century, but has recently experienced an increase, as have other small Christian denominations. Significant Protestant denominations are the Presbyterian Church and Methodist Church. Immigration has contributed to a growth in Hindu and Muslim populations. In percentage terms, Orthodox Christianity and Islam were the fastest growing religions, with increases of 100% and 70% respectively.

48. Ireland's patron saints are Saint Patrick, Saint Bridget and Saint Columba. Saint Patrick is the only one commonly recognised as the patron saint. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March in Ireland and abroad as the Irish national day, with parades and other celebrations.

49. As with other predominantly Catholic European states, Ireland underwent a period of legal secularisation in the late twentieth century. In 1972, the article of the Constitution naming specific religious groups was deleted by the Fifth Amendment in a referendum. Article 44 still remains in the Constitution: The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion. The article also establishes freedom of religion, prohibits endowment of any religion, prohibits the state from religious discrimination, and requires the state to treat religious and non-religious schools in a non-prejudicial manner.

50. Religious studies was introduced as an optional Junior Certificate subject in 2001. Although many schools are run by religious organisations, a secularist trend is occurring among younger generations.  Religious schools cannot discriminate against pupils concerning religion. A sanctioned system of preference does exist, where students of a particular religion may be accepted before those who do not share the ethos of the school, in a case where a school's quota has already been reached.

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52. Tasks and questions

53. Check out the interesting facts about Ireland. What do you like most?

55. Interesting facts about Ireland

• The main characters of Ireland - clover and harp.

• Most foreigners Ireland is associated with the well-known song - the symbol of the free-love - «Green sleeves» (Green sleeves).

• The patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick is the patron Saint of Nigeria.

• In Ireland is the most Western point of Europe.

• Famous Irish dance is also went through a century without any changes.

• Modern coat of arms of Ireland is almost completely similar to the flag of the country.

• Ireland is famous for numerous red-haired population.

• Ireland is the only country in Europe where people less than dogs.

• Symphony orchestra of the Irish city of cork for 57 years, acted as the same line, for that was in the Guinness Book of records.

• Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin once «canceled» solar Eclipse.

• Many modern names of indigenous Irish still used with prefixes, once the necessary media belonging to a certain sort.

• According to ancient tradition, many families are still left under the door treats for good forest creatures.

• Unlike Europe, Ireland, August is already autumn month.

• The world's first Duty Free shop was opened in the Irish Shannon airport.

57. Chapter 4 National cuisine

59. Irish cuisine is a style of cooking originating from Ireland or developed by Irish people. It evolved from centuries of social and political change. The cuisine takes its influence from the crops grown and animals farmed in its temperate climate. The introduction of the potato in the second half of the 16th century heavily influenced Ireland's cuisine thereafter and, as a result, is often closely associated with Ireland.

61. Kitchen Ireland is slightly different from the cuisines of other European countries, it has in itself no frills, its Foundation is the usual peasant food. Modern kitchen, which is now in Ireland, began in the second half of the sixteenth century, together with the advent of potatoes in the country. The main dish of Ireland is considered Irish stew, potatoes is its basic part. Recipes that you can prepare stew, there is an infinite number, and to determine the first now practically impossible. But it is expected that once in a stew consisted of all the products that you can find in the kitchen. Modern recipe stew looks like this: onions, turnips(репа), potatoes, lamb neck, thyme, salt and spices. Potatoes are also used for preparation of another lot of important Irish dishes, it kolkannion. It is cooked of chopped cabbage, potato, and of course add the onion and seasoning.

63. If an Irishman with a Russian will meet in a conversation about food, they will reach one of the undisputed opinion, to the potatoes always fit herring. Pickled or in part casseroles, herring is eaten in Ireland whole year, such a casserole together with herring is called «Temptation Jansson». But a particular delicacy is, if you managed to catch a small herring, from may to September. In addition to all the dishes of Irish cuisine, without any doubt we can say that the main attraction is the Irish whiskey, far from it gone and Irish coffee. Hot coffee with whisky perfectly warms in rainy weather, which often happens in the country.

67. Common foods

• Dairy: butter, milk, buttermilk, cheese (Ardrahan, Corleggy, Durrus, Cashel Blue, Cooleeney, Gubbeen)^[7]

• Grains: barley, oats, wheat

• Freshwater fish: trout, salmon (frequently smoked)

• Meat: beef, chicken, goose, lamb, mutton, pork, offal (потроха)

• Seafood: mackerel, cod, shellfish (particularly mussels, oysters and lobster)

• Vegetables: cabbage, curly kale, potatoes, carrots, onions, rhubarb

• Fruits: apple, pear, plum, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, tomatoes

68. Traditional foods

70. Barmbrack – a kind of currant cake which contains a golden ring. Traditionally eaten around Halloween.

72. Pork dishes

• Bacon and cabbage

• Black pudding – a traditional dish made from pigs blood, barley and seasoning

• Coddle – main ingredients: pork sausage, back bacon and potato

• Crubeens – pig's trotters

• Skirts and kidneys – a kind of pork stew

75. Potato dishes

• Boxty – a kind of potato pancake

• Champ – main ingredients: mashed potato, scallions, butter and milk

• Colcannon – main ingredients: mashed potato, kale or cabbage, and butter

• Shepherd's Pie/Cottage Pie – main ingredients: mashed potato, minced lamb/beef, and vegetables

77. Tasks and questions

78. Solve the following crossword

79. ^2

    ^4

    ^1

    ^3

    ^6

    ^5

    ^7

    ^8

80. Irish food

1. A famous Irish refreshing soft drink

2. What food was a foundation of Irish cuisine?

3. This vegetable is very popular both in Russia and in Ireland.

4. Dish which is cooked of chopped cabbage, potato, and of course add the onion and seasoning.

5. This product is eaten in Ireland whole year.

6. Traditional Irish bread.

7. The best known Irish dish.

8. Irish, famous alcoholic drink.

87. Check yourself

88. Keys:

1. Coffe

2. Peasant

3. Potatoes

4. Kolkannion

5. Herring

6. Barmbrack

7. Stew

8. Whiskey