Irish folk dances: history and features. National clothes of Great Britain

Green is considered the color of Ireland. Green in Ireland is often combined with sunny red. Many Irish people have naturally red hair. Bright and colorful, like summer itself, is the Irish costume.

"The way home"
Artist Barry Maguire

Ireland is a country with a rich and interesting traditional culture. The Irish are especially famous. folk dances. And the clothes of folk dancers of any country are always clothes associated with a folk costume.

On St. Patrick's Day, Irish dances may be danced all over Europe. And, of course, the United States, where many descendants of Irish emigrants live. The feast of Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick, is very popular today. The holiday color is green. Green is considered the main color in Irish folk costume.

The culture of Ireland is closely connected with the Celtic traditions. Modern Irish are the descendants of the Celtic tribes that once inhabited the vast territory of Western and Central Europe. Of course, in Ireland, as in many other European countries, the traditional ancient pagan culture was influenced by the adoption of Christianity. But, nevertheless, Christianity could not supplant older traditions.

Artist Barry Maguire

The folk costume of any country, including Ireland, is what ordinary people, peasants, have worn for many centuries. Unlike the costumes of the aristocrats, which changed over the centuries from style to style - Romanesque, Baroque, Rococo, and so on, peasant clothing remained virtually unchanged.

"Green sleeves"
Artist Dante Gabriel Rosetti

Most often, a peasant European men's suit is trousers and a shirt, a women's one is a skirt and a shirt or a dress. But at the same time its festive clothes peasants always decorated with drawings - ornaments. Pagan pre-Christian traditions were still preserved in the ornament. These could be patterns symbolizing the sun god, and patterns associated with the goddess of fertility, as well as amulets.

Irish costume ornaments are of ancient Celtic origin.

The folk itself or National Costume Ireland appears in the 19th century, as do the national costumes of other European countries. As a matter of fact, in the 19th century the concept of nations was formed in Europe. AND learned people of each nation begin to actively study the culture, history and traditions of their country. Wherein great attention is devoted to the study of the life and life of the common people.

"Irish Dance"

In the 19th century, namely at the time of the style of romanticism, European thinkers and artists are no longer interested, in contrast to past centuries, in the heritage Ancient Greece and Rome, the history of kings and their victories. In the period of romanticism, thinkers and artists go to the common people.

And based on the folk costume, that is, clothes ordinary people, but not everyday, but festive, national costumes are formed. So it is with the national costume of Ireland.

At the same time, there are also difficulties of their own. Ireland has been under the influence of England for a long time. Also in Ireland, the Vikings once visited, who also largely changed the traditional clothes of the Irish. Thus, about the Celtic costume to XIX century very little information has survived.

In the 19th century, the idea emerged that the Irish wore a kilt skirt. This skirt is still found in the costume of dancers. The Irish kilt skirt, unlike the Scottish one, is not plaid, but plain, most often orange color. Today, Irish dancers can also see a green kilt skirt. But later it turned out that in the VI-XVII centuries, the Irish did not wear any skirts.

vintage postcard for St. Patrick's Day

The Irish men's clothing of the 6th-17th centuries was a long undershirt. It was called Lane. Rich people wore two shirts. The top shirt was shorter. It was decorated with colorful embroidery. Linen shirts were sewn. Linen is a traditional fabric for the clothes of ordinary people almost all over the world. In addition to linen, another common material for peasant clothing is wool.

Pants in Ireland appeared during the Viking Age. Initially, pants were made of leather, like the Vikings. Then they began to sew from linen.

By the 17th century, a sweater appeared in Irish costume. Traditional Irish sweaters are called Aran sweaters, as it was in the Aran Islands that they were first knitted.

There is even a special style of knitting - Aran knitting. Aran knitting is knitting in which a pattern is formed by interlacing braids and crossing loops.

Vintage postcard to St. Patrick's Day

Aran sweaters were originally white or gray colors(today you can also see green sweaters) and were decorated with ornaments with personal signs or the initials of the person who wore the sweater. Aran sweaters were originally traditional clothes fishermen.

Another element of the Irish men's costume today is an elongated jacket or jacket made of dense matter, which, most likely, appear already in the 18th century under the influence of the townspeople's costume. Under a jacket or jacket today, Irish folk dancers wear either the sweater described above or a vest. They wear a kilt on their feet short pants and woolen striped leggings. And, of course, an obligatory part of the Irish folk costume is a large cloth beret.

Another thing that is mandatory for the folk costume of Ireland is a woolen cloak with a voluminous hood. A cloak similar to a plaid has been worn since Celtic times. In the 6th-17th centuries in Ireland, both men and women wore such a cloak. This raincoat was called Bret. It was sewn from dense woolen fabric and fastened with a brooch on the shoulder or chest, or tied at the throat with a braid. Such a raincoat protected very well from winds and cold. Bret's raincoats were plain - blue, black, gray, but most often red.

Vintage postcard to St. Patrick's Day

Women's dresses in Irish national costume

ABOUT women's suit Celtic times by the 19th century was known even less than about men's suit. Today women's folk clothes in Ireland it is considered a dress with an accentuated waistline and expanding downwards. Irish folk dancers wear such dresses in plain green or with a striped skirt. Another element of the women's folk costume of Ireland is shawls decorated with a bright border.

Thus, in the 19th century, on the basis of historical data on the folk costume of Ireland, as well as under the influence of the development of interest in folk Irish dances, the national costume of Ireland was formed, which exists to this day.

Ireland is a country with amazing people, traditions and customs. The national cuisine of Ireland is peasant food, and freshly caught fish and Irish stew are delicacies. The Irish drink a lot, and, as a rule, exclusively Irish whiskey in pure form. The country of Ireland is able to surprise with its festive fairs, where both sellers and buyers are not averse to having fun, dancing and singing national songs. A tourist should take an umbrella with him, as it often drizzles in this country, from which locals escape in warm and cozy pubs over a cup of coffee with Irish whiskey.

Transport

Ireland has a well-developed network of intercity flights. Buses are popular in cities. Tourists should remember that left-hand traffic operates in this country. There are two types of buses here, double-decker, as in England, and ordinary. Double-decker buses have a typical Irish green color. The fare is paid directly on the bus. The passenger names the destination, the driver says the price, and the passenger tosses coins into a special machine. The machine does not accept bills and does not give change. In order for the bus to stop at a stop where a tourist is waiting for public transport, you need to raise your hand, otherwise the driver will not understand that the passenger wants to use his services.

On the first floor of the bus, as a rule, pensioners and parents with children are located, the second floor was chosen by young people and tourists. They say that Irish buses are the slowest in the world, but if you sit on the first seat of the second floor, you want to challenge this opinion.

The ground floor of double-decker Irish buses has a special compartment for large luggage. Of course, ladies' handbags, as well as backpacks with valuable equipment, should not be left there, and hardly anyone wants to steal large luggage. The bus stops at the bus stop only if the passenger presses the red “stop” button.

The bus is also a convenient mode of transport, and because for public transport Ireland has a separate lane, so buses and taxis never get stuck in traffic jams.

The tram in Ireland appeared rather recently. Only 5 years ago, but during this time it has become a popular form of public transport. The fare on the tram depends on the distance travelled.

In Ireland, there is also a special transport for tourists, river boats, and tourist buses, following all the so-called "hot" places.

Electricity in the country

The voltage in the electrical network of Ireland corresponds to European standards 220 volts with an alternating current frequency of 50 hertz. In some hotels in Ireland there are sockets that involve sockets with three plugs. For such outlets, tourists will need a special adapter - an adapter, which can be taken from the administrator at the hotel reception.

Holidays in Ireland

February 7 - St. Mel's Day. Saint Mel is especially revered in County Longford. From scripture it is known that Mel arrived in Ireland with St. Patrick, whose Day is celebrated on March 17th. Mel was the one who preached Christianity in these lands. For a long time Mel did not have the dignity of a bishop, since he did not have a church either, Mel led a missionary lifestyle. He honestly worked, earned a living and honored all the laws of Christianity. Saint Mel is famous for having taken the monastic vows of a woman, Saint Brigid, accidentally mistaking her for a man, and performing a ceremonial handshake. To the protests of other monks, Mel said that it was the will of the Almighty and he did not intend to cancel the handshake.

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, earlier in this day masses were obligatory attended, and the day fell on Great Lent. And all the drinking establishments were closed that day. Only much later did it become customary to go into a pub and knock over a couple of whiskeys after a church service. St. Patrick's Day is associated with drinking, in green and the shamrock worn by Irish soldiers on their chests during hostilities. Then, as fashion decoration, a sprig of shamrock decorated hats. In 1900, Queen Victoria decreed that the shamrock be worn as a memorial to fallen soldiers in the Boer War.

December 26 - Saint Stephen's Day. This holiday belongs to the Catholic. Traditionally, on this day, boys dress up as chimney sweeps, smear themselves in soot and walk around neighbors and streets, collecting donations for good causes. On this day in Dublin, Christmas horse races are held at the Leopardstown Racecourse. December 26 is closely associated with horse racing because St. Stephen is the patron saint of horses. The Irish have been celebrating the holiday since 1888.

National clothes in Ireland

National clothes Ireland has completely lost its historical and cultural value. Since even on national holidays almost no one appears in a traditional costume, except perhaps. Except for the Irish pipers ensemble.

The traditional men's costume involves a kilt, only unlike the Scottish black and red checkered, the Irish kilt is sewn from a plain orange fabric. The outfit also includes light shirt without a collar, a dark-colored jacket, check knee-highs, a beret-shaped headdress and rough leather boots complete the composition.

In the settlements, women wore dresses, tying them with colorful embroidered belts, and throwing a shawl over their shoulders, trimmed with lace. The men wore fancy-patterned sweaters and warm vests.

To date, various National holidays The Irish prefer to wear green as green is the national color of Ireland. Men wear green ties, hats, jackets, women wear green jewelry, skirts, blouses or carry green handbags for holidays.

Since ancient times, the Irish have used woolen fabric for sewing clothes, processing sheep's wool. Irishmen from any class wore in cold weather long cloaks with a hood, called "bret". The cloak was fastened with a brooch or a large button on the chest or on the shoulder.

National cuisine in Ireland

The national cuisine of Ireland is very simple, the basis of its peasant dishes. With the discovery of the New World, potatoes were brought to Ireland, which became one of the main ingredients in the cooking process. Residents of the coast use fish and seafood more in the diet, residents of the central part of Ireland prefer meat, mainly lamb and pork. As a rule, the basis for any dish (garnish) is an abundance of vegetables with potatoes.

The Irish love to cook meat on the grill, over an open fire. The most common national dish is the grill mix, which consists of fried, over an open fire, meat pieces of lamb, pork, homemade sausages. Meat, like potatoes, is fried, stewed, marinated, added as a base for pies, etc.

Of the abundance of fish and seafood, the Irish prefer salmon and cod. And the most famous national fish dishes are salmon in vegetables. And gourmets will be able to appreciate the oyster dish with sea kale.

Seaweed is often added to dishes, red seaweed is used in mashed potatoes, and Irish moss, which is harvested in the spring, is used as a seasoning in dried and fresh.

IN national cuisine Ireland is popular with hash browns and grated potatoes. Such a dish is also known in Russia, called "pancakes". In Ireland, these pancakes are called "boxies". Chips are made from potatoes - a favorite delicacy of the Irish, which you can have a bite to eat. Chips are eaten everywhere, with various additives.

One of the main delicacies in Ireland is herring. Especially the one that was caught from May to September. Herring is consumed with mashed potatoes and potato casseroles.

chief alcoholic drink in Ireland is Irish whiskey, which is drunk clean, with ice. It is not customary to use Irish whiskey for making cocktails here. The exception is coffee with whiskey. A tempered glass, which practically does not heat up, is poured into a hot fragrant drink, cream and a few tablespoons of Irish whiskey. Ireland is known for yet another alcoholic drink, the dark and thick-seeming Porter beer.

Religion and customs of the country

The culture of Ireland will seem quite curious and interesting to tourists. In addition, Ireland is rich in traditions and customs, which are revered by the Irish themselves quite fiercely. A popular tradition in Ireland is the holding of fairs - this is always an occasion to have fun. During the lush sales and trade at the fair, the Irish arrange national dances, contests, sing songs and even dress up in national costumes. There is always a festive atmosphere here. You can not only buy goods at a low price, but also taste grilled sausages, chips, taste Irish whiskey or beer. Fairs are often accompanied sports events, competitions.

On New Year's Eve, the Irish traditionally leave their doors open so that everyone who enters the house feels welcome. Such a custom may seem dangerous, you never know who and for what purposes can actually enter the house. In Ireland, this tradition has been observed from time immemorial, therefore in small towns they do not think that something irreparable can happen.

On the birthday of the birthday boy, they turned upside down and lightly banged their heads on the floor as many times as they turned years old. There is a similar tradition in Russia, only the birthday boy is pulled by the ears, and not hit on the floor.

Previously, pigs lived in the houses of the Irish, together with the owners of the house. The Irish jokingly called pigs "the gentleman who pays the rent." The owners of bars and pubs installed figurines or images of cats on the signboard of the institution. The animal, in turn, symbolized the owner of the drinking establishment, so dissatisfied customers were sent to contact the cat directly with all questions.

Rules of conduct in Ireland

Each country has its own certain rules, orders, customs and traditions, to which tourists should be treated with special awe and understanding. The national character trait of the Irish is responsiveness and attentiveness.

Ireland passed a law banning smoking in in public places, so tourists with this habit should be careful.

It is not customary for the Irish to give each other large amounts of tactile contacts, for example, men do not hug each other when they meet, as in Russia, and do not pat on the shoulder, even if they have not seen each other for a long time. Hugs are appropriate only at football matches.

When greeting, the Irish nod their heads, shake hands or raise forefinger. Such types of greetings are appropriate both with friends and with unfamiliar people.

If you are invited to visit, it is not customary to come empty-handed. If the hostess of the evening is a woman, then you should come with a bouquet of flowers, or bring a box delicious sweets for tea. In the morning, after the visit, the rule good manners a thank you card for a wonderful dinner will be counted.

Tourists should not talk about the UK in front of the Irish, or compare the Irish with the English. You should not touch on topics such as feminism or religion. Of the acceptable topics for conversation, family, sports, and hobbies should be singled out.

Tourists should be aware of the presence of a rather bad climate. It often rains in Ireland, so it is recommended to take an umbrella with you when you travel.

Entertainment in Ireland

Entertainment in Ireland abound. What are the merry fairs that are often held in these places. The fair for the Irish is not so much a way to earn money as an occasion to have fun. During the fair, the Irish arrange national dances, the poet of the song, arrange sport competitions in which tourists can also participate. Pleasure will surely bring celebration atmosphere, and eateries where treats are cooked on an open fire.

A large number of museums, exhibitions and even music pubs where live music plays every evening is concentrated in the center of the tourism industry, the Irish city of Galway.

Ireland boasts some of the best fishing spots in Europe. In every county of Ireland there is a place suitable for fishing. And for many male tourists, fishing is one of their favorite pastimes.

As a relaxing holiday, you can choose walks in park areas, where there are special footpaths that run along the picturesque corners of the park.

Admiring the beauty of the coast is also a kind of aesthetic pleasure. Two-meter steep cliffs that are located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean - "cliffs" are very popular with tourists.

Divorce tourists will allow visiting all kinds of festivals. In September, Galway hosts the Oyster Festival. In Ballinasloe, the "Irish rodeo" - a horse fair - falls in October. One of the largest in Ireland.

During the summer months, the Irish counties host music festivals ranging from jazz to folk. As a cultural education in Ireland they arrange literary readings on open air.

Difference in time

A knowledgeable tourist always plans his vacation so that he has a few days left to adapt after a change in climate and time zone. If the tourist knows for sure that the time difference with a certain resort will be significant, then it is necessary to make a plan, leaving a couple of days for adaptation, both at the resort and upon returning home. A significant time difference knocks out of the usual daily routine and tourists on vacation can clearly feel this discomfort. The feeling of drowsiness, when it seems that the sun is not going down yet, the feeling of hunger, comes according to the usual routine, although it is still very far before dinner. When planning a vacation, you should clarify what is the time difference with Ireland, so as not to fall out of the planned vacation plan due to an uncomfortable feeling.

The time difference Ireland (Dublin) - Moscow is +4 hours
The time difference Ireland (Dublin) - Novosibirsk is +6 hours
The time difference Ireland (Dublin) - Vladivostok is + 11 hours
The time difference Ireland (Dublin) - Yekaterinburg is +6 hours

Flight time to Ireland

How much to fly to Ireland is an ambiguous question. Direct flight is carried out from Moscow. And the flight time is 6 hours 35 minutes, sometimes the time increases to 7 hours, depending on the airline. If the tourist is not a resident of Moscow, then you will have to get to Ireland with a transfer. First get from your city to the capital, and then go to Ireland. Some tourists will have to make several transfers, depending on which route they have chosen. If you are not sure which route to choose, you should contact a travel company, where they will advise you on how much a tour to the resorts of Ireland will cost, taking into account your financial opportunities.

Flight time Moscow - Dublin is 7 hours

Green is considered the color of Ireland. Green in Ireland is often combined with sunny red. Many Irish people have naturally red hair. Bright and colorful, like summer itself, is the Irish costume.

"The way home"
Artist Barry Maguire

Ireland is a country with a rich and interesting traditional culture. Irish folk dances are especially famous. And the clothes of folk dancers of any country are always clothes associated with a folk costume.

Celtic motifs

Artist Barry Maguire

Any country, including Ireland, is what ordinary people, peasants, have been wearing for many centuries. Unlike the costumes of the aristocrats, which changed over the centuries from style to style - Romanesque, Baroque, Rococo, and so on, peasant clothing remained virtually unchanged.

"Green sleeves"
Artist Dante Gabriel Rosetti

Most often, a peasant European men's suit is trousers and a shirt, a women's one is a skirt and a shirt or a dress. But at the same time, the peasants always decorated their festive clothes with drawings - ornaments. Pagan pre-Christian traditions were still preserved in the ornament. These could be patterns symbolizing the sun god, and patterns associated with the goddess of fertility, as well as amulets.

Irish costume ornaments are of ancient Celtic origin.

From folk clothes to national costume

The folk or national costume of Ireland itself appears in the 19th century, as well as the national costumes of other European countries. As a matter of fact, in the 19th century the concept of nations was formed in Europe. And the learned people of each nation begin to actively study the culture, history and traditions of their country. At the same time, much attention is paid to the study of the life and life of the common people.

"Irish Dance"

In the 19th century, namely at the time, European thinkers and artists are no longer interested, in contrast to past centuries, in the heritage of Ancient Greece and Rome, the history of kings and their victories. In the period of romanticism, thinkers and artists go to the common people.

And on the basis of the folk costume, that is, the clothes of ordinary people, but not everyday, but festive, national costumes are formed. So it is with the national costume of Ireland.

At the same time, there are also difficulties of their own. Ireland has been under the influence of England for a long time. Also in Ireland, the Vikings once visited, who also largely changed the traditional clothes of the Irish. Thus, very little information has been preserved about the Celtic costume by the 19th century.

Mistake with a kilt and fishermen's sweaters

In the 19th century, the idea emerged that the Irish wore a kilt skirt. This skirt is still found in the costume of dancers. The Irish kilt skirt, unlike the Scottish one, is not plaid, but plain, most often orange. Today, Irish dancers can also see a green kilt skirt. But later it turned out that in the VI-XVII centuries, the Irish did not wear any skirts.

Vintage postcard to St. Patrick's Day

Pants in Ireland appeared during the Viking Age. Initially, pants were made of leather, like the Vikings. Then they began to sew from linen.

By the 17th century, a sweater appeared in Irish costume. Traditional Irish sweaters are called Aran sweaters, as it was in the Aran Islands that they were first knitted.

There is even a special style of knitting - Aran knitting. Aran knitting is knitting in which a pattern is formed by interlacing braids and crossing loops.

Vintage postcard to St. Patrick's Day

Initially, Aran sweaters were white or gray (today you can also see green sweaters) and were decorated with ornaments with personal signs or the initials of the person who wore the sweater. Initially, Aran sweaters were the traditional clothing of fishermen.

Another element of the Irish men's costume today is an elongated jacket or jacket made of dense matter, which, most likely, appear already in the 18th century under the influence of the townspeople's costume. Under a jacket or jacket today, Irish folk dancers wear either the sweater described above or a vest. On their feet they wear a kilt or short pants and woolen striped leggings. And, of course, an obligatory part of the Irish folk costume is a large cloth beret.

Red Celtic cloak bret

Vintage postcard to St. Patrick's Day

Women's dresses in Irish national costume

Even less was known about the women's costume of Celtic times by the 19th century than about the men's costume. Today, women's folk clothing in Ireland is considered to be a dress with an accentuated waistline and expanding downwards. Irish folk dancers wear such dresses in plain green or with a striped skirt. Another element of the women's folk costume of Ireland is shawls decorated with a bright border.

Ireland boasts an outstanding national costume, which from about the 16th century. did not recognize the huge changes. The most sought-after materials from which clothes were made were, of course, linen and wool.

The main attribute of the costume was a linen shirt and a wool cloak, preferably with a hood. To know, on top of a long shirt, she put on another more solid one. Often such an overshirt was embroidered very intricate patterns and ornaments. Interestingly, at the time of Briand there was a certain limit on the colors in clothes. The richer the Irishman was, the brighter and more colorful clothes he was allowed to wear. Long time The Irish did not know such an attribute as pants, and with the advent of the Vikings, the fashion for pants also came. These trousers were made of leather, but then they began to use linen. But wide raincoats, which were sheathed with woolen braid, were reputed to be a feature of this nationality until colonization.

Due to constant wars, the Irish began to lose their national costume, as they had to live in poverty. This nation adopted the European style, and then abruptly switched to English style clothes. But already in the 18th century it was possible to meet an Irishman dressed in a camisole and wool leggings. Short trousers and a shirt were also considered a national attribute, but no longer dyed. At the same time, there was a kind of bizarre footwear - wooden shoes, which were distinguished by their rude form.

The Gaelic League was founded in 1893 to stimulate and maintain interest in Irish culture and language, an important part of the "Celtic Revival Movement". Douglas Head, one of the founders, spoke of the need to de-anglize the Irish nation. The Irish costume was chosen as one of the ways to achieve this. Nellie O'Brien, a member of the executive committee of the Gaelic League, declared in 1911: "A man who has Irish on his lips must have Irish clothes on his shoulders."

The 19th century is marked by the appearance of a checkered jacket, under which it was customary to wear a vest or a primitive sweater. A feature of the image was a funny wedge cap. The 20th century determined the emergence long coat, which was similar to an overcoat.

Now, the clothes of traditional keili and tap dancers are primarily associated with the “national costume”. Their costumes combine folk ornaments, modern and ancient clothing details.

For women it is bright dress, expanding downwards and decorated with multi-colored embroidery. The real cape is only used in the show. If anyone remembers the first appearance of Riverdance at Eurovision, then it was from such a “cloak” that Jean Butler came out to dance her part. But very often a piece of light colored fabric imitating a raincoat is attached to the back of the shoulders, or sewn on. This is very beautiful, because such a cloak can develop in the wind and from quick movements, but does not fall off the shoulders. A real cloak was fastened to the shoulders on both sides with large brooches with a needle, and it was hardly possible to dance in it because of its length.

Men have two equal options for dancing clothes. It can be just a suit, and always with a tie and in the color of your dance school, for example, black and green. In a more specific version, this is a combination of a jacket, a shirt with a tie and a skirt coming out directly from under the jacket. It is more convenient to dance this way, since the skirt does not restrict movement, but there are no patterns on such a skirt.

It is always interesting to learn about the origin of the clothes of a particular people. All costumes are different in style, color scheme and small details.

Until now, national attire haunts the newfangled designer who seeks to modify them, while maintaining amazing color. Irish traditional costume could not be an exception.

Ireland has created a truly chic outfit, however, there is now a lot of contentious discussion about clothing. The fact is that the national costume of the Irish has long become part of history - the inhabitants of Ireland do not use it everywhere. Admiring a delightful outfit is possible only at festivals.

The formation of the national Irish costume was not influenced by the cultures of other countries, and this is hallmark proud Irish robes.

Many elements of clothing had to be adopted from sailors and merchants from other countries, but the traditional costume of Ireland never adapted to representatives of other peoples. Only England managed to make some adjustments.

Stages of development

On the way to that appearance, which people of our time can contemplate with pleasure, the Irish national costume needed to undergo major changes.

The Irish began to create their own costume in the sixth century. The outfit looked extremely simple - a linen shirt, a loose woolen cloak, the length of which reached the floor. The cloaks were equipped with large hoods.

Over time, social stratification became more clearly visible in Ireland, and then wealthy families had the opportunity to stand out with the help of luxurious attire. The rich wore a different shirt, which was made from high-quality fabric. Most often it was silk or fine linen. It could not do without embroidery with gold threads. The higher the position of a person in society, the more difficult the clothes looked.
Not always a rich Irishman was allowed to wear what he wanted. Depending on the origin and field of activity, the law dictated to the Irish people what color of clothing a person could use.

Specificity

The national costume of the Irish people has changed over the years. Pants were the first part of the wardrobe, but they were not invented by the inhabitants of Ireland themselves.

The Irish adopted the pants from the sailors.

The climate in Ireland is very harsh. The raging icy wind, rain and damp air forced the freezing Irish to come up with such clothes so that they could escape the cold. Then there were the sweaters! They made an indispensable sweater from fabrics of gray and white color. Since they were made exclusively with their own hands, each product was distinguished by an original ornament.

The patterns usually consisted of the initials of the owner or some other personal signs and symbols.

Influence of England

For a long time, Ireland did not obey anyone, but over time, the influence of majestic England began to spread throughout the country. The British did not interfere with the development of an original national Irish costume. On the contrary, they brought clothes into the traditional wardrobe, which helped the outfit to finally take shape.

The national costume of the Irish people acquired features characteristic of Europe at that time.

There were jackets made of dense material, as well as elongated jackets. By skillfully combining these clothes with baggy sweaters, the Irish people were able to completely protect themselves from the cold.
Large cloth berets were popular.

Men could not imagine themselves without shirts decorated in light color. There were no collars.
The Irish fell in love with a plain kilt skirt. Mostly it was possible to meet orange options.

During the reign of the English state, the robe of Ireland acquired a piercing green color. It is the green suit that pops up in the imagination modern man when the conversation turns to national Irish clothes.

Woman suit

One of the main decorations northern country become girls. The fame of Irish beauties spread throughout the world. Poets imagined Irish women as flowers grown under the gusts of a chilly wind. Dressed in a national costume, women became even more beautiful. Their beauty did not give rest to men.

Unfortunately, now there is little reliable information about what the traditional women's outfits were. However, historians studying the culture of Ireland assure that every girl had a bright green dress.

The style of the attire was perfect - it helped to emphasize every natural dignity of the figure. At the same time, in no case could a woman be suspected of debauchery. The creators of the costume managed to combine two characteristics - seductiveness and modesty.

Men's outfit

Men could boast of two standard kits clothes.

If the Irish wanted to appear serious and courageous, he dressed in strict trousers and a jacket. Also, no man could do without a black tie. Thanks to this accessory, it was possible to easily create the image of an imperious, self-confident person.
The second set expressed the brightness of the Irishman. Throwing trousers aside, men put on kilt skirts, the design of which was made in a checkered or striped pattern. combination of green and orange shades showed the individuality of the people of Ireland. In such clothes, the Irish preferred to visit drinking establishments.