Celtic Songs, Beer, and Symbols

by Poli
(Budapest, Hungary)

My sister is married to an Irish man for 7 years already, and she celebrates her birthday parties at pubs in her village, some 30 kms from Dublin. I have been to two of her birthday parties, and think the atmosphere on those parties is very specific, with old Celtic traditions, toasts and symbols preserved and followed even by the youngest.

Her two birthdays were celebrated at a local pub, with lots of singing (everyone sang!), and lots of draft beer. The party consisted mostly of her fellows and closest relatives of her husband.

During the birthday, everyone announced a toast wishing her a long life, health, good luck to her and her family. Among the toasts I’ve heard, this sounded most interesting: “Lets drink to your coffin. May it be built from a hundred year old oak tree that I shall plant tomorrow.”

She got a lot of small presents, including small greeting cards with wishes - some hand-made by her guests, and really beautiful.

I especially liked those interesting framed birthday blessings. A blessing is printed on some nice Irish landscape, or a traditional Irish design, together with the name of the person giving the blessing, and then framed. This makes a really personalized present.

I also liked the jewelry she was given by her husband's relatves (a necklace and pendant), which illustrated Celtic spirals and knots. These Celtic symbols are widely used I noticed, since I also saw them on the silver cuff links her husband was wearing.

Another present she received was a decorated gourd, which serves for drinking yerba mate tea. The gourd had different Celtic symbols painted on it.

All these gifts are inspired from ancient Celtic traditions I understood - seems they are still living in almost every aspect of Irish life... these traditional gifts made the greatest impression with me!

I also saw a photo of her boy's birthday, with it turned upside down. In Ireland there's a tradition to turn the kid upside down, and then bump him on the head. This is for good luck, and the number of bumps is equal to the age of the kid.

Good they apply this with kids only :)