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Irish - Ireland - Celtic
Matchmakers played a big role
in the past of getting the couples together.
The traditional
wedding ring is called the claddagh ring has been
handed down from mother to daughter and is used
as betrothal and wedding rings. It is worn with
the crowns facing inward, toward the wrist, on betrothal,
and outward, toward the nail, to symbolize marriage.
The hands represent faith, the heart love, and the
crown honor.
The Claddagh wedding tradition originates
from the tale about a man in ancient Galway. He was
soon to become wed and was taken prisoner by roving
sailors and forced into labor in a foreign land. During
that time he taught himself the art of jewelry-making.
Upon his return to his homeland he found his maiden
had never married, and in his happiness, he fashioned
the now famous Claddagh wedding band. The rings depicts
a heart, held by two hands with a crown over it. Many
"lassies" now wear the Claddagh ring, but
only those that are wed wear it with the hands facing
in.
A groom is invited to the brides
house the night before the wedding for dinner. A goose
is cooked in his honor. It is tradition to place a statue
of the Infant of Prague outside the church the night
before the wedding to insure a sunny wedding day, which
was also good luck.
The wedding celebration includes the whole village or
town and often last several days.
Brides used lavender in their bouquets
and in their braided hair to symbolize feminine power
of luck. Lucky Horseshoes were tied with open end facing
up to the bridal bouquet so that it catches good luck.
And the magic hanky that the bride carries along with
her is typically turned into a christening bonnet for
their child and saved until that child's own wedding
day.
Like many other cultures bread plays
an important role in the Celtic ceremony. Bread is broken
over the couples head to ensure prosperity and the crumbs
are gathered by the single guests as a "good luck"
token - that they might find their ideal mate in the
future. The love knot which is a pattern of continuous
unending lines that intertwine. This design represents
eternity, unity and fidelity and is also used in the
ceremony.
The couple will leave the church
in a different direction for which they arrived, as
a symbol of the new direction in their lives.
There are many dances at an Irish
wedding, but one of the more notable is the "janting
char" where the groom is carried in a chair to
present him to the guests.
Guest would also get the wedding
couple to kiss as they stood up to sing a song or a poem
that include the word "LOVE" in it.
The wedding cake a three-layered
whiskey-laced fruit cake with almond paste. The top
layer was preserved for consumption at the christening
of the first born child.
Having a pint of Guinness or Murphy's
to wash down the cake is always a welcome gesture. Cake
tradition was three-layered fruit cake with almond and
laced with whiskey. The top layer of the cake was preserved
for consumption at the christening of the first born
child.
Shamrocks are uniquely associated
with the Irish as a four leaf clover depicts hope, faith, love, and luck.
IRISH TOAST
Friends and relatives,
so fond and dear, 'tis our greatest pleasure to have
you here. When many years this day has passed, fondest
memories will always last. So we drink a cup of Irish
mead and ask God's blessing in your hour of need."
The guests respond: "On this special day, our wish
to you, the goodness of the old, the best of the new.
God bless you both who drink this mead, may it always
fill your every need."
IRISH WEDDING SONG
"Here they stand hand in hand,
They’ve exchanged wedding bands,
Today is the day of their dreams and their plans,
And all we who love them just wanted to say,
May God bless this couple who married today,
In good times and bad times in sickness and health,
May they know that riches are not needed for wealth,
And help them face problems they'll meet on their way,
Oh God bless this couple who married today,
May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind,
May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time,
May their children be happy each day,
Oh God bless this family who started today,
As they go may they know every love that was shown,
And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow,
Wherever they travel wherever they stay,
May God bless this couple who married today."
IRISH WEDDING BLESSING
May God be with you and bless you
May you see your children's children
May you be poor in misfortunes,
Rich in blessings
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward
Irish Tourist
Board at (212) 418-0800
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