Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare, Ireland

Ireland’s Enduring Culture of Hospitality

I remember returning home to Ireland after almost two years travelling back in 2007. I got as far as Heathrow and joined the check-in queue for an Aer Lingus flight to Dublin. The flight was subsequently delayed and I recall smiling as I noticed the sound level of conversation beginning to steadily rise. Irish people who had been strangers a short time earlier were now exchanging the latest travel news and engaged in friendly chat.

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So why are Irish people among the friendliest in the Western world? I’ve always had an interest in ancient Irish history and culture which helps shines a light on a possible reason for one of our most enduring and popular character traits.

Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare, Ireland
Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare, Ireland © atomicpuppy68

It turns out that in ancient Ireland, hospitality was mandated by law. Welcoming a stranger was an enforced cultural norm with a detailed set of customary guidelines. To refuse hospitality was to risk being shunned and sanctioned. This might seem a tad draconian and archaic nowadays, but there were several practical reasons for this law.

Ancient Ireland had no towns or major roads and areas were isolated by mountains, vast boggy marshes and huge forests. Encouraging a culture of hospitality promoted travel, trade and the exchange of new ideas, crafts and traditional arts. This led to a very vibrant rural society in ancient Ireland and helped forge a unified cultural identity.

Strangers could arrive unannounced at the door of any Irish homestead and be expected to be provided with hot water, a warm meal of meat and veg, a clean bed of straw and entertained with music, poetry, songs and stories by the fireside. This custom is reflected in the Irish language in one of the most popular phrases, céad míle fáilte, which translated means ‘a hundred thousand welcomes.’

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Tea © Aih

I believe that this ancient code of hospitality has left a cultural imprint on Irish people who came to recognise the mutual advantages that come with a friendly and outgoing disposition and giving strangers a warm welcome. Modern bed and breakfasts are our closest link to this ancient custom as they still open their homes to guests and often go out of their way to make sure they experience authentic Irish hospitality in its many forms.

In the spirit of times past and The Gathering 2013, B&B’s will be offering a complimentary cup of tea and home baking to guests on arrival, plus an informal chat and introduction to their local area.

This might be the perfect time to visit Ireland and experience the warmth, wit and hospitality of its people for yourself, in this year of the Gathering 2013.

  1. Thanks for a great read. My name is Danny and I would love to speak with the author of this piece. I work in a hotel called the Brehon in Killarney. Not only our entire ethos but our name is based on the ancient laws that u speak of. We even run a course for our staff called the Brehon way which is based on the Brehon laws, a set of ancient laws that governed how we treated passers by, hence a great name for a hotel.

    I love the description of the airport scene and can only imagine being there. I went to the Olympics during the summer and on the tune I spoke with everyone. My friend thought I was mad. But I guess it’s just in us an its a great trait to have sure.

    As I said I would love to speak with the author of this piece a bit more about the Brehon laws and our connection with such customs. Please fell free to contact me @ [email protected]

    Thanks again for a great piece

    Danny

  2. Thank you, My grams raised me to be right an while she was Dutch gramps was all Irish, I’d heard “the laws of hospitality” mentioned no one ever broke down what they are just taught us to behave . It’s most pleasing to have a better grasp of whats was and why. We all could relearn to be right tho we must be cautious I imaging it could be dangerous in the old days too.

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