Are We In The Midst Of An Irish Renaissance?

From Paul Mescal’s infamous GAA shorts to a shortage of Ireland’s beloved stout, the Irish Renaissance is upon us and has sparked a cultural revival.

In the last few years, Ireland has held its own when it comes to culture, tradition, and heritage. I have unofficially titled this period in time ‘The Irish Renaissance’ as we see a growth in the popularity of Ireland and her cultural background.

We are going through a second Gaeilge revival, the first being in the 19th century when Conradh na Gaeilge was established to preserve Irish culture. Their aim was to promote an Irish identity in the form of sport (in the form of GAA), art, and language.

Guinness is Ireland’s elixir of life. It is as dear to us as the air we breathe, thus being one of the most common things associated with the Irish. Recently, there has been a significant decrease in the availability of Guinness due to a social media-fuelled surge that has left some pubs facing shortages.

Last month, pubs in the UK were limited in the number of kegs they could buy in. Many long-time Guinness drinkers had Gen Z to blame for the sudden popularity of the famous stout. Many attribute this increased appetite to the ‘splitting the G’ trend, where drinkers attempt to split the drink logo in one hefty gulp. Is it all just a trend, or have the new generation begun to appreciate their home brew?

 

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There has been a recent rise in small Irish brands trying to create a prideful experience for their customers by incorporating Irish traditions into jewellery. Brands like Fada Jewellery and Fíor Jewellery bring Irish elements to life in their sterling silver and gold pieces.

Some designs include the Claddagh symbol, the outline of Ireland incorporated into a pendant, or engravings of Irish text on bracelets or necklaces. It’s just a subtle way to keep home close to your heart while also displaying your pride for Ireland.

More people want to wear and show off their culture, and our Irish traditions are turning into trends, such as Claddagh hoop earrings seen recently on TikTok, with Irish influencers sporting this modern take on the classic ring.

Gen Z have also wanted to reclaim their Irish roots by relearning Gaeilge or incorporating small phrases and words into everyday life. Some cafés in Ireland have noticed this Gaeilge revival and offer discounts when customers order their tea or coffee in Irish.

Social media creators provide a series on their pages where they post a video every day teaching Irish viewers new terms that they may or may not have learned during their years at school.  Many influencers have also opted to speak Gaeilge in their vlogs or GRWM (Get Ready with Me) videos, using their ‘Gaeilge briste’ over their ‘Béarla cliste’.

@thegaeilgegal Ag déanamh mo chuid smideadh🫶🏻🤍 #gaeilge #irish #fyp ♬ original sound – thegaeilgegal

The music group Kneecap has helped kickstart this second revival by having an influence on the younger generation in terms of promoting the Irish language through their music, as well as the recent release of their film, Kneecap. They have been credited to have influenced young people to speak their native tongue.

Now the perception of how we view Irish as a language has changed for the younger generation of today. It will not be thought of as a mandatory subject in school, but as part of our cultural identity.

To sum up, Ireland is undoubtedly in the midst of a cultural renaissance. This shift represents a unique blend of tradition and modernity, where the country’s rich heritage is not only being preserved but also reinterpreted for today’s audience.

As traditional Irish elements, like Gaeilge and iconic symbols such as the Claddagh, are being reimagined through contemporary trends, young people are finding new ways to express their heritage.

For them, embracing their cultural identity is no longer confined to the classroom or outdated customs; it’s becoming a dynamic, everyday experience By incorporating their cultural roots into modern expressions of self, from language to fashion to music, the younger generation is helping to shape a new cultural narrative—one that honours the past while boldly forging its own path forward.

Words by Alyssa O’Sullivan