Help me teach DD her heritage!

[sweetirishCT]

Hello all...
I was hoping all the Irish mamas around MDC could help me teach my daughter what it *really* means to be Irish. I come from a very large Irish-Catholic family, but we are just SOOO Americanized that most of our traditions have been watered down to the point of being almost the stereotyped Irish.
Please help me teach her what it truly means to be Irish. Help me with recipes, traditions, basic way-of-life stuff. I really want her to understand where she comes from. My ancestors were Quinns and Brennans. If you have any info I would :love ya!! Thanks so much!!
~kat

Another thought: I would love to teach her the real story about St. Patrick, and also some traditional Easter celebrations. It's that time of the year, and easy to incorporate and make part of our own traditions. Thanks!:thumb

[mntnmom]

We come from a similar background, I'm not REAL Irish but had to reply.
We've started reading traditional Irish Literature to our kids, the old legends and fairy stories. Yeats and Irish poetry. It's not the the whole culture of course, but it's a start.

[laikia]

Hi
I'm Irish and married to an american, we've just had a baby boy.
I want to keep up the irish traditions, from the language (teanga), stories (sceal), food(bia),sport and county flags(contae brat) and history(stair)too.
Do you know what part of Ireland your family come from?
If I can help in anyway let me know, would love to help you.

[leanbh]

i'm american and married to an irishman.

my two cents is to start with the words. i think it's important to make an effort to learn the language as you can learn so much about tradition and history from the language. check out and see if you can find some irish language classes in your area. or even, order a 'learn irish' cd or book.

[sweetirishCT]

Thanks for the info, mamas! I have to talk to my Gram to see exactly where the family emigrated from, she has all of the documents. I would love to teach DD the language, but that is something we have lost in the family. I will be looking for language courses.
Any suggestions for books? Recipes? thanks!