Culture of Northern Ireland

The culture of Northern Ireland encompasses elements of the culture of Ulster, the culture of Ireland as a whole, the culture of Scotland and the culture of England are to be found.

Heritage

Since 1998, the Ulster Museum, Armagh Museum, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the Ulster American Folk Park have been administered by the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland.[1]

The Linen Hall Library, the oldest library in Belfast, has endured many changes of fortune since its foundation in 1788, but has maintained a vision of providing access to literature and local studies to the population at large.

The Ulster-Scots Community Network was set up in 1995 as an umbrella organization to represent the Ulster-Scots community.[2] It has over 400 member groups and is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. They aim to educate the people of Northern Ireland about the history of Ulster and it's musical and cultural traditions.[3]

Cuisine

An Ulster fry, served in Belfast.

Northern Ireland's best known chefs include Paul Rankin and Michael Deane.

The best known traditional dish in Northern Ireland is the Ulster fry. Two other popular meals are fish and chips or 'Bangers and Mash' (Sausages and Creamed Potatoes)

A unique speciality to Northern Ireland is Yellowman. Yellowman is a chewy toffee-textured honeycomb and is sold in non-standard blocks and chips and is associated with the Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle, County Antrim, where it is sold along with other confectionery and often dulse.

Dulse is commonly used in Ireland, where it can be used to make white soda bread. It can be found in many health food stores or fish markets and can be ordered directly from local distributors. it is also traditionally sold at the Ould Lammas Fair. It is particularly popular along the Causeway Coast. Although a fast-dying tradition, many gather their own dulse. Along the Ulster coastline from County Down to County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, it is eaten dried and uncooked as a snack.

Language

The brand identity of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland as shown on this sign is displayed in English, Irish and Ulster Scots

English is the most spoken language in Northern Ireland. There are also two recognised regional languages in Northern Ireland: the Irish language (see Irish language in Northern Ireland) and the local variety of Scots known as Ulster Scots.[4] Northern Ireland Sign Language and Irish Sign Language have been recognised since 29 March 2004.[5][6] A third, British Sign Language is also used.

The Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) was established following the 1998 Belfast Agreement to promote the study, conservation, and development of the Ulster-Scots language.[7] A key annual event is Ulster-Scots Leid Week in late November, which focuses on the 'Living Language' through public recitals, broadcasts, and educational workshops aimed at preserving the dialect's unique vocabulary and 'Rhyming Weaver' literary tradition.[8][9]

At the 2001 census, Chinese was the most widely spoken minority language in Northern Ireland, with Shelta, Arabic and Portuguese also spoken by a significant number of people.[4] Since the census, however, an influx of people from recent EU accession states is likely to have significantly increased numbers of speakers of languages from these countries. Detailed figures on these changes are not yet available.[4]

Sports

Some team sports are played on an All-Ireland basis, while in others Northern Ireland fields its own team.

Internationally well-known sports people include:

Arts

Literature

Poetry by Robert McAdam (1808–1895) in paving, Writers' Square, Belfast

Despite its small geographical size, Northern Ireland prolifically produces internationally renowned writers and poets from a wide variety of disciplines.[22] Irish language literature was the predominant literature in the pre-Plantation period. The Ulster Cycle is pertinent to the history of literature in the territory of present-day Northern Ireland. Ulster Scots literature first followed models from Scotland, with the rhyming weavers, such as James Orr, developing an indigenous tradition of vernacular literature. Writers in the counties which now form Northern Ireland participated in the Gaelic Revival.

Visual arts

Noted visual artists from Northern Ireland include:

Performing arts

Ulster Hall, a venue for concerts and performance.

Noted actors from Northern Ireland include:

Film and television

See also Cinema of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Screen, a government agency financed by Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund, provides financial support to film and television productions in Northern Ireland. Among the works it has supported is the 2011 HBO television series Game of Thrones, which is filmed principally in Belfast's Paint Hall studios and on location elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

Belfast hosts the Belfast Film Festival and the CineMagic film festival, as well as several independent cinemas including Queen's Film Theatre and Strand Cinema.

Music

Noted musicians from Northern Ireland include:

Crafts

August Craft Month is an annual coordinated programme of events that showcase the work of craft makers in Northern Ireland and from across the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe. It is organised by Craft Northern Ireland.[23]

Songs

A traditional song of the Unionist and Loyalist communities is The Sash, which may be considered offensive or at least distasteful by the Nationalist communities, particularly when it is used to threaten or incite violence.[24][25] Unionist bands also play Christian hymns and War songs.[26] Other music played by Unionist and Loyalist bands include country and pop songs. The Regal Accordion & Saxophone band were known for playing pop songs in the era of which they came out, such as Puppet on a String and Yellow Submarine.[27]

Irish rebel music is very prominent among the Nationalist community, peaking in popularity at the height of The Troubles.

Van Morrison is an accomplished singer from Belfast. He has written several songs about places and memories in Northern Ireland including Cyprus Avenue, Coney Island, Orangefield and On Hyndford Street.[28][29] The latter of which he grew up on, a working-class Protestant street in the east of the city. He was taught by fellow Hyndford Street resident George Cassidy. Cassidy was a jazz musician who played with The Springfields. He taught him music notation and tenor saxophone lessons.[30][31] He would then practice in an alley on Hyndford Street with his first group, The Sputniks.[32] He went on to win many accolades, including an OBE, two Grammy Awards, a Knighthood and a Brit Award.[33][34][35]

Symbolism and traditions

Unionists tend to use the Union Flag and sometimes the Ulster Banner, while nationalists usually use the Flag of Ireland, or sometimes the Flag of Ulster.[36] Both sides also occasionally use the flags of secular and religious organisations they belong to. Some groups, including the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Church of Ireland use the Flag of St. Patrick as a symbol of Ireland which lacks the same nationalist or unionist connotations.[37]

The flax flower, representing the linen industry, has been used as a neutral symbol – as for the Northern Ireland Assembly.[38]

Eleventh Night bonfire, Bangor

St. Patrick's Day is an annual event celebrated by nationalists and unionists.[39]

The Eleventh Night takes place on the evening of 11 July, observed primarily in Protestant unionist and loyalist communities on the eve of The Twelfth. It is centered around the burning of bonfires, alongside community events, music and gatherings. The bonfires are commonly built from wooden pallets and other combustible materials, and in some areas are decorated with flags, banners and political symbols. The bonfire's are typically ignited at midnight, with children's bonfires being lit in the evening. The gathering for wood is a tradition known as "collecting".[40] The tradition originates from beacon fires being lit in 1690 to welcome and guide King William III.[41][42]

The Twelfth is the largest annual parade in Northern Ireland, because it consists of multiple simultaneous demonstrations held across the region, with 18 or 19 main venues.[43] The Belfast Twelfth procession remains unchanged whereas regional districts will select an Orange Lodge's town to host the Twelfth.[44] The event commemorates the anniversary of King WIlliam III in his victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.[45] It is a public holiday in Northern Ireland.[46] The bowler hat is a symbol of Orangeism.[47]

Apprentice Boys band marching in Bushmills.

The Apprentice Boys of Derry also organise commemorative events.[48][49] The big three being the Relief of Derry in August,[50] Closing of the Gates in December[51] and the Easter Monday Parade.[52]

The Royal Black Institutions two biggest demonstrations are the Royal Thirteenth and Black Saturday.[53] Marching bands accompany the preceptories and banners depict Christian artwork and holy scripture.[54]

The Maiden City Festival is an annual cultural and historical festival held in the city of Derry.[55] It takes place on the second week of August.[56] commemorates the historical events of the Siege of Derry in 1689.[57] It remembers the Apprentice Boys who shut the city gates against the approaching Jacobite army of King James II, starting a 105-day siege that was eventually relieved by the forces of William of Orange.[58] Costumed performers patrol the famous city walls, performing "Siege Tales" to bring historical figures from 1689 to life.[59] Live action reenactments take place, including firing of historic replica cannons and muskets on the walls. The city fills with the "skirl of the pipes," featuring pipe bands, drumming workshops, parading and traditional Highland dance competitions.[60]

The Belfast International Tattoo is an annual indoor event running since 2013.[61][62] It showcases a variety of musical and military marching displays. It's modeled after the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and features a wide range of performers, including pipe bands, accordion bands, highland dancers, and military marching bands locally and from around the world.[63][64]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "National Museums NI". www.nationalmuseumsni.org. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "Home - Ulster Scots Community Network". 24 January 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  3. ↑ "Ulster-Scots OCN: Spring 2026 Courses". www.ulsterscotsagency.com. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Language/Cultural Diversity: Frequently Asked Questions". Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  5. ↑ "Sign Language". Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "Paul Murphy announces recognition for sign language". Northern Ireland Office. 30 March 2004. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011. I am pleased to announce formal recognition for both British and Irish Sign Languages in Northern Ireland.
  7. ↑ "Ulster-Scots Agency - About Us". www.ulsterscotsagency.com. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  8. ↑ "Ulster-Scots Language Week". www.ulsterscotsagency.com. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "Rhyming Weavers". Blackstaff Press. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Sport Northern Ireland return £1m over last two years after underspend". BBC Sport. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  11. ↑ "Home". TeamNI. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  12. ↑ Simpson, Mark (13 January 2026). "Ulster Banner: NI Commonwealth Games team to use original flag". BBC News. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  13. ↑ "Representation of Northern Ireland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament". edm.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  14. ↑ "Timeline: Greatest moments in Northern Ireland football". BBC News. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  15. ↑ "About us". NI Football League. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  16. ↑ "Football Club History Database - Irish Cup Summary". fchd.info. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "Milk Cup – NI Community Heritage Archive". Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  18. ↑ "Member Countries". European Billiards & Snooker Association. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  19. ↑ "NI Volleyball". NI Volleyball. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  20. ↑ "International Success for Northern Ireland Dodgeball". Belfast News Letter. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  21. ↑ "Ulster Badminton - about". ulsterbadminton.com. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  22. ↑ Brearton, F. (2000). The Great War in Irish Poetry: W.B. Yeats to Louis MacNeice. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0198184713.
  23. ↑ Home | Craft Northern Ireland. Craftni.org. Retrieved on 29 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "Band members who played The Sash outside Catholic church 'broke parade conditions'". Belfast Telegraph. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  25. ↑ McDonald, Henry; Cusack, Jim (30 June 2016). "Cutting throats: Lennie Murphy and the Shankill UVF". UVF - The Endgame. Poolbeg Press. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  26. ↑ Mulgrew, John (11 June 2014). "Parades: Orange Order says bands 'will only play hymns' as they pass flashpoint outside Catholic church in Belfast". Belfast Telegraph.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ Geordie Cassidy - Grand Opera House George Cassidy, 15 May 1960, retrieved 21 May 2026
  28. ↑ Lyng, Eoghan (12 June 2022). "Exploring Van Morrison's connections to Northern Ireland". faroutmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  29. ↑ admin. "Van Morrison's top five songs about Ireland on his birthday". The Irish Post. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  30. ↑ "Celebrating Van Morrison on his 80th Birthday – Ireland's Own". www.irelandsown.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  31. ↑ "Van Morrison - Discover Brighton". 29 August 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  32. ↑ Nur, Yousif (1 October 2025). "In Search Of Van Morrison's Belfast Roots. A Fascinating Tour Of Music History". Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  33. ↑ Eyekiller (21 May 2026). "Biography | Van Morrison | Official Website". Van Morrison. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  34. ↑ "Van Morrison | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  35. ↑ "14 / 02 / 1994 - Alexandra Palace, London". www.brits.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  36. ↑ "Tricolour and Partition - The Irish Tricolour Flag and its evolution to National Flag". www.scoilnet.ie. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  37. ↑ "Ireland: St Patrick's Cross". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  38. ↑ Information Office, Northern Ireland Assembly (12 January 1999). "Information on Logo, Northern Ireland Assembly". archive.niassembly.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  39. ↑ "Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland | Fraternal Organisation | Belfast". Orange Order. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  40. ↑ "Police warn parents Derry bonfire collectors could end up with criminal record". Derry Journal. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  41. ↑ "The Twelfth: Why are bonfires lit in Northern Ireland?". BBC News. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  42. ↑ "Eleventh night bonfires lit across Northern Ireland". BBC News. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  43. ↑ "Twelfth 2026 details confirmed as Orange Order list arrangements for all 18 main parades (plus Rossnowlagh march)". Belfast News Letter. 5 June 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Twelfth of July in Northern Ireland | Parades, Traditions & Family Events". discovernorthernireland.com. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  45. ↑ "Why do Orangemen march? The Twelfth of July explained". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  46. ↑ Moore, Cormac (13 August 2024). "Make Twelfth A Bank Holiday – On This Day in 1924". The Irish News. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  47. ↑ "CAIN: Symbols - Unionist and Loyalist". cain.ulster.ac.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  48. ↑ Kaufmann, Eric P (17 May 2007). The Orange Order. Oxford University PressOxford. ISBN 978-0-19-920848-7.
  49. ↑ Edwards, Jennifer; Knottnerus, J. David (February 2010). "The Orange Order: Parades, other Rituals, and Their Outcomes". Sociological Focus. 43 (1): 1–23. doi:10.1080/00380237.2010.10571366. ISSN 0038-0237.
  50. ↑ Swann, Gabrielle (9 August 2025). "Apprentice Boys hail 'outstanding day' on 336th Anniversary of the Relief of Derry". Belfast Telegraph.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  51. ↑ "Londonderry: Apprentice Boys' parade underway in Derry". BBC News. 6 December 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  52. ↑ "Apprentice Boys gearing up for Easter Monday province-wide extravaganza with a couple of dozen parades scheduled". Belfast News Letter. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  53. ↑ "Royal Black Institution holds 2025 Last Saturday parades". BBC News. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  54. ↑ "The Royal Black Institution » Our History". Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  55. ↑ "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 7 Jun 2004 (pt 36)". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  56. ↑ "26th Annual Maiden City Festival gets underway this weekend". Derry Now. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  57. ↑ "Apprentice Boys: 'Wear crimson with pride' message ahead of Londonderry parade, as Maiden City Festival success praised". Belfast News Letter. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  58. ↑ "SAOIRSE32  :: Irish Republican Information Service (no. 159) :: July :: 2008". saoirse32.blogsome.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  59. ↑ "Maiden City Festival called off". 18 July 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  60. ↑ "Apprentice Boys parade to climax Maiden City Festival". Belfast News Letter. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  61. ↑ "2018 Belfast Tattoo dates announced". Belfast News Letter. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  62. ↑ "Who We Are". Belfast International Tattoo. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  63. ↑ Mann, Scott (5 September 2024). "Two Co Armagh accordion bands to take to stage this weekend at Belfast International Tattoo". Armagh I. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  64. ↑ "Erne Highland Dancers to shine at Belfast International Tattoo". Impartial Reporter. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
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