If you were to ask somebody from the UK which city outside of the island of Ireland is the most culturally Irish, you would likely get a couple of primary answers. Liverpool is everyone’s favourite to mention, with its high levels of Irish immigration certainly being widely felt in the city. Then, you would likely have someone mentioning London, with swathes of the city influenced by Irish construction workers for centuries.
Glasgow deserves to be in contention for that spot, though. South of the border, most wouldn’t even think to name it as a city with a strong Irish contingent, perhaps because they see the Scottish identity as such a robust one itself. However, our city owes so much to its neighbour culturally, and a day spent in it can sometimes feel as if you have been transported across the Irish Sea.
From football to food, and music to literature, Glasgow owes so much to Ireland. The culture of the island is reflected throughout the way residents of the city lead their lives, whether at work or play. So how exactly are these two Celtic nations connected, especially in ways that may not be the most obvious to an outside observer?
Pastimes and Leisure With Irish Roots and Symbolism
One of the primary areas where the Irish influence in Glasgow can be felt is in the recreational activities we enjoy. The Irish bar is a staple of Glasgow nightlife, for example. Kitty O’Shea’s, Malone’s, and Connolly’s are some of the top choices for both people living in the city and those visiting from further afield, and it’s difficult to avoid ending up in a themed pub like this.
Then, there are some less obvious examples of leisure. For example, casino gaming is popular in the city, with four major venues. That has translated online, too, with the iGaming industry becoming an increasingly popular pastime. Take a look at Karamba casino in the UK, and some of the most popular slot games are Irish-themed, such as Luck of the Irish and 12 Pots of Gold.
You can’t escape the Irish influence when it comes to nightlife and leisure, as there has been so much cross-pollination, leading to a sense of ubiquity in how we enjoy ourselves. Even the recent boom in the popularity of Irish drinks like Guinness and Jameson whiskey across the city, despite many homegrown options, points to an Éire-infused leisure time.
An Enriched Cultural Landscape Across Glasgow
Outside of leisure, but with some obvious crossover, culturally, it’s difficult to avoid the influence of our neighbouring island. Traditional Irish music can sometimes be seen as similar to traditional folk from Scotland, but it certainly has its very own unique identity. And it’s one that you can find all over the city, with generations keeping it alive by passing it down to new listeners.
Barrowlands is also regularly home to Irish acts, with names like Fontaines D.C. and Kneecap having played there in recent years. Just this year, traditional folk band The Mary Wallopers were announced to have booked five nights at the esteemed venue. According to the Daily Record, the band described it as their “favourite venue”, showing just how close the connection is.
Additionally, you have the cèilidh or céilí that remains an important part of formal Scottish celebrations. These dances are held in both countries and, while traditionally not belonging to one in particular, there are very clear influences from both sides of the sea. That they are still celebrated at all is a testament to the strength of the shared cultures.
Ireland’s Most Successful Football Club Sits in Glasgow
Now, it’s the most obvious way that Ireland has influenced this great city. Celtic is one of Europe’s most iconic football clubs. The first British team to win the European Cup, they’re one of its most successful, too. Founded by Irish immigrants in 1887, it is a beacon of the country’s identity and its legacy in Scotland. To this day, it is seen as representing Ireland on the footballing stage, even though it is not based in the country.
Ask any Irish football fan which team – or teams – they support, and there will be one that unifies them all. Celtic. Every home game sees thousands flying out from Dublin and Cork to come to Paradise and share in a cultural identity that can’t be found anywhere else on this island. Without it, Glasgow would be a much less vibrant city and would be much worse off for it.