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Ancient Irish Wedding Traditions

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Irish Wedding Couple Silhouette
Irish Wedding Couple Silhouette

When we think of Irish wedding traditions, we often think of things that became established in the last few hundred years. But what about Irish weddings further back? What was marriage in Ireland like before British colonialism? Given the enduring popularity of Irish gifts featuring designs from our oldest known artifacts and monuments, it’s worth asking how our ancestors got married and what marriage meant to them.

Brehon law endured for more than ten centuries. It’s difficult to say exactly when it started, but it was first written down in the 7th century AD, and despite efforts to impose English law beginning in the 12th century, it survived in many parts of the country until the 17th century.

Couple married with Irish Wedding Tradition

The word ‘brehon’ refers to the people who interpreted and applied the law. Their role was somewhere between judge and arbitrator. But the people had tremendous respect for the law, and the brehon’s decisions were honored.

Marriage was a far more complicated, nuanced and egalitarian affair than it was under English common law. There were various forms of marriage, including one-year trial marriages, and divorce was easy. Women owned their own property, and each party took with them what they brought to the marriage if it ended. For the ancient Irish gifts were part of the big day, but in a very different way. The husband-to-be gave gifts to the bride’s father such as cattle or gold.

Irish Wedding Rings
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How the Ancient Irish Got Hitched

Weddings were an occasion for ritual, celebration and Irish gifts then as now, but the details were different. In pre-Christian Ireland, the marriage ceremony involved a rite called handfasting.

Obviously, we don’t have anyone’s wedding photos or video from those ancient times! But we do have enough information to know that the ceremony was pretty similar to modern weddings. The couple stood before a celebrant, surrounded by family, friends and community. The couple joined hands, and the celebrant wrapped a cord or ribbon loosely around their hands. This symbolized their commitment to remain joined – either for the pre-agreed duration of their marriage or for eternity.

Irish Wedding Tradition - Handfasting
Irish Wedding Tradition - Handfasting

If you want to incorporate handfasting in your own wedding, you can do it many different ways. But be sure to use a cord or ribbon that’s long enough; you can even use a strip of Irish lace. Do practice before your ceremony so you find a technique that is simple and looks good. You want to tie the knot, but not become ensnared in front of your guests.

Tying the Knot with Celtic Knotwork

A Celtic knotwork motif for your wedding not only works well with handfasting, it brings another layer of symbolism confirming your commitment. While the ancients might have sometimes married temporarily, Celtic knots symbolize eternity because they have no beginning or end.

That’s why Celtic knotwork is such a meaningful design for Irish wedding bands and engagement rings. It’s a symbol that deepens the meaning of any Irish gifts, but is especially powerful for couples and families.   

Celtic Wedding Bands
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