IRISH CULTURE Shannon Haskett RN BSN Jacksonville State

IRISH CULTURE Shannon Haskett, RN, BSN Jacksonville State University NU 542

OBJECTIVE v Presentation will discuss aspects of the Irish culture. Upon reading this presentation, the reader will have a better understanding of the Irish culture and how to perform culturally competent care.

TABLE OF CONTENTS v. Irish Overview v. Communication v The Family Roles and Organization v. Workforce Issues v. Bio-cultural Ecology v. High-Risk Behaviors v. Nutrition v. Pregnancy and Childbearing Practices v. Death Rituals v. Spirituality v. Health Care Practices/Providers

IRISH OVERVIEW v. The Irish culture originates in the country of Ireland located in western Europe. v. The country of Ireland is about 70, 286 square kilometers. v. Natural resources found in Ireland are zinc, lead, natural gas barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, and silver. v. The weather consists of mild winters, cool summers, constant humidity, and the sky is overcast. v. Ireland is known as the “Emerald Isle” because of the green country side. (Culture Projects)

IRISH OVERVIEW v Ireland’s government consists of a president, a prime minister, and a parliament. v. The government is based on the Irish Constitution of 1937. v. The capitol and the largest city in Ireland is Dublin. v. The major religions of the Irish culture are Roman Catholic and Anglican Church. (Culture Projects)

COMMUNICATION v The Irish language is made up of Gaelic or Irish Gaelic English (Kwintessentials). v The language is rooted in a Celtic folk tradition of storytelling (Purnell, 2013, p. 469). v Emotions and affections are a private manner and should not be shown in a public area (p. 469). v. Irish people like to have humor and tease others as expressions of affection in a public area (p. 469). v. Wit and humor in the Irish culture is also called “the craic” (Kwintessentials). v. The Gaelic language does not have “yes” or “no” in the vocabulary so these words are indirectly implied by using non-verbal communication or indirect statements (Kwintessentials).

COMMUNICATION v Irish people greet others with a handshake or a greeting appropriate for the time of day. v. Irish people do not believe in giving expensive gifts, but personal ones instead. v. Flowers can be given to others, but lilies cannot be given to others because they are used for religious festivities. v Irish people are punctual and expect others to arrive to things on time. v Irish people are casual and use first names. v. They like modesty and do not like loud talking or bragging. v. They avoid conflict or confrontation. (Kwintessentials)

FAMILY ROLES AND ORGANIZATION v Loyalty and kinship are important aspects of the Irish culture. v. They raise their children to be independent and self-reliant. v. Boys are more aggressive than girls. v. Girls are respectable, responsible, and resilient. v Children are taught to be respectful towards parents and elders. (Purnell, 2013, p. 469)

FAMILY ROLES AND ORGANIZATION v Monogamous marriages are the norm in Ireland. v. Divorce has been legal in Ireland since 1995. v. The last names of children are their father’s surnames and their first name is adopted from a respected ancestor. v. All children have legal rights to inheritance. (Countries and Their Cultures, 2015)

WORKFORC E ISSUES v In American, Irish immigrants have made their place in the workforce and fit into any occupation (p. 469). v. Industry accounts for 38% of gross domestic products (Countries and Their Cultures, 2015). v. Ireland is considered an agriculture country (2015). v. Poverty exists in the farming occupation with small-holdings or poor land mostly in the west and south of Ireland (2015). v. The main industries in Ireland are food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, and pharmaceuticals (2015).

v. Farm production is performed more by Irish men. v. Agriculture production in a domestic household such as raising eggs or making honey is performed by Irish women. v. Most blue-collar jobs have been occupied by men, but women have increasingly entered the workforce occupying these jobs. v. Women work mostly in tourism, sales, and information or financial services. v. Wages and salaries are lower for women employees. v. In certain professions, there age or gender restrictions. (Countries and Their Cultures, 2015) WORKFO RCE ISSUES

BIO-CULTURAL ECOLOGY v. Irish people are either dark-haired and fair-skinned or have red-headed characteristics (p. 469). v. Irish people have fair complexions and are at higher risk for skin cancer (p. 469). v. Irish people have an increase chance of carrying the gene mutation for hemochromatosis (City Link Online). v. Irish people are at high risk for celiac disease. v. Irish people are also at high risk for phenylketonuria (PKU), neural tube defects, and alcoholism (p. 469). v. Irish people are at risk for liver disease due to alcoholism.

HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS v. The high-risk behavior practiced the most by Irish people is drinking alcohol (p. 469). v. The percentage of alcoholism in Ireland, U. S. , and England are the same, but the Irish have more behavior problems when drinking (p. 469). v. Irish people use drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism (p. 469). v. Irish people do not eat healthy or well-balanced diets. v. Drug addiction exists with unemployed people living in the big city (O’Dwyer). v. Sharing needles for IV drug abuse is more commonly seen in Irish women (O’Dwyer).

NUTRITION v. Irish people focus on the consumption of meat, cereals, bread, and potatoes (2015). v. Irish people are favorable to vegetables such as cabbage, turnips, broccoli, and carrots to go with their meat and potatoes (2015). v. Irish people eat four meals a day. v. Roasts or stews of lamb, beef, chicken, ham, pork, and turkey are traditional meals (2015).

NUTRITION v. Irish people are also favorable of salmon and prawns (2015). v. Most businesses are closed at dinner hour (between 1 pm and 2 pm) for employees to go home and eat dinner, then return back to work (2015). v. There has been an increased incidence of Irish people eating take-out, frozen meals, processed foods, or ethnic meals (2015). v. Socializing meals consist of wheaten breads, sausages, and bacon (2015). v. Socializing beverages consist of the national beer or Irish whiskey (2015).

PREGNANCY Taboo Behaviors and Beliefs v. Irish women believe not eating a healthy, well-balance diet can cause a newborn to be deformed (p. 469). v. The mother should not reach over head during pregnancy because the baby’s cord may wrap around its neck (p. 469). v. If a pregnant woman sees or experiences a tragedy during pregnancy, a congenital anomaly can occur (p. 469). v. Pregnant should never enter a graveyard because the fetus will be robbed of nourishment and die or be born weak (Traditional Health Beliefs).

PREGNANCY Taboo Beliefs and Behaviors v. Crossing paths with a cat may result in the baby’s soul to be taken. v. Seeing a rabbit while pregnant can cause the baby to be “hare-lip”. v. A pregnant woman can dangle a string to her wedding ring and dangle it over her stomach to determine the sex of the baby. v. Holding a rosary or a saint’s medal can ease the pain through childbirth. (Traditional Health Beliefs)

CHILDBEARING PRACTICES v. Spiritual upbringing is important than physical upbringing (Traditional Health Beliefs). v. God parent selections is very important and must be done before the baby is born (Traditional Health Beliefs). v. Men are involved in childbirth. v. Most women give birth in a hospital setting, but some still birth at home with a mid-wife. v. Breast feeding is encouraged. v. Mothers must have a high intake of vegetables and meats. (Traditional Health Beliefs)

CHILDBEARING PRACTICES v. Consuming warm milk with cinnamon can relax the mother and child. v. Onions and spicy foods need to be avoided while breastfeeding because of the belief it causes colic and tempers. v. The rocking of an empty rocking chair brings bad luck to the mother and infant. v. Visitors are not allowed for the first month of an infant’s life. v. Babies are baptized twice. (Traditional Health Beliefs)

DEATH RITUALS v. Irish people are fatalist and know the inevitability of death (p. 469). v. Irish people believe family members should stay with a dying family member (p. 469). v. Irish people hold wakes for the death of a loved one (p. 469). v. White flowers are used for funerals (Kwintessential). v. A female spirit, the “bean si” (banshee), is heard to announce by wailing the impending death of a family member (Customs of Ireland).

DEATH RITUALS v. Mourners are to keep watch over the dead until they are buried. v. Wake obsare to visit the room where the corpse lays and say a prayer and compliment the physical ervers appearance of the body. v. The bed where the corpse lays has a crucifix and candles surrounding it. v. The bed is covered in well laundered linen. v. Two women wash and lay out the dead for the wake. v. Funerals are also sometimes held to give people who could not attend the wake an opportunity to show their respect for the dead. (Customs of Ireland)

SPIRITUALITY v. The predominant religion of Ireland is Catholicism (p. 469). v. Religions such as Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodists, Jewish, and other folk religions are also seen in the Irish culture (Culture of Ireland). v. When a person is ill, Irish Catholics receive the Sacrament of the Sick (p. 469). v. Irish Catholics pray individually and privately (p. 469). v. When a patient wants to pray, they must be provided privacy (p. 470). v. Irish Americans wear religious medals to achieve and maintain

SPIRITUALITY v. Ireland consists of many holy places or shrines for religious people to attend. v St. Patrick’s Day is a national Irish holiday celebrated on March 17 th of each year. v. St. Patrick is Ireland’s saint. v. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by feasts, church services, and a parade (Culture Projects). v. Easter is celebrated with church services and family meals (Culture Projects).

HEALTHCARE PRACTICES AND PROVIDERS v. Irish American use denial as a way of coping with health problems (p. 470). v. Irish people limit and understate symptoms (p. 470). v. They believe illness-behavior does not relieve suffering (p. 470). v. Irish people believe illness or injury is a result of guilt or wrong-doing in the past (p. 470). v. Irish people are stoic when it comes to pain (p. 470).

HEALTHCARE PRACTICES AND PROVIDERS v. Nuclear family members are consulted first about an illness (p. 470). v. The elder female in the family is the family member who is known to possess the most knowledge of folk practices (p. 470). v. If home remedies do not work, Irish people will seek professional health care providers (p. 470).

CONCLUSION An Irish person’s way of life revolved around their family and their religion. They are much like Americans in the food they eat, they way they look, and their behaviors. Certain aspects about them are important to remember when providing care to them. Irish people are private people who do not seek health care unless they absolutely have to. Making sure an Irish person is comfortable in the hospital setting and their pain levels are achieved can help an Irish person heal. A culturally competent health care provider must form a trusting relationship with the patient and family to be able to better diagnose and treat them.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Your patient is an seventy year old Irish male named Mr. O’Rear who is post-op day three from having CABG. Knowing the Irish culture is stoic when it comes to pain or suffering, how would you assess his pain? 2. Mr. O’Rear stated during admission prior to his CABG he goes to the pub and drinks five beers everyday and then goes home and drinks four shots of Irish whiskey before bedtime. What can you teach him about alcohol use and coronary artery disease post CABG? 3. Mr. O’Rear is on a strict cardiac diet while in the hospital meaning he is on fat, fluid, and sodium restrictions. Mr. O’Rear is used to eating high fat and high sodium meals at home mostly made up of fatty meats and carbs. When his meals come he complains to the nurse about his restrictions and what food he actually wants. How can you as the advanced practice nurse educator teach him about his new dietary restrictions and how important compliance is with a heart healthy diet post CABG? How can his previous

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