I am full blooded Irish (Both sets of Grandparents immigrated here) and I can tell you what I have expeirenced.
We are Catholic Irish. There are also Protestant Irish. The two generally don't get on well.
Also- tradition and new baby- When I got married, my grandmother gave me an Irish lace handkerchief. I tied it to my bouquet. She told me to hold onto it. When my son was born she asked for it back and pulled one of the ribbons and it turned into a bonnet for my new born son. It was her wedding handkerchief as well.
She also put a penny in my shoe for luck.
A lot of Irish couple will have their wrist bound with ribbon during the ceremony, by the minister, or the father. This goes back centuries, when that tie meant they were married at that point. But we dind't do that.
oh, here's a site as well http://www.yourirish.com/traditions-in-ireland.htm
