Irish Culture

By showcasing Ireland's rich cultural heritage, we can reap long-term positive benefits for Ireland's reputation and its relationship with the people of Russia. We aim to promote Irish culture in a variety of ways and in cooperation with a number of organisations both at home and abroad.

Piano concert at the Embassy of Ireland, Moscow performed by Fingin Collins

The level of Russian interest in Irish culture is extraordinary, and goes back several centuries. The work of Thomas Moore is well known in Russia, particularly in St. Petersburg. Irish literature, particularly the work of Shaw, Wilde, Yeats and Joyce, is well-known to the widely-read Russian public. A statue of James Joyce stands in the grounds of the State Library for Foreign Literature in Moscow. Irish composer John Field spent much of his life in Moscow and died here in 1837. His compositions remain popular, and are widely regarded as having influenced some of Russia’s best classical pianists and musicians.

The sculpture of famous Irish pianist, composer, and teacher – John Field, who resided in Russia, located in the Embassy

There is a strong interest in Irish traditional music in Russia, with Irish musicians who frequently travelled to perform gigs in Moscow and elsewhere. Irish dancing is also extremely popular, with the Moscow Feis regularly hosting upwards of 750 dancers at its annual competition in Moscow. There are also various links in the educational field, with Irish language and Irish studies courses being provided at Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Voronezh Universities.