An Tóstal
Encyclopedia
An Tóstal was the name for a series of festivals held in Ireland
in the 20th Century. Inaugurated in 1953 as a celebration of Irish life, it continued on until 1958 when it died out.
The original purpose of the festival was a celebration of Irish culture
, with an emphasis upon drawing tourists into the country during the Easter
off-season. It was marked by a series of regional parades, arts and sporting events. Many towns began a clean-up plan, thus starting off the National Tidy Town Awards
, which is running still in Ireland. In 1953, a set of commemorative stamps
were issued by the Irish Post Office.
Chess Competitions were held as part of An Tóstal by the Irish Chess Union
from 1954 to 1957.
In recent times, an effort has been made to revive the Tóstal and some Irish towns, notably Drumshanbo
, are now celebrating the Tóstal again.
At the University of Notre Dame
and Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
, the festival dubbed "Antostal" celebrates the last full week of classes of the academic year. The events often include competitions, sporting events, concerts and other various performances.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the 20th Century. Inaugurated in 1953 as a celebration of Irish life, it continued on until 1958 when it died out.
Culture of Ireland
This article is about the modern culture of Ireland and the Irish people. It includes customs and traditions, language, music, art, literature, folklore, cuisine and sport associated with Ireland and Irish people today. However, the culture of the people living in Ireland is not homogeneous...
, with an emphasis upon drawing tourists into the country during the Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
off-season. It was marked by a series of regional parades, arts and sporting events. Many towns began a clean-up plan, thus starting off the National Tidy Town Awards
National Tidy Town Awards
May refer to:*Australian Tidy Town Awards*Tidy Towns *Newfoundland and Labrador Tidy Towns Competition...
, which is running still in Ireland. In 1953, a set of commemorative stamps
Postage stamps of Ireland
The postage stamps of Ireland are issued by the postal operator of the independent Irish state. Ireland was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland when the world's first postage stamps were issued in 1840. These stamps, and all subsequent British issues, were used in Ireland until...
were issued by the Irish Post Office.
Chess Competitions were held as part of An Tóstal by the Irish Chess Union
Irish Chess Union
The Irish Chess Union , formed in 1912, is the governing body for chess in Ireland and a member of FIDE since 1933 and the European Chess Union. The ICU promotes Chess in the Republic of Ireland and maintains the chess rating for players in the Republic of Ireland, which are published three times a...
from 1954 to 1957.
In recent times, an effort has been made to revive the Tóstal and some Irish towns, notably Drumshanbo
Drumshanbo
Drumshanbo is a small town situated in the heart of County Leitrim, Ireland. The town takes its name from the Irish, Druim-Sean-Bhoth or "Ridge of the old huts". Drumshanbo is surrounded by a scenic area of soft rolling hills, woodlands, lakes and the Sliabh an Iarainn and Arigna mountains...
, are now celebrating the Tóstal again.
At the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It is located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community northeast of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States — as are the University of Notre Dame and Holy...
, the festival dubbed "Antostal" celebrates the last full week of classes of the academic year. The events often include competitions, sporting events, concerts and other various performances.
External links
- An Tostal Festival - Drumshanbo
- Article re. Tostal 1953 - workersliberty.org
- Oireachtas debate from 1953 re. meaning of 'Tóstal'
- Seoighe Inish BearachainSeoighe Inish BearachainSeoighe Inish Bearachain was a name used for three Joyce cousins, John Bhabín Seoighe, Martín Coilín Seoighe and John William Seoighe who came from the island of Inis Bearachain, Lettermore, in Connemara in County Galway, Ireland. Both John Martín and Martín Cóilín were born on the island of...