Rambling house groups are experiencing a revival in popularity in rural areas of the country where there are fewer social outlets than in times past.

That’s according to Tipperary’s Peter Byrne, who recently compiled a Rambling Houses book to document the characters and the history associated with what he considers a unique part of Irish culture.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal at the Ploughing, Peter said the idea behind the groups is to bring people together like the rambling houses of the past.

“They sing, play music, get up and dance or tell stories or jokes or yarns. In some parts of the country, they are called singing circles, but they are essentially the same thing.

A lot of the “older generation” people in their 60s, 70s and up come along to the rambling house events like the one he runs in Clonmore, between Roscrea and Templemore on the third Monday of the month, as a way of meeting people.

“It’s a great social occasion. People get to know one another and they [the groups] become a community in themselves.”

Reflecting on why there is a revival in groups nationwide, Peter suggests that it may be due to "people thinking back to their childhood when the rambling house tradition was an important thing. It may also be the lack of other activities or ways to meet in rural Ireland now”.

Either way, he believes it’s a tradition worth documenting and celebrating, and that’s how his book came about.

“I think it’s important to record the culture of the rambling house and what it means to Irish people. Years ago in rural Ireland, when people had a threshing, at the end of the day people would call, and they would finish up the day singing or playing a bit of music. Now, it has revived, and they are generally held in pubs, community centres or people’s own homes. I wanted to record all of that and the wonderful people who give of their talents.

The other reason for the book was to raise funds for Age Friendly Roscrea and the Tipperary branch of Parkinson's Ireland.

“So far we have raised €13,000 for the two charities, and we now have a second print run of the book,” adds Peter, who says it is available in outlets across Tipperary, Laois and Offaly. You can also purchase the book from him directly by contacting 086 2569790.

With more younger people coming on board with grandparents and relatives, Peter is optimistic that the rambling house tradition will stay alive in the future.

For him, the tradition and the groups are all about social connection, and that is vital in rural areas.

“On the back of the book I wrote a piece about friendship, and that’s what people identified as the most important thing about the rambling house group. It’s the friendship with other people. There’s a break at each rambling house for a drink or a cup of tea, and people get a chance to chat. That’s really what it is – great community spirit,” he concludes.