| Learn the local customs of Ireland. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Ireland locals. Map |
 | Ireland Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 214 |  |
 The smoking bus .... by kymbanm
Here at JF's, there was a lot of controversy about the 'smoking bus'. They felt they were within the law, as employees did not enter the bus when customers were present - this was treated like a covered porch for the smoking customers. Of course, those who supported the smoking ban were fighting this little loop hole :)
The bus was locked up when we were there. I was told that since it wasn't that busy, or cold, on that night, I wasn't worth opening it up for use - employees still have to go in after it's closed to clean it :) Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Ireland?
Read reviews about Ireland Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Dublin ash can ... by kymbanm
In the Temple Bar district, I began to notice signs on the ash cans attached to the walls of the businesses. (They are hilarious, though this is the only one I got a picture of ...) I have to say, I found this particular statement quite true :) Leave a Comment
|
 Ancient Seat by scottishvisitor
The stone throne is said to be the crowning place of Irish Kings - nothing about Queens - but took a seat anyway... Leave a Comment
|
 Missy w/ Howth Lighthouse by kymbanm
A plaque commeorating this event can be found by the old Howth lighthouse, which now appears to be a rental home. The newer lighthouse is located further out on the promotory, and provides a wonderful view of the sea from it's base.
Take the DART and get off at the Howth station. Turn left from there to reach the harbor, and look for the lighthouse .... Leave a Comment
|
It's obvious that when you go to Ireland you must visit pubs. So we did and enjoyed it really much. My first encounter with Guinness was not very encouraging - I simply didn't like it. But my friends' son told us in Dublin at the very beginning of our trip: "Wait till you go to a traditional pub with live music somewhere in the west and you'll see that Guinness tastes great". He was right - with time I got to like Guiness quite much, although I would probably place Murphy's on the first position.
But beer is only a kind of extra attraction to pubs; their essence is the unique atmosphere, especially on days when live music is played. At first I thought it was impossible that so many people could get inside: with all seats taken and several times as many people standing, new guests were still coming in and nobody seemed to mind it. When I looked around I was surprised that both elderly people and very young ones were having a great time singing and clapping their hands. It was not like a show though, everybody could join in and the musicians invited guests to sing to a microphone with their accompaniment. When we were in Sligo an American boy who was just to marry an Irish girl decided to sing a song for his fiancee and then people congratulated them and admired the engagement ring.
I also loved the decor of most pubs and always tried to read the 'words of wisdom' and witty poems displayed on the walls. Here's the funny one which, I think, reflects the nature of the Irish quite well.
When I'm in a sober mood
I worry, work and think.
When I'm in a drunken mood
I gamble, play and drink.
But when my moods are over
And my time has come to pass
I hope I'm burried upside down
So the world may kiss my ass. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Ireland?
Read reviews about Ireland Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Kissing the "Blarney-Stone" is an old tradition in Ireland and lots of tourists spread the word about it to all parts of the world, so this crazy custom is still going on ! May I tell you a secret ? Its much more fun to watch it than to do it !!!
According to an old ledgends there is a magic stone on top of the castle, and who-ever kisses it, will get the gift of eloquence.
"Blarney" is also an expression used for words that are used by someone in order to achieve something, without really meaning to do what he had promised.
Queen Elisabeth I tried to force Lord Blarney to acknowledge her officially but Lord Blarney used a thousands words in order to avoid that...
The Queen finally shouted : "That is all Blarney, what he says, he does not mean!!".
Kissing the Blarney-stone is in fact not really easy : At first you have to step up to the very top of the castle, lay back, while a strong man will hold your feet. You have to bend backwards and kiss the stone that is a part of the stone-fence outside of the castle-brim. There is an iron-fence in order to make sure, you will not fall down, but of course you belongings - glasses, hat ect. may do so - see my pictures !!
I have not done it myself, and psst, don't tell anyone : watching that scenery is a lot better than doing it yourself !! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
In Ireland the catholic religion plays an important role all over the country and obviously it was quite easy to "transform" the old celtic folks into good and faithful christians, simply because the christian monks did not forbid to pray to the traditional celtic gods, but rather mixed local celtic gods with christian saints...
I found this very special place on my way from Donegal to Glencombcille. It is just a well under a bridge, with a small sculpture of a celtic "water-god" with a christian rosary and donations by faithful pilgrims and locals.
You may enlarge my picture and see the well on the right Leave a Comment
|
 Irland, local custom by nipper1Leave a Comment
|
 by globetrott
Close to the sculpture there is a museum about James Joyce.
As you may see on my picture, it is quite usual for people in Ireland to sit on the basement of such monuments in the street and take a rest or a picknick, so it is hard to get a picture of just the sculpture :-((
Every year at "Bloomsday", (june 16th) fans of James Joyce meet in order to visit all the places that Leopold Bloom, main character of the novel Ulysses had visited in that book. Leave a Comment
|
|
|
