Ireland Local Customs

  A trio of 'Little People'
by suvanki
 
  • A trio of 'Little People'
      A trio of 'Little People'
    by suvanki
  • A headless leprechaun!
      A headless leprechaun!
    by suvanki
  • Cheering us all on...
      Cheering us all on...
    by suvanki
  •   Literary Dublin
    by jo104
  • Jo hatching with a Paddys
      Jo hatching with a Paddys
    by jo104
 

Most Viewed Local Customs in Ireland

151.

Drinking   Dublin

Drinking, Dublin

 37 Reviews  There is a famous saying that god created alcohol so that the Irish won’t take over the world. Indeed, some of the most popular sights in Ireland are alcohol-related such as Whiskey tasting or a visit... 

 See All 206 Local Customs in Dublin

152.

Irish language   Cork

Irish language, Cork

 3 Reviews  Irish people promote the use of Irish Gaelic, which they call simply Irish, in all areas of life. Dual street names are just one sign of this, but there are also Irish names of pubs, signposts in both... 

 See All 35 Local Customs in Cork

153.

Smoking.   Galway

Smoking., Galway

 1 Review  Basically, you can't smoke in any 'workplace'. So that includes pubs, cafes and restaurants. Some pubs have set up smoking areas outside, and you can smoke at cafe tables on the pavement. I liked the... 

 See All 16 Local Customs in Galway

154.

General Information   Waterford

General Information, Waterford

 2 Reviews  Smirting is a combination of the words smoking + flirting, geddit? It started when people had to go out for a ciggie after the ban was enforced, and got chatting to fellow smokers outside on the... 

 See All 10 Local Customs in Waterford

155.

Hurling   Kilkenny

Hurling, Kilkenny

 2 Reviews  Hurling is an ancient Gaelic sports and very popular in Ireland. We happened to be in Kilkenny two days before an important hurling match. It was the “All-Ireland Championship”, where Kilkenny and... 

 See All 9 Local Customs in Kilkenny

156.

Gaelic language   Sligo

Gaelic language, Sligo

 1 Review  Ireland has a strong gaelic culture. To promote the irish gaelic language, most roadsigns are bilingual: english and irish gaelic. The irish gaelic language is usually known just as irish. The photo... 

 See All 4 Local Customs in Sligo

157.

Food Festival   Kinsale

Food Festival, Kinsale

 1 Review  The Kinsale Gourmet Festival held every October is by now world-famous. All the best restaurants and chefs showcase their talents.As Kinsale is twinned with Antibes in France and Newport in Rhode... 

 See All 8 Local Customs in Kinsale

158.

Language   Dingle

Language, Dingle

 3 Reviews  Dingle is in the Gaeltacht area of Ireland, which means it is an Irish speaking area (Don't worry, they speak English aswell). Simple words like Conás ata Tú (Pronnounced con-as-a-ta-tu) which means... 

 See All 5 Local Customs in Dingle

159.

The Rose of Tralee   Tralee

The Rose of Tralee, Tralee

 1 Review  Tralee : The Rose of Tralee festival takes place every August. The basic legend was immortalised in song . A young woman is nominated to represent her city/region every year and the event is televised... 

 See All 5 Local Customs in Tralee

160.

Newgrange   Drogheda

Newgrange, Drogheda

 1 Review  Not that far from Drogheda you can find Newgrange, a unique stone aged tomb. The great megalithic tomb at Newgrange is over 5,500 years old. Their survival through more than 5,500 years reflects the... 

 See All 1 Local Customs in Drogheda

161.

Language   Derry

Language, Derry

 1 Review  Language - or more to the point Derry lingo can be a bit of a communication barrier sometimes. Derry people do not speak normal English!! And they talk fast which really doesn't help matters. I was... 

 See All 2 Local Customs in Derry

162.

Famine Houses   County Clare

Famine Houses, County Clare

 2 Reviews  The Great Famine in Ireland lasted from 1845-1852 during which approximately 1 million people died and more than 1 million more emigrated to other countries. Although many factors contributed to the... 

 See All 9 Local Customs in County Clare

163.

General Information about Dublin   Dublin

General Information about Dublin, Dublin

 26 Reviews  Smirting is a combination of the words smoking + flirting, geddit? It started when people had to go out for a ciggie after the ban was enforced, and got chatting to fellow smokers outside on the... 

 See All 206 Local Customs in Dublin

164.

Local Drink   Cork

Local Drink, Cork

 3 Reviews  Beamish is Corks other stout that is still brewed in the city. I enjoyed a pint at Cork Opera House during our VT Taste of Cork meet. (I must confess that Beamish is my least favourite stout when... 

 See All 35 Local Customs in Cork

165.

Reginald's Tower   Waterford

Reginald's Tower, Waterford

 1 Review  Check out Reginald's Tower. The tower dates from the late twelfth century and is the most historic urban monument in Ireland. The heritage museum houses two collections; artefacts from the Viking and... 

 See All 10 Local Customs in Waterford

166.

Cat's Laughs Festival   Kilkenny

Cat's Laughs Festival, Kilkenny

 1 Review  Every June bank holiday, Murphys brewery sponsor a comedy festival in Kilkenny, attracting top comedians from all over the British isles and even some Americans like Dan Castellata (the guy who does... 

 See All 9 Local Customs in Kilkenny

167.

W.B.Yeats   Sligo

W.B.Yeats, Sligo

 1 Review   The Wild Swans At Coole by W.B.Yeats. THE trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry, Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky; Upon the brimming water... 

 See All 4 Local Customs in Sligo

168.

Matchmaking Festival   County Clare

Matchmaking Festival, County Clare

 2 Reviews  Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking festival takes place annually in September in the town of Lisdoonvarna. It goes back a long time and was a way for the local single farmers to come to town and find a wife.... 

 See All 9 Local Customs in County Clare

169.

Irish language   Dublin

Irish language, Dublin

 10 Reviews  The notorious 1980s bronze monument to the personified river Liffey, Anna Livia, was removed from nearby on O'Connell St. A woman sitting on a slope with bubbling water running down past her... 

 See All 206 Local Customs in Dublin

170.

Gaelic Language   Waterford

Gaelic Language, Waterford

 1 Review  Ireland has a strong gaelic culture. To promote the irish gaelic language, most roadsigns are bilingual: english and irish gaelic. The irish gaelic language is usually known just as irish. The photo... 

 See All 10 Local Customs in Waterford

171.

History   Kilkenny

History, Kilkenny

 1 Review  When you're in Kilkenny, this would apply to Waterford too, you will probably see lots of references to 'Ormond', like Ormond St/road, businesses & hotels with Ormond in the name. And you might just... 

 See All 9 Local Customs in Kilkenny

172.

Tipping   Dublin

Tipping, Dublin

 6 Reviews  In some restaurants I found that the 10% tip was included in the bill, which is something I dont like. I understand that I should tip someone when I get a good service and not because I am obligued... 

 See All 206 Local Customs in Dublin

173.

Smoking   Dublin

Smoking, Dublin

 8 Reviews  I am SO glad they've outlawed smoking here. Makes for a much nicer time in the pubs and restaurants. I know everyone claims business will be lost when these bans go into effect but place after place... 

 See All 206 Local Customs in Dublin

174.

St. Patrick's Day Parade   Dublin

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

 3 Reviews  OK, I will have to confess my bias here as I don't particulary enjoy the post-parade part of the day where you see people throwing up, urinating, throwing rubbish, fighting, or staggering around on... 

 See All 206 Local Customs in Dublin

175.

Irish Hospitality   Dublin

Irish Hospitality, Dublin

 5 Reviews  I must say the Irish are good ol' wacky people who are extremely genuine and hospitable not to forget one of the friendliest people I've ever met. The accent is just kinda hot and such a turned on!... 

 See All 206 Local Customs in Dublin

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Smoke free zone at Johnnie Fox's

by kymbanm

Businesses all over Ireland were trying to cope with the new smoking ban. The law states that no one should be forced to work in an environment with second hand smoke. As a result, some have tried to cleverly sidestep the smoking ban ....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 :)

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Driving ...

by anatlc

... on the "wrong" side of the road is not that "disturbing"as you think it would be. But cows on the roads are. If everything wansn't THAT green, you'd think you were in India..... Well, not really, but it was funny trying to persuade a cow to move :-)

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Kissing

by anatlc

If you have no one to kiss with and you really really feel like it, all you have to do is pay 1 euro LOLOne kiss one euro. Though the guy who was "selling" kisses... well I'll just say I'd rather pay him to not kiss me ;-p

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You have Joe Sheridan to thank....

by sourbugger

Despite what may will tell you, Irish Coffee began from the time of the first flights across the atlantic during WWII. Shannon Int. Airport outside Limerick became one of the last airports for re-fuelling, and it was here that the bartender Joe Sheridan invented this calorific nightmare in a glass..Tea had been drunk with whiskey for years but it was Joe who mixed coffee, brown sugar, and fine whisky, topped with whipped cream and served the drink in a glass.It must be the only drink to my knowledge that was actually invented in what is normally a god forsaken place : the airport bar.

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Iced Tea? What?!

by fmaven

We were in a small restaurant in Oldcastle and one of my travel partners asked for an iced tea. The waitress politely said, "Wha--? You want WHAT?" and looked a little horrified. The other patrons in the restaurant who heard had gone silent too. Even our Irish host had a "Ewww" look on his face. Trust me, my friend's order was changed!It seems the Irish take their tea seriously and the only way to really drink it is hot. I've been threatening to send my host bottled iced tea ever since.

A dry place to live in! ;o))) Thatched roof house

by Helena1962

Around Ireland, you will find many such houses. Thatched roof houses seem to be very dry!! And yes, they are, indeed!These houses are very typical of Ireland and the more out the crowds you get, the more of them you see.At the picture you see one we saw in Donegal.

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Irish history in Howth

by kymbanm

In July of 1914, Erskine Childers landed his ship in Howth harbor to provide weapons to the Irish Rebellion.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 ....

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Tipping

by orlikins

NEVER EVER EVER TIP IN PUBS/BARS!If service charge is not included, you may add 10-15% to your bill at your discretion. Alternatively you can round up the bill to the nearest 10. This is something American tourists find hard to get used to, but we don't automatically tip for everything, we want to see value for money before we decide to tip!

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Touch 'o hard stuff - it will knock your socks off

by sourbugger

The Illicit distilling of Poteen takes place in many areas across Ireland, although you are much more likely to come across it in the wilder parts of the west. Sometimes known as Irish moonshine, it is in fact similar to vodka as it is based on the Potato. Be warned (I almost put this on the dangers section) it can be very strong - although you seem to get drunk from the feet up, and when you stand up : you tend to fall down again.Being illegal, one should not ask for the stuff, but if you are really getting on well with someone a bottle might just appear !You can now buy commercially produced stuff, but it is obviously far weaker and less potent than the real McCoy.

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Smoke free zones in Dublin

by kymbanm

Since the smoking ban was new when I was in Ireland, I had fun watching my fellow smokers deal with all of the changes.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 :)

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Top 3 Hotels in Ireland

Westbury Hotel  Dublin

 4 Reviews and 722 Opinions  If location is a must and you have the extra to spend, Westbury's is certainly a place to go. Just... 

 Hotels in Dublin

Fitzgerald's Vienna Woods Hotel  Cork

 1 Review and 172 Opinions

 Hotels in Cork

Park House  Galway

 2 Reviews and 657 Opinions  I selected the Park House Hotel because it is very convenient to both the bus and train stations in... 

 Hotels in Galway

Questions and Answers

Cubiche profile photo

Q:  Hi everyone! We are planning a trip to Ireland, 12 days, in May. We are going to drive from Dublin out West and circle back... 

leics profile photo

A: Any of the worldwide (Avis, Hertz, Enterprise etc), or Europe-wide (Autoeurope, Budget, Thrifty etc) or local firms will be fine imo. Car hire in Ireland is regulated.... 

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