We may have flocked to the US in millions over the centuries, but despite our love for America there are many things that Ireland does better.
Here’s a rundown....
1. A cup of tea
There is no messing with hundreds of different types of tea leaves and flavors, as there are only two types of tea in Ireland: Barry’s and Lyon’s. Tea is the solution to everything in Ireland, it cures all ailments. It's considered a sin for someone to call over to your house and not be offered a cup of scald. After centuries of tea drinking, we know how to make a good cup.
Read More: A cup of tea is the way to Irish people’s hearts - how do you take yours?
2. Reusable plastic bags
In Ireland, it's not a paper or plastic option, it's paper or PAY! Ireland reduced its plastic bag consumption by 90 percent since 2002 when the government introduced a 15 cent levy on plastic bags in order to try and reduce the consumption of them. The levy now stands at 22 cent. As a result the majority of consumers use their own recyclable shopping bags. According to reusethisbag.com the US uses 380 billion plastic bags a year. Some states in the US have taken action by banning and taxing plastic bag usage, while other states have rejected the proposals.
3. Guinness
Despite soaring sales of the black stuff in the US, a pint of Guinness tastes better in Ireland. All Guinness sold in Ireland is made in Ireland, so the travel miles are minimal in comparison. Meaning an Irish pint of Guinness is probably the freshest on offer.
Read More: Ten reasons why Obama’s right and Guinness tastes better in Ireland
4. Soda bread, brown bread and sliced pans
What do they put in American bread that makes it so sweet and unnatural? If you were lucky enough to have an Irish mother or Granny in your life, there is a good chance she baked some soda bread. American tastes unnatural in comparison. There is nothing like a good sliced pan, a bit of butter and a few slices of ham.
Read More: Healthy homemade and Irish - delicious brown soda bread recipe
5. Rock Legends
So America gave us Hendrix and Springsteen to name a few, but what about Donegal’s own Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott, and of course U2! Van Morrison is still blaring on the airwaves. The Horslips pioneered the trend of mixing traditional Irish music with rock and roll for an unique sounds which remains popular today. Newcomers such as The Script and Snow Patrol are playing to sellout crowds around the US. Who would you rather share a pint with, Bono or Springsteen?
Read More: Top ten Irish rock n’ roll songs of all time - SEE VIDEOS
6. Literature
From Oscar Wilde to George Bernard Shaw to James Joyce, Ireland has made a disproportionately large contribution to world literature.
Ten ten interesting facts about Irish literary legend Oscar Wilde
7. Having the craic and banter
Put an Irish person in a room full of strangers and you can guarantee that by the end of the night they will have made a few friends. There is more than one reason there are Irish bars scattered around the world and it’s not because we are raging alcoholics. We like to talk and shoot the breeze and are excellent conversationalists.
Read More: Having the ‘craic’ in Galway city
8. Pale and pasty
Milk bottle legs, freckles, an allergic reaction to the sun, no race does pale and pasty like the Irish. A kin to this, no one does sunburn quite like the Irish too.
9. Breakfast
Perhaps the most unhealthy meal among the many Irish culinary delights. Traditionally it’s all fried on the pan, a good lean rasher, some sausages, black and white pudding, fried eggs and some baked beans. Served with lashings of Irish tea and toast smothered with Irish butter.
Read More: The top ten essentials for a traditional Irish breakfast - sausages, rashers, tea and more
10. An Irish Mammy
Saving the best until last. There is nothing like a good dose of an Irish mammy. Of course American Moms are great too, but no-one compares to the wisdom and wit that an Irish mother offers.
Read More: Top ten wise words of wisdom often heard from the Irish Mammy
What do you think America could learn from Ireland? Share your thoughts below.
22 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Will Hamilton | Dec 21, 2012, 09:19 AM EST
People have to sell newspapers and if your market is Plastic Paddy land the above article of Killarney Gift Shop Tea Towel Oirishness is just the thing to play to the crowd. That it's full of made up nonsense and unfounded generalities won't really make much difference to the average American-who-imagines-he's-Irish. Ireland's record in the literary world is due to Irish atheist's and Protestants who the Plastic Paddies on another day blame for all the country's ills.
STEVENSTAR | Dec 16, 2012, 11:07 PM EST
WE ALSO DONT HAVE GENETICALLY MODIFIED MEATS AND DAIRY PRODUCTS, WE DONT EAT AS MUCH FAST FOODS ALSO WE AHVE A POPULATION OF 4.3 MILLION IN 2012 AND I DONT THINK AS MANY OF US WENT TO AMERICA AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO THINK... THERE ARE ALSO MANY IRISH IN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA... MORE SO THEN IN AMERICA BUT THE IRISH IN ENGLAND AND IN AUSTRALIA DONT GO ON AND ON AND ON ABOUT IRELAND LIKE AMERICANS DO.... IM IRISH AND WE ACTUALLY FIND REALLY ANNOYING HOW YOU PEOPLE ARE OBSESSED WITH US :) .. ITS ALSO KINDA SCARY..
coolock5 | Nov 16, 2012, 02:17 PM EST
christilcaugh - all Guinness sold and served in the USA is brewed here in Dublin. There is no difference other than the time it takes to ship overseas. No pasteurisation involved.
BrianO | Nov 16, 2012, 12:16 PM EST
The Cranberries and The Corrs are good Irish rock type bands but better than American bands, I think not, Hope I'm forgiven not forgotten.
esatdigiwank | Nov 16, 2012, 03:55 AM EST
forgetting of course from the 'dreamtime' of pre-XFactor, pre-Idol - The Cranberries, The Corrs..none of today's tweeny rollocks ).
Bryman1991 | Nov 15, 2012, 05:30 PM EST
Rory Gallagher was a Cork man, who happened to be born in Donegal.
citizen69 | Nov 15, 2012, 02:32 PM EST
Ireland does rock legends better than America!?!... Erm, You need to go away and think about that one Bernie Malone... embarrassing!
WoundedKnee | Nov 15, 2012, 01:03 PM EST
"ten things that Ireland does better than the United States"... You forgot the obvious one: CURSE. Well, now that I think of it, not better. Just More.
Moirann16 | Nov 15, 2012, 08:04 AM EST
mtmccabe, you beat me to it! Ireland kills pregnant women "better" than anyone else!
christilcaugh | Nov 15, 2012, 01:22 AM EST
Guinness is better in Ireland! The pasteurizing makes it bitter here in the States! A sad fact...
donal1951 | Nov 15, 2012, 01:17 AM EST
When we visited Ballinasloe in the early 1970s, my father told me never to turn down a cup of tea, and I never did. It was good, strong and black with milk and sugar. A finer nonalcoholic drink I never had than a good traditional Irish cuppa.
mtmccabe | Nov 14, 2012, 02:06 PM EST
What Ireland doesn't do well - medical care for miscarrying women.
Pazuzu | Nov 14, 2012, 02:01 PM EST
You're definitely right about the tea. You can get a decent cup of tea everywhere in Ireland. I never ask for tea in a restaurant in the US. They just give you a small cup of tepid water, a Tetley's tea bag on the side, with some of those plastic creamers. How disgusting!
barnie4001 | Nov 14, 2012, 01:25 PM EST
try sugar and salt pilib04 yours is far to hevy
barnie4001 | Nov 14, 2012, 01:20 PM EST
soda bread will do me ok men
pilib04 | Nov 14, 2012, 11:29 AM EST
Sugar! That's is what Americans put in Soda Bread that changes the taste. It is downright awful.
cillowen | Nov 14, 2012, 10:56 AM EST
great for blowout souls while blowins descend in drtoves
cillowen | Nov 14, 2012, 10:05 AM EST
Chuck berry, the Ramones, The Righteous Brothers, Roy Orbison, Aerosmith, The Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cream, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Junior, Patsy Cline, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Blondie, J Giels Band, South Side Johnny, Steely Dan, Nervous Eaters, Blue oyster Cult, The Outlaws, to name a few American bands, but Ireland does have one direction star Niall and there is always The Little Green Cars a nice up and coming Band from Dublin, but what do I know I'm just an American.
NYCsheridan | Nov 14, 2012, 09:49 AM EST
Since you asked, I'd rTher share a beer with Springsteen. Bono can be a bit of a dick.
JackofIraq | Nov 14, 2012, 09:48 AM EST
Ah, but the United States are catching up with Ireland,....as far a people out of work, and young people with no prospect for a future.
JoeCogan | Nov 14, 2012, 09:44 AM EST
Let's not forget The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem if we're talking about Irish music. If you grew up Irish-American in New York during the 1960's, they were the center of the known universe.
esatdigiwank | Nov 14, 2012, 07:50 AM EST
As we're on the topic of best Irish exports, when it comes to legends, why omit the sadly missed Gary Moore Belfast born , part of Thin Lizzy with P. Lynnott. His music,songs of course denied to 2 generations of Irish because there seems to be a broadcasting ban, prohibition on playing his tracks. A cultural amnesia of him exists not only in Dublin, but his native Belfast! But no matter where you go in Europe, he is Very acclaimed!