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Top ten ways to pass as Irish - tips for tourists in Ireland

Ideas for passing as a local while vacationing in Ireland

MICHELLE K. SMITH,

IrishCentral Intern

Published Thursday, September 27, 2012, 7:36 AM

Updated Thursday, September 27, 2012, 12:31 PM

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24 Comments

American tourists: Ideas for passing as a local while vacationing in Ireland

Photo by Google Images

1. Wait approximately two minutes before sipping a Guinness, allowing it to settle completely.

After the bartender has poured your pint, the Guinness will be a light brown color and you’ll note that the liquid is moving towards the bottom of the class and becoming darker. You should wait until it has all settled and has turned the iconic black color before taking a sip. For tips on how to pour the perfect pint.

Read more: The secret to pouring the perfect pint of Guinness -VIDEO

2. Before enjoying a refreshing beverage with friendly pubbers, say slainte (pronounced “slawn-cha”), which means “to your health.”

After everyone has got their pints, raise your glass and say slainte. Clink one another’s glasses before taking a sip.

Read more: Slainte and what the Irish words means

3. Venture to the local pub for some real trad (traditional/folk music) and use the word craic (good times)!

Many pubs offer live music which can vary from traditional folk music to current hits. Make sure to stop in a pub with a group of trad musicians. A group of about four musicians might be on a small stage or gathered around a table.

Common instruments include the fiddle, bodhran (hand held drum), penny whistle, and uilleann pipes.

4. Play golf in the rain. In fact, do anything in the rain.

There’s no way around it, it rains a lot in Ireland. Don’t cut your excursion short because of a bit of water. Grab a raincoat and chances are the rain will stop in a while. Don’t wear too much rain gear, it’s a give away sign of a tourist.

Read more: Ireland confirmed as the top global golf destination by Americans

5. Ramble about hill walking, especially on a sunny day.

There are many beautiful “hiking trails” throughout Ireland for both the novice and expert hill walker. Hill walking is a great way to learn about the local folklore and history. Leave the beaten tourist road for a while and try this popular activity. Several companies offer guided walks.

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24 Comments

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dorculla | Oct 10, 2012, 04:14 PM EDT

One tip for passing as an Irish person: Don't. It's the equivalent of us going over to the States, wrapping ourselves in an American flag and singing the National anthem.

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seamusryan | Oct 09, 2012, 07:34 AM EDT

"2. Before enjoying a refreshing beverage with friendly pubbers, say slainte (pronounced “slawn-cha”), which means “to your health.”" In plenty of places, if you do that, you'll just have done the equivalent of jumping up and down on the table while screaming "I'm a tourist". YMMV

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Searlit | Sep 30, 2012, 05:21 PM EDT

@Seanmor, thanks for clearing that up on an Ghaeilge. You are right on the feminine nouns being aspirated with h. I knew I should have put an there. Oh, bhuel.

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angrypaddy | Sep 29, 2012, 12:16 AM EDT

What a load of rubbish

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Seanmor | Sep 28, 2012, 11:18 PM EDT

pilibO4: Glad that you mentioned Gaeilge twice, using the definte article "an" on both occaasions. Since "Gaeilge" is a feminine noun, it is "an Ghaeilge", because most femine nouns are arpirated when preceeded by the definate article. (There in NO indefinite article in Irish). You also state that, Ireland is "God's creation", which is correct. Since God made Ireland as a single, separate geographical entity and since it had a language of its own for almost 2,000 years, it has two very obvious claims to nationhood, but most of the current T.D.s are quite happy with an Ireland that has been partitioned by a foreign power for nearly a centuries and whose language has almost disappeared.

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pilib04 | Sep 28, 2012, 06:16 PM EDT

Italiangirl, you have quite the right attitude. Don't let the bigots and sourpuss get you down. Enjoy the beauty of God's creation, she created Ireland so that we could get through this life on earth.

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pilib04 | Sep 28, 2012, 06:14 PM EDT

Posted before correction. Try it again. Bogsidebunny, you dropped the ball with regards to an Gaeilge. We have found speaking Irish in a public place is quite the icebreaker. Particularly since our teacher was from Donegal and we our Midwesterners. We end up with quite the dialect. Invariably someone shares with us. Of course now, we shy away from large cities. So most of our haunts are villages in out of the way places. But even in Bundoran or Lahinch, you will receive a response if you use the Irish. Perhaps your experience was in Dublin. Not much experience there. We have made a number of good friends this way. We've yet to come across a B&B host who could not speak a few words or respond to our meager usage.

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pilib04 | Sep 28, 2012, 06:01 PM EDT

Bogsidebunny, you dropped the ball on an gaeilige.

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WoundedKnee | Sep 28, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT

An interesting variant on this would for the Irish;--Ten Ways to Pass as an American. I'll start with Number 1: Stop cursing in every sentence.

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Smyrnian | Sep 28, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT

And for Americans remember to NEVER leave your money on the bar between drinks! Dead giveaway!

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IrelandNorth | Sep 28, 2012, 07:20 AM EDT

Not all Irish people are drinkers. And not all drinkers are Irish. Some of us do recognise a thinly disguised comercial for the intoxication industry masquerading as a human interest story. Equating Irishness with the devil's buttermilk (and a certain British brewer that purloined an Irish national symbol before patent), is objectionable. PS Only people who wore green tea cosy Tam-o-Shanters - "with fuzzy ball on top" were Black-n-Tans out-and-about doing a spot of British state terrorism in Ireland - fadó fadó! Agus, nach bhfuil An Stáit Áontaithe Meircánach sceal dhá naisiuntanach anois - daonlathanach agus poblachtananch?

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Searlit | Sep 28, 2012, 01:05 AM EDT

The article would have been more popular if the title was how to fit in while visiting Ireland. Everyone should do what they enjoy, be courteous and friendly. The rest is a matter of taste. If you want to speak a little Irish you can always go to a Gaeltacht area. I speak a few words when I'm there because I like to see how people respond. People that do speak the language are helpful, since they respect Gaeilge, too.

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AlunPalmer | Sep 27, 2012, 10:15 PM EDT

I don't think that following these rules will convince anyone that you're Irish. Why try, anyway?

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Tom Mo | Sep 27, 2012, 07:10 PM EDT

Does Michelle have any advice on how to prevent sneaky little Irish caddies from stealing from the bags of their unsuspecting and decent foreign golfers? Another stupid article. I was told years ago by my brother that Americans dress too bright. They should probably dress drab like themselves. Thank God for Rory McElroy and the new Irish golfers/dressers.

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italiangirl | Sep 27, 2012, 06:09 PM EDT

Me,personally, I do not want to look like nor try to pass myself off as a local of Ireland. I want these wonderful Irish to know that I have chosen to come to their beautiful country(to me one of the most beautiful countries in the world)to experience and get lost on whatever road I am on. I have been to Ireland one time in my life and I am planning to go back for my birthday this spring. I would not trade my experience's in I reland for nothing. If I sound like a romantic,I am. But, only to Ireland=)

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