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

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.

"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

@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.

What a load of rubbish

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.

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.

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.

Bogsidebunny, you dropped the ball on an gaeilige.

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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=)