A little bit of local knowledge goes a long way - and with this in mind, we at Irish Central have prepared a brief guide to vacationing in Ireland.
Although remember - if you really want to fit in with the locals, you might want to avoid expressions like "vacationing" - use "going on holiday" instead.
You might also want to include the expression, "Where are yar' lucky charms?" in as many conversations as possible - the Irish will surely love you for that.
Driving
Don't go onto the roundabout (traffic circle) the wrong way round. The rule is you enter to your left, and give way to traffic from your right. And it’s petrol, not gas.
Not going to Northern Ireland
There’s really no excuse not to go to Northern Ireland. Even if you only have a few days, it’s still worth a visit, and Belfast is only a little over two hours away from Dublin by train. Derry (also called Londonderry) is worth checking out – especially at Halloween, when the entire city dresses up in costume.
Visiting Dublin – and only drinking in Temple Bar
Temple Bar is Dublin’s cultural center just south of the River Liffey. It has plenty of museums, stores, bars and restaurants. But all this is best left for the day time – at night, it becomes considerably less attractive. If you are looking for a good night out, try any number of the bars along Camden Street. George’s Street and Wexford Street.
Not going to a hurling or Gaelic football match
Hurling is sometimes described as a cross between lacrosse and hockey, but that doesn’t really do the sport any justice because it is unlike any other sport in the world. It’s well worth going to see a game – and the same goes for Gaelic football, which looks like a cross between soccer and rugby. The best time to see these games is during the summer when the season's just getting going. It gets increasingly difficult to get tickets towards the end of the season. Dublin’s Croke Park, the main GAA stadium is Ireland, includes a museum that explains the evolution of Ireland’s native sports.
Forgetting to claim your tax back
Taxes are generally already added into the cost of most goods and services in Ireland. As a tourist, you are eligible to reclaim this tax back at the airport – just remember to keep your receipts.
15 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.| Feb 15, 2010, 04:05 PM EST
I think that Temple Bar is a RIP OFF unless you don't mind spending 6 or 7 Euro for a Pint of Guinness(About 9 or 10 dollars). You do a lot better in the Pubs off Grafton Street (A few of them are still there that are mentioned in James Joyce's Ulysses.).
maxriley | Feb 15, 2010, 07:51 AM EST
MY MASTER AND HIS DAUGHTER VISITED IRELAND SOME YEARS AGO,BEFORE I WAS AROUND BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT WITHOUT HER DIRECTION AND GUIDENCE THE OLD BOY WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE FARM.
mylesie | Feb 08, 2010, 11:22 AM EST
saddleoff2 - Check out DistantCousins.com plenty of Pique references. Cheers
ciarrai | Feb 06, 2010, 03:17 PM EST
Dublin is to Ireland like NYC is to USA. I don't even go near the place anymore. It probably stems from the last time when I parked at Merrion Row and got booted (clamped) and had to cough up $80 plus to get disconnected and we waited an hour and a half for them to get there (I didn't pay the parking meter; didn't know) My complaints over the phone fell on deaf ears. No more big city Ireland for us. 35 years ago I saw the Book of Kells, went to the real Guinness Brewery and Moore St. market. I love the rest of the country and I don't need the hassle.
shrinnkie246 | Feb 05, 2010, 02:27 PM EST
"absolute crap" is right!
Dermo2inVA | Feb 05, 2010, 01:43 PM EST
Stardodd, It is County Roscommon. Wynne is fairly common. There are Florists in Dublin with the surname Wynne. If you google search the Irish Telephone Diectory or just pubs in Roscommon you should get some bites.
Dermo2inVA | Feb 05, 2010, 01:40 PM EST
We don't have that advert "Lucky charms" in Ireland. You are likely to piss someone off if you use that kind of blather over there.
mylesie | Feb 05, 2010, 10:17 AM EST
What absolute crap - apart from the picture of a pot-holed forest road , which should be treated with all the contempt it deserves!! Northern Ireland and Derry specifically, catch yourself on, Gee Wilma, look at the cute people dressed for halloween. This is a snapshot of Derry: Our built heritage, including the Walled City: Ireland’s oldest Cathedral St. Columb’s, a history which dates back to St. Columba and our position as Ireland’s first plantation City, Museum of Free Derry, the Guildhall and our relationship with the London Guilds, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, all combining to contribute significantly to our cultural offerings. One single example - St Columba's Church Long Tower Although there has been a house of religion on the spot of Long Tower since the year 546, there was a time from about 1550 until 1786 when all that existed was a ruin, and Catholics had to worship in the open, exposed to the elements. From 1786 there has been a church here and in 1907 this was rebuilt and stands today as a most beautiful place of worship. There are 5 graveyards with the earliest known gravestone dating to 1758.This precinct is a must to visit for all visitors especially those wishing to trace their Roman Catholic ancestors from the city of Derry. Please let someone have a look at the place, and NOT from outdated reference books. Thank you.
saddleoff2 | Feb 05, 2010, 10:07 AM EST
Is Pigue an Irish name?
saddleoff2 | Feb 05, 2010, 10:06 AM EST
I like.
stardodd | Feb 03, 2010, 08:32 PM EST
I want to know if anybody can tell me how to get information on my father's family - WYNNE - I believe there is a bar in Ruccommon? ANy ideas?
Hawaiibobbee | Feb 03, 2010, 06:28 PM EST
You're still doing just great! Suggestion: newcomers should not try to pronounce Irish names ... they won't be understood and will probably give the locals a good laugh ...
deecallahan | Feb 03, 2010, 04:42 PM EST
when I visited Ireland, I read everything about it I could find,especially history and it made a big difference..I do wish I had had time to search my husband's family genealogy...
Dakeski | Feb 03, 2010, 11:44 AM EST
Some stores where able to take the tax off at time of purchase. Then just had to turn in the reciepts at the Airport.
atherts | Feb 03, 2010, 11:29 AM EST
I agree you should try and get the tax money back, but it is a painful process. You have to have everything ready at the airport to turn it in. This can take varying amounts of time assuming that the booth is open and someone is there. After you turn it in, it can take 6 - 12 months to get anything back and the amount will probably not be what you submitted. Your mileage may vary.