A little bit of local knowledge goes a long way - and with this in mind, we at IrishCentral 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. (Note the sarcasm here...)
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.
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READ MORE:
Top ten facts about Galway – ‘Ireland's Cultural Heart’ - PHOTOS
The magic of Irish witches and druids – top ten ancient Irish charms and spells
Ten things my Irish mammy taught me
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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.
Ireland is notoriously difficult to navigate with signposts often impossible to find. Map vital, GPS essential
Get used to it guys. In Ireland you will need to drop the shyness and the macho outlook and ask
Irish people hate it when Yanks or anyone for that matter try it on. Not recommended .
Big mistake, no matter what the forecast says, rain can happen at the drop of a, well raindrop.very unpredictable and sometimes annoying
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READ MORE:
Top ten facts about Galway – ‘Ireland's Cultural Heart’ - PHOTOS
The magic of Irish witches and druids – top ten ancient Irish charms and spells
Ten things my Irish mammy taught me
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Mairin67 | Oct 10, 2011, 07:00 PM EDT
cindyohcindy - look up Bus Eireann on line. It will tell you everything you need to know.
cindyohcindy | Sep 18, 2011, 05:02 PM EDT
Where do I get the knowledge on which busses leave Dublin airport for Co. Clare.. Thanks
Springfield9 | Sep 09, 2011, 12:13 AM EDT
Hertz and Avis did everyone a favor when they wouldn't allow cars to travel to N.I. - I just suffered through a few days in Belfast ...... when I escaped, the motorway to Co. Clare was smoking!
maryosullivan | Sep 07, 2011, 09:32 AM EDT
" it's also called Londonderry.." Only by those interested in disinforming
McNamara31 | Sep 06, 2011, 08:46 PM EDT
@joanxis "What do you suggest if you need to rent a car" One thing you may consider is flying into Dublin and just take the "hop on and hop off bus" to tour the sights. Then take the Citylink bus direct Dublin to Galway 2hrs (great comfortable trip). When you arrive in Galway you can pick up your rental in Galway downtown center (Budget)and become relaxed driving in the west where it is much easier to drive. You can also take many (1 day)tours in the area with the Galway Tour Co. which is fantastic. Enjoy
timbobdennehy | Sep 06, 2011, 06:19 PM EDT
@ grandpalovett the sign over tassies,meant the british english not the american version.besides that is have the fun of ireland ripping the english.
GeorgeDillon | Sep 06, 2011, 08:23 AM EDT
As regards avoiding renting a car in Dublin, one suggestion would be to take a one-day trip to Belfast from Dublin. Takes about two hours each way, so you could leave at say 9 a.m and be in Belfast by 11. There are several ways for doing the trip, bus (two options) and train. I recommend bus from the Dublin Airport. Gets you to Belfast in even less than two hours, and, if I remember correctly, cost me only ten euros round trip. Folks visiting Ireland should do a little work on the internet before hand. I know some of the real good bus and train deals e.g Dublin-Galway etc. are available on the net only.
bogsidebunny | Sep 06, 2011, 06:23 AM EDT
A word of warning on Irish "round-abouts". The larger ones are OK, however, due to the fact that many County Councils and Boro Councils are loath to spend taxpayer's money except on pay-offs, foreign junkets and booze-ups they have created the mini-round-about at intersections that should only be controlled by traffid lights. Traffic lights are expensive to install and are a long term expense to maintain. However the mini-round-about (many the size of a gargage can lid) only require a gallon of white paint in oreder to make a white circle in the intersection. NOW, Irish rules of the road declare that once a round-about is established the inter secting roads no longer intersect, ergo the laws regarding an intersection do not apply. Especiallu dangerous is the fact that you may legally do a 360-degree turn at a round-about. Sounds good? Watch out when the round-about is only a dot in the road. Round-abouts are also not pedestrian friendly. No traffic light sequence to allow a walker to cross the road. Run at your own risk. Basically, the Irish government places the saving of money over lives. Speed limits are arbitrary. No studies are done. 120kph on Motorways, 100kph on national roads. Local councils have the authority to set limits on dual lane national roads. That's like the town of Elizabeth, NJ setting the speed limit on the NJ Turnpike. WHY, they lower the limit on a curve and set up a "speed camera" more moola in fines from the motorist. And in Irish law, if you contest the charges in court and lose (as usual0 the fine is doubled and the penalty points doubled as well.
brianmack | Sep 06, 2011, 05:32 AM EDT
Visiting Northern Ireland is a must. We actually went there by mistake, several years ago, and spent the night at a Bed and Breakfast hosted by a Protestant family (We're Roman Catholic) It was still a bit tense then but our attitudes changed quite a bit at the hospitality given us. The City is beautiful with some great sites and sounds. Highlight of our Ireland trip, along with my parent home town, Tralee, Kerry.
ballyhip | Sep 06, 2011, 01:08 AM EDT
Suggestions? Yea, be yourself. Any pretensions? They will cut you to pieces in minute...just for sport. Otherwise, attend a horse race if you can or place a bet in any sports parlor and go to the local pub to view the results. Talk it up to the punters w/o being obvious. Avoid Killarney and the Ring of Kerry...just more Americans. Go to Laoish or Offaly...no Americans go there. Love Sligo but only go there after the cottage Yeats industry has finished...visit Shoot the Crow at 11:00pm to meet the world. 1st descent American who lived and worked in Ireland, owned a car (citizenship), but found out I was probably more American than Irish...strange conundrum. Bill of Rights, etc. Defending executions, gun laws, etc. which I don't believe in but I was the Yank at the bar. Great sport and craic. The Irish read many more papers than we do so be prepared...intellectually.
grandmaguns | Sep 05, 2011, 10:50 PM EDT
Not booking a B&B ahead of time as you travel by car, especially on Bank Holiday weekends as I was left with an 82 year old mother, a sister and two little boys without a place to stay until a kind hearted Wexford couple took us in and put their own kids out of their beds.
michaelidaho | Sep 05, 2011, 09:20 PM EDT
Use a fake Irish accent. Really? Who does that? I do not think I have ever heard a foreigner in any country trying to ape the accent of the country they are travelling in. My advice. Go to Ireland, be yourself and enjoy. Do not worry about Northern Ireland, Gaelic football matches or Dublin. I have gone to the West of Ireland more than twenty times and I can tell you not visiting Dublin or NI is not going to be the "biggest" mistake you are going to make. For that matter, I would not worry too much about saying vacation, french fry, etc. For goodness sake, just have enjoy the country, be respectful and have a bit of humility. Commonsense!
pilib04 | Sep 05, 2011, 07:14 PM EDT
Yes, visit the relatives in England while you are in Ireland. Ryan Air is extremely reasonable if you reserve early. You can even get free tickets (tax only). You have to reserve early. We too the ferry from Belfast to Stranaer and then across to Scotland to Northern England. We stayed two nights and then drove back and took Ferry back to Belfast. WE could have flown for less.
eileend | Sep 05, 2011, 05:17 PM EDT
In fact, DO ask for directions. Some of my best evenings began that way. And I've never met a local who is hesitant to offer help. As for clothing, layer, layer, layer. I always bring Wintersilk longjohns and undershirt, that is so light you can stuff it in your purse if it gets warm, but cuts off Irish wind very nicely. Joanxis--I agree not to rent in Dublin. It's pointless. What we always do is taxi or bus into Dublin, then taxi back to the airport to pick up a car. Yes, all car rental is a rip-off, but half the fun of traveling is those wonderful back roads and farmhouses the buses just won't drop you off at. As far as going places you're not wanted, never been there. Met surly drunks, sure, but heck, I've met plenty of those here. I just remember it's not my house, and watch to see how the locals interact(which is true anywhere in the world) before speaking up. And if I want to have some good craic, I ask directions.
Robinhughes | Sep 05, 2011, 03:29 PM EDT
I used Bus Eireann to get from one city to another. It was pretty reliable. Dublin has a city bus system, but it was a little confusing to me. Some of the cities have a hop-on, hop-off bus that takes you around to the popular touristy places if that's what you want to do. It's very convenient.
joycean | Sep 05, 2011, 02:46 PM EDT
joanxis, You don't need a car in Dublin, so if you will be there for all or part of your stay, don't pay for rental for those days use the city busses. Do make reservations before you leave, and be sure to check on insurance. Our cedit cards did not cover car rental in Ireland, so we had to pay for the car company's insurance. That was an added expense, but better than paying for damage out of pocket.
carrickcourt | Sep 05, 2011, 01:26 PM EDT
One does not "rent" a car in Ireland. One hires a car in Ireland. The lingo is different in Ireland, so learn the Irish lingo. The weather is always unpredictable in Ireland. Prepare for much cooler weather and for rain. My last two visits I some how lucked out with the weather though I did have to walk the walls of Derry/Londonderry in the rain. Be prepared to find indoor places to visit like museums if it is raining. In the country the tradition is for the main meal, dinner, to be at 12:30 PM. Have a good Irish "fry" breakfast if you are not up for an Irish dinner in the early afternoon. Supper is called tea in Ireland and is generally a light meal.
joanxis | Sep 05, 2011, 12:59 PM EDT
What do you suggest if you need to rent a car?
POF9999 | Sep 05, 2011, 12:43 PM EDT
Agree with the comment that car hire is extortionate ! Recently dropped in home on my way back to the US and was completely ripped off for 2 days rental ($300 for a small auto) - made the mistake of thinking that an on line "reservation fee" was the total cost. Needless to say, I went with another company when I did a 2 week hire in August.
RedBranch | Sep 05, 2011, 12:28 PM EDT
West is Best
GeorgeDillon | Sep 05, 2011, 12:23 PM EDT
JimMcGarity: I agree with your sentiment. I find it disgusting that a country with such an ancient culture should define itself by some kind of booze. If you agree with me say so to those souvenir outlets that try to sell you some Guinness crap.
GeorgeDillon | Sep 05, 2011, 12:20 PM EDT
TGormley is absolutely right. Irish rental car companies--even the Irish versions of multinationals like Hertz etc.--are Scamsters Incorporated. Avoid at all costs.
TGormley | Sep 05, 2011, 12:08 PM EDT
Another one is the car rentail companies, I rented a car from BUDGET and when I returned it the rental guy spotted a nail in one of the tires and added on 20 Euro ($30) to the bill. The rental was a total rip off in the first place.
arutherford | Sep 05, 2011, 12:00 PM EDT
The biggest mistake I made was leaving! And I stayed a month! Already reserved my cottage in Ballyvaughan for 2 months next year. There was one serious mistake-the ferries from Doolin to the Aran Islands. We took Bill O'Brien but I think they're probably all the same. Surly, unhelpful crew; no cue or line to get back on the ferry; people mobbing, pushing and shoving their way back onto the ferry; we had to wait for 2 hrs. and 3 ferries to get back to Doolin. Miserable experience and I hear from others it's always that way. Very dangerous situation!
grandpalovett | Sep 05, 2011, 11:44 AM EDT
Loved Ireland but as always there are people that don't like Americans, and it is obvious. Just a few examples:in Galway at Tassies pub. They have a sign that says Galic spoken here, English is tolerated. I felt a little funny and left.In Kilorglin we walked into O'neals there was my sister in law my brother , my husband and myself. My sister in law and I were looking into the bar and the people were saying come on in . come on in. So we figured it was really a friendly place we went and got the guys and as we walked in there was a drunk at the bar. as we walked by he said with a disgusted look and tone in his voice "oh no more of them." the tension was thick. we turned and walked out. We are in a foreign country and don't know this area., better that we left. WE walked up the street to a sports bar and they were entirely different. We really felt accepted, They were friendly and fun people.We 've been to Ireland three times and these two incidents were only two of four things were we didn't feel comfortable with. That is pretty good odds. The people were very friendly and helpful. Would we go back ? We are next year.
BiffSissy | Sep 05, 2011, 11:31 AM EDT
JimMcGarity..you obviously were not on a CIE tour!!
joannesnow | Sep 05, 2011, 10:52 AM EDT
Don't think the locals DO NOT like you if they take a l-o-n-g time to bring your drink to you. They are pouring your Guiness so it is FULL to the top...just because they DO like you. And ask for 'crisps' .....chips are fries!!!!
ciarrai | Sep 05, 2011, 10:49 AM EDT
The first page was a few unnecessary bits of info. It's just as well that the second page didn't show up. Here's the best tip...go and enjoy yourself and enjoy the gift of gab and the beauty of the place.
pounder | Sep 05, 2011, 10:45 AM EDT
Bring warm clothes...even during the summer months.
NancyLou9 | Sep 05, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT
For some reason the second page didn't load. I saw tons of gift shops, however, that had lots of things that didn't say Guinness. You just have to look for them. Lots of great shopping in Dublin and beyond.
JimMcGarity | Sep 05, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT
I didn't see many gift shops. I wanted clothes and other items that didn't say Ginnes