Eleven Things That Will Shock You on Your Ireland Vacation
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today we’re posting from Ireland. We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the top ten travel shocks when you visit Ireland.
Ireland Vacation Shock #1: How Much the Irish Cuss
Whether you are walking down the street, or grabbing a pint in a pub, when you hear the Irish people around you talking, you’ll be shocked at how much they cuss. No matter if they are young, old, upper class, middle class, it seems everyone in Ireland loves to use curse words!
Ireland Vacation Shock #2: Irish Apologies
Another surprise is how often the Irish apologize and say “sorry.” Whether they bump into you on the street or just look at you the wrong way, you’ll likely be on the receiving end of many Irish apologies throughout your vacation. As a traveler in Ireland, it’s important to mirror this and also be very polite, using “please” “thank you” and “sorry.”
Ireland Vacation Shock #3: How Friendly the Irish Are
People in Ireland are so friendly! The bartenders, waiters, and even just people you meet on the street are all so friendly. They’re so helpful; they will stop what they are doing to help you or make recommendations of local things to see and eat. Every time we come to Ireland, we meet the most amazing Irish people.
Ireland Vacation Shock #4: The Natural Beauty of Ireland
They call Ireland the Emerald Isle because it is so green and beautiful. As you drive around Ireland, you will want to stop and take photos every ten feet. From the Ring of Kerry to the Cliffs of Moher, and so many other amazing viewpoints, you will be shocked at how gorgeous Ireland is. Yes, all that green comes from a lot of rain, but it doesn’t rain all the time in Ireland. To truly see the best of Ireland, you’ll need to rent a car rather than rely on public transportation.
Ireland Vacation Shock #5: Irish Drive on the Left, so Look Right
When you first arrive in Ireland, it’s a bit of a shock to adjust to driving on the left. As a pedestrian, you also have to keep this in mind when crossing the street; be sure to look right before crossing. There are signs everywhere to remind drivers to stay on the left. When you rent a car, you might also be shocked to learn that most rentals are manual transmission cars with a stick shift. If you aren’t familiar with a stick shift, expect to pay a significant upcharge for automatic transmission.
Ireland Vacation Shock #6: Narrow Roads in Ireland
As you drive around Ireland, you’ll be shocked at how tiny the roads are. The motorways are fine, but as you explore the backroads of Ireland, the roads are incredibly narrow. When you have a truck approaching you on these narrow roads, you may understand why the Irish swear so much! Driving in Ireland can be a shock to your system. Don’t rush, it’s OK to take your time while driving around.
Read: Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car and Driving in Europe
Ireland Vacation Shock #7: Irish Food
Irish food gets a bad rap, but it’s actually gotten way better in recent years. You will eat really well in Ireland. Irish cuisine has expanded beyond potatoes, and foodies have gotten their claws into Irish cuisine. Lamb is an Irish specialty, but you’ll also find great seafood beyond the usual fish and chips.
Watch: What to Eat in Ireland
Ireland Vacation Shock #8: Pub Culture in Ireland
The pub in Ireland is more than just a bar. The pub is where locals gather to watch sports, talk politics and drink beer. It’s really a community gathering place, and for visitors to Ireland, it’s a great place to meet locals and get insider trips for your travels. Many pubs will have live music on the weekends, too.
Ireland Vacation Shock #9: Quality of Guinness in Ireland
Guinness is a popular beer, and it tastes fine anywhere in the world, but once you’ve had Guinness in Ireland, you’ll see what you’ve been missing. It’s so fresh in Ireland and it tastes so much better, you won’t believe you’re even drinking the same beer that you know from back home.
Ireland Vacation Shock #10: Castle Ruins Around Ireland
There are so many castle ruins around Ireland. Even Blarney Castle is just ruins, there are no rooms and furnishings like you might see in other popular European castles. Some of the castle ruins in Ireland date back to the 5th century, and you can also find Neolithic ruins in Ireland.
Read: What to Know About Visiting Blarney Castle in Ireland
Ireland Vacation Shock #11: Cheap Airfare to Ireland
It’s shocking how affordable flights to Ireland are. Whether you are flying from Europe or the US, there are always flight deals to Ireland. Consider a $500 flight from Chicago to Ireland vs a $1200 flight from Chicago to Paris at the same time. With low-cost carriers like RyanAir, flying all over Europe, you can fly to Ireland cheaply, then have easy access to the rest of Europe. The money you will save on airfare to Ireland will give you a few extra dollars to spend during your Ireland vacation.
We hope these eleven tips help you prepare to visit Ireland, and lessen the shocks you have upon arrival. Have you been to Ireland? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: