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3. Myth Buster #1: All of Ireland DOESN’T drink Guinness
Irish Craft Beer
Stout is NOT the favored drink of all that are Irish – this is a massive myth buster. Guinness, Ireland’s greatest export ever, though a beverage of great taste and quality, is more of a marketing success story than anything else. Arthur Guinness was a visionary marketeer, besides being a great brewer. His success in portraying Guinness as Ireland’s signature drink is a brilliant branding case-study; but outside of the bigger cities (primarily Dublin), Guinness/stouts are not the most sought after drinks. Patrons love their local brews and are proud of them. Ales, lagers, ambers and wheat beers are enjoyed just as much if not more than a lot of stouts.
4. The Icebreaker
The favorite ice-breaker in Irish conversations is the ‘weather’ – I’ve never seen a singular topic appear with so much prominence anywhere else. In a land where you can easily experience 3-4 seasons in a day, it is understandable why the Irish love talking about their weather. Throw in a pinch of wit for good measure, and you’ll be quick to make a lot of Irish friends.
I used to live in Ireland and I’m heading back there to cycle the Wild Atlantic Way on Sunday, couldn’t be more excited hence I was happy to come across your post!! Totally agree about the pub culture but what, are you saying that leprechauns don’t exist!? 😉 Only point I didn’t get was the myth about Irish being stupid, is that a stereotype in some part of the world..?
oh, well my fascination with everything Irish began a few years ago when I discovered the charming work of one particular William Butler Yeats. I’ve been actively reading up on everything Irish since and I noticed a lot of affinity towards perceptions in certain cultures tending towards labeling the Irish as some sort of a redneck sub-sect. Might have something to do with the fabled ‘red hair’, which too is an unqualified generalization. In general though, everybody that has ever been to Ireland can think of its people as nothing but warm, friendly and charming 🙂
Are you going to be on a bicycle – it will truly be wonderful if you get some sunny days! Hope you have a good time!
Splendid photos, really made me smile. I wish to visit the land leprechauns someday.
One day soon we’ll be there. Ireland has it’s own magic, I loved my first, very short, visits.
Ireland has always been on my bucket list of places to visit – for a permanent kind of vacation 😉 Thank you for sharing so many beautiful photos!
Hello Sanket,
I am planning to go alone to Ireland this month end and can you please suggest how many days i should spend in Dublin and what all i must cover and what all over rated places i should avoid? I won’t be having much time in hand else i was planning to go to Galway – Cliffs of Moher, Cork and some more places close by.. also could you please suggest some good, budget and safe hotels/hostels?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Isha,
Dublin is beautiful, but it is like most cosmopolitan cities in the world. 2-3 days should be more than enough. Go out into the country if you want to experience local Ireland. Cliffs of Moher and Galway are very popular. I’d say Cliffs of Moher is a must do – nobody goes to Ireland and misses out on that. It really depends upon how many days you have on hand. There’s also the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula – circular roads, very beautiful to drive around. My favorite part of Ireland though was down south-west, deep into County Cork – some really beautiful villages and hamlets down there, and not quite as infested by tourist coaches as the ones mentioned above. Why don’t you drop me a note on my email with more details and I can help you out more. Happy to share some hostel recommendations too.