Conversations

It is very important to ask the person you are greeting how they are doing, even if you don’t get an answer. Irish people usually greet each other with ‘How are you?’, but this is really just a greeting and does not require a response such as ‘I’m fine’ or even a longer explanation. The best way to respond to the question is with the same question, which then leads to a conversation like this: A: ‘Hi, how are you? B: Hi, how are you?’

Irish language

Upon arrival at the airport, it is immediately apparent that all signs are bilingual. All official documents and signage must be in both English and Irish (Gaeilge [ˈɡeːlʲɟə]), i.e. both official languages. Irish is also taught as a compulsory subject in schools. Most Irish people therefore have at least a basic knowledge of Irish from their school days. In general, however, English is spoken in everyday life, but there are certain regions, known as Gaeltacht, where Irish is the main language spoken. It is estimated that around 40,000 to 80,000 people have Gaeilge as their mother tongue.

Culture of tea

The Irish are known for their love of tea, and this is evident in everyday life. For example, you are often invited to have a cup of tea, and when you enter a house, the first question is usually, ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ Or colloquially, ‘Would you like a cuppa?’
Black tea is typically drunk, with milk and/or sugar added as desired. Fruit or herbal teas are rather rare in Ireland, and when tea is mentioned, it always refers to black tea.

Food culture

Irish food culture differs greatly from German food culture, especially when it comes to breakfast. While a German breakfast table usually features fresh bread rolls and jam, a typical Irish breakfast would be described as hearty, as it usually includes sausages, black and white pudding (blood pudding), eggs, tomatoes, beans (baked beans in a kind of tomato sauce), hash browns (similar to potato pancakes) and toast. When Irish people talk about ‘toast’, they always mean bread that has actually been in the toaster, not just toast bread. Of course, this extensive breakfast is not served every day, but mainly on weekends and public holidays, for example. During the week, toast is usually eaten for breakfast. You will find a typical Irish breakfast on the menu in almost every restaurant/café.
Another dish that is always on the menu is the traditional fish and chips (breaded fish, usually cod or haddock, served with chips). Especially in rural areas, the typical traditional dish of bacon and cabbage (ham and cabbage, served with potatoes and parsley sauce) is often eaten.
When eating in an Irish restaurant, you will often be given a jug of water, but this is usually tap water, which often contains a lot of chlorine.
It is customary to tip in Ireland, with 10 to 15% being the norm.

Pub culture

Who hasn’t heard of them? Irish pubs! When you think of the Emerald Isle, Guinness and pubs are sure to spring to mind. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, it is customary in Ireland for everyone to buy a round of drinks at some point. It is also considered rude to refuse a drink that has been offered to you. The last round in the pub is usually signalled by turning the lights off and on again. Of course, no good pub would be complete without live music!

Spontaneity

Just as many Germans love planning and organising, the Irish love spontaneity. Plans in Ireland tend to be made spontaneously and everything is viewed in a more relaxed manner.
Whereas Germans often take a casual invitation very seriously, in Ireland it can happen that the invitation was only made out of politeness and it is not expected that it will actually be accepted. Nevertheless, the Irish are very hospitable and generally follow the motto: The more the merrier!

Superstition

The Irish are very superstitious, and so you often encounter a wide variety of superstitions in everyday life. For example, you must never open an umbrella indoors, as this brings bad luck, just like seeing a single magpie; two magpies together, on the other hand, are said to bring joy. If you accidentally put a jumper on backwards, you must not take it off to put it on the right way round, as this is also said to bring bad luck.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

GAA

If you spend some time in Ireland, you will definitely come across the term ‘GAA’. The abbreviation stands for the Gaelic Athletic Association and encompasses the six traditional sports of hurling, Gaelic football, handball, rounders, camogie (women’s hurling) and ladies‘ football. The association also organises and promotes other traditional cultural leisure activities.

IRFU

The term ‘IRFU’ is also frequently seen in Ireland. No wonder, as it stands for ‘Irish Rugby Football Union’, and rugby is probably one of the most popular sports in Ireland alongside GAA sports.