New friends - the Irish people

Here at Learning.ie we speak with lots of international students about their experiences in this country. Time and again, they mention the friendliness of the Irish population – see for yourself in our student profiles! So if making friends with people from another culture is one of your reasons for studying abroad, then Ireland should be first on your list of destinations.

The Irish experience

As a small country with a long history of emigration, Irish people are not as insular as some you may encounter in the larger English-speaking nations. We have a natural and easygoing affinity for those seeking to settle in a new country, and most people you encounter, especially in the college, will be very forthcoming in putting you at ease and with helpful advice.

The Irish experience of different cultures has not just evolved from emigration, although this is on the rise again with the economic downturn, but also from immigration. The Celtic Tiger years, which saw massive economic growth and development during the period 1995-2007, witnessed thousands of immigrants from all continents of the world arriving on these shores in search of work.

The ‘new Irish’ arrived from all the world’s continents and integrated with local communities remarkably easily. Should you choose to stay in Ireland, you will find that the Irish are naturally curious of other cultures and ways of life, so be prepared to be at the centre of good-natured interest!

Talking about the young folks

So what can you expect from the young people of Ireland? Well most of your new friends and many acquaintances will ask you to be their Facebook friend as social media is very popular. You will also receive plenty of texts on your mobile phone. Ownership of mobiles reached 100% in Ireland back in 2005, and young people especially are highly attached to them.

Apart from technology, another Irish attribute is a passion for sport. In most countries, people are interested in one or maybe two sports. Here, your average fan is likely to enjoy soccer and rugby equally, as well as the hugely popular indigenous games of hurling and Gaelic football. Other popular recreations include golf, swimming and hiking in the beautiful countryside – all of which are available and organised by most colleges and many English language schools.

Out and about

Another consuming passion of young Irish people is music, especially when it’s live. The social life often revolves around concerts, whether by bands from the thriving local scene, or by international stars who visit Ireland on a regular basis. On an average weekend night in cities such as Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick there will always be a number of music, comedy and theatre events to choose from.

Not to mention Irish traditional music: famous across the world for its ability to liven up any social gathering. Informal ‘trad sessions’ regularly take place in rural pubs, but are equally as popular in the cities.

The Irish pub is synonymous with relaxed socialising in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and is central to a lively nightlife. Ireland may have had a negative image with regard to alcohol in the past, but thankfully things have changed and you are just as likely to see someone nursing a coffee or fruit juice as a Guinness. There are far more alternative, non-alcohol related venues for socialising in modern Ireland also, from late night cafes to affordable restaurants.

You won’t have far to travel if you feel like socialising either, as your colleges is sure to host a wide range of recreational events, from concerts to film nights, throughout the academic year.

Some tips on engaging with the Irish

Ireland has a very high standard of spoken English, but as with people all over the world, there are a number of colloquial expressions and sayings that you will not necessarily find explained in your dictionary.

For example, the word ‘grand’ is much used and indicates ‘good’ or ‘fine’ (as in: how are you? – I am grand thanks). Other examples include ‘gas’, which means ‘fun’ or ‘strange’ (e.g. he is a gas man); and ‘craic’, which indicates fun and excitement (e.g. I had a great night – there was plenty of craic).

Other traits are not confined to the language. For example, there is a commonly played out ritual of accepting an offer of something. If you are offered a cup of tea or something to eat, be prepared to have your initial response of ‘no thanks’ ignored. You will almost certainly be asked ‘are you sure?’ Irish people tend to be insistent with their generosity. And conversely, locals will often expect you to be just as tenacious with any offers you make. Irish people abroad can be baffled when their initial reply of ‘no thanks’ to a kind offer of a tasty ice cream or refreshing drink from a local is accepted without question!

These are just some of the characteristics and expressions you might come across during your stay in Ireland. Learning to understand and recognise them is all part of the fun of studying abroad!