Quick question from Ireland for Austin.. (Dallas, Galveston: how much, home, university)

[Penguinssmell]

Hey guys, i was just wondering do you get many Irish people visiting Austin during the summer months? Thousands of Irish students take part in a work and travel programme to the states every year, but i've never really heard of any going to Texas, they mostly stick to the coasts. So i was wondering do any wander down your way and what kind of reception do they get or are they well behaved? Or perhaps is there already an Irish contingent in Austin at all, seems to be a couple irish bars? I was thinking about checking out north carolina this summer, or possibly Tennessee but i'm not sure, but i dont want to travel all the way over there to find groups of irish ppl as some of them do seem to go there. I guess i'm just wondering wud Austin be a good place for a 22 yr old irish man to spend the summer making friends and working, or are there better places u'd reccomend? Thanks!

[Moonlady]

Well, since no one else answered you, I will. There really isn't an Irish contingent in Austin. The Irish bars are just a "theme" more so than an actual Irish pub. Just to give you an idea, I only usually see about 10% of people at work wearing green on St Paddy's Day. So, there's a pretty good chance you'll experience something other than "groups of Irish people" here in Austin.

The people are friendly though and you'll probably get a warm welcome and make some Texan friends. Austin is a college town, so you'll probably find a lot to like about it.

North Carolina is nice, but I'd pick Texas over Tennesee.

Hope this helps!

[Trainwreck20]

Statistically, Irish-American is the number one ancestory group in the US. As such, There are millions of second, third, or more generation Irish (me included ). As for visitors, I can't say that I have noticed, but I really rarely notice tourists anyway unless you are down in Zilker park ro something. It is hard to know who is a tourist vs. who is a recent transplant/worker from elsewhere.

I did a stint working in the Galveston area, and there is a large number of sailors from Ireland/England, but again, not sure on the tourists.

And not to speak for everyone, but most people around here are pretty interested in foreign tourists in general, especially ones that speak (almost) the same language . If anyone is not 'well behaved', it is probably because they are hanging out with the local not well behaved crowd. I can't imagine anyone giving you a hard time for being an Irish tourist. I know (from first hand experience) that there are some enclaves on the east coast that still have some sort of Italian vs. Irish mentality, but I haven't every seen that here. There are more concentrated areas of Irish in New England than there are in most of Texas, or the rest of the south for that matter.

What kind of work are you looking for? Austin does have a somewhat younger population, so that would match your interests. There are some nice areas in both TN and NC, especially if you are looking for mountains. Austin is more of the hilly type area, with old oak trees as opposed to tall pines or ash.

Also, I don't know how much you have travelled, but it IS hot in Texas in the summer...and you could realistically go the whole summer without seeing a drop of rain.....

[Penguinssmell]

Everybody seems to have an awful lot of good things to say about Austin which is one of the reasons why i'd consider it. That sounds good about the lack of irish, it just seems stupid to me to travel half way round the world to hang out with ppl who live in the next town to u back home.


I'd mainly be looking for bar work, possibly in an irish bar! I'm a barman over here so i have a few years experience. Also i wudnt mind mayb some type of soccer coaching job, but i'm not sure how popular soccer is in texas.


I have travelled a bit, i spent the summer in california a couple years ago. And not seeing any rain sounds pretty good to me

[neddy]

There may not be loads of Irish but there are scots a plenty here. I have some Scottish friends and most of the Scots are in South Austin but spread all over. There is one authentic Irish pub here they have told be along with a Scottish place downtown that has really good food they have also told me. There is a Celtic football team here and during the South by Southwest musicfest they seemed to be happy with the number of UK local type bands that made the trip over. Good luck to you.

[Penguinssmell]

Thanks neddy, i'm surprised theres a lot of scots there seems quite random!..but scots and irish generally get on very well so i cudnt see a problem there (probly due to the celtic conection!) Also the fact that theres a football team there is very good to know!

[WillysB]

There's plenty of bars in Austin, as well as most major cities in Texas but you may run into 'right to work in the U.S.' problems. Also, in Texas many bars require that you have completed the TABC certification, about $25US and can be completed online in 3 to 4 hours. Search TABC and just choose any online course.

You'll have a better time in Austin than most any major city in the U.S. that is not coastal. Austin is home to the University of Texas, the largest university in Texas. Also, it is the state capital. Both are located near downtown, or in your case 6th Street, the local party zone.

Don't worry about meeting up with other Irish. Most of them will be older and you'd recognize them as tourists, doing the touristy thing. Everyone else will just look Irish and you'll blend right in.

Come on down, we'll keep a light on and the drinks cold for ya.

[readymade]

Austin is great. There are a ton of pubs & fun stuff to do. I haven't encountered any Irish people here in the 5 months I've been here, but everyone is very friendly. If you want to hang out with tons of Irish people in more authentic pubs (or have a genuine Irish breakfast), Boston is your place to go. You'll feel right at home there. Certain parts are kind of like a mini-Ireland! Austin will be 95+ degrees in the summer, so keep that in mind. You'll stand out more in Austin (in a good way) and people will freak out over your Irish accent here more than in Boston. Both places are great.

[TexasHorseLady]

I know that Dallas has a major Irish festival every year - this I know from the Irish ex-pats who attend it/help put it on.

We do have the Austin Celtic Association.

I'd say you'd be more than welcome here, and have a blast, as well!

[Penguinssmell]

Hey guys, thanks a million for the replies. To WillysB, the visa which i will be coming on is a working visa so i have no problems there. I already have my social security number and all. This party town idea sounds pretty good to me..and in plus 95c weather the beers at least better be cold!

I've heard great things about Boston but I'm not really looking to do the Irish thing in america for the summer, cause i live hear all year round anyway! Austin sounds perfect guys thanks. I mite even check out that irish festival in dallas if i can make it over there.