Ireland (primary school, food, associations)

[European17]

Originally Posted by pigeonhole

I've heard the weather is dreadful and the sea is too cold for bathing...

I swim every morning, and this summer weather is gonna be great or so they tell us.

And the weather I never felt it was too bad, i guess it depends on individual I lived in Munich from the ages of 10-14 and for me the weather is not that great, you have bitter winter and then way too hot summer.
Ok its not Sevilla but what are ya gonna do.

[J.R.]

This is the thread I have been searching for! Some friends and I are planning on going to Ireland next year for a horseback riding trip. We will use one of the agencies that specifically sets up this type of trip. But I have questions:1. What time of the year is best for riding
2. What area has the best scenary for riding
We want to se the country side, the beaches and the small villages.
Thanks.

[Potter82]

Thank you to everyone!!! All of the advice was very helpful. I just have one more question......what is the overall attitude, in Ireland, towards people that are non-caucasian? I am bi-racial and have medium tan skin....in my research of Ireland I somehow came across info on racial issues. Do you think I will have any problems? I am highly conscious of trying to "blend" in and don't want to be considered another obnoxious American...but my skin color may give me away. I am worried about this...any advice?

[northsider]

Originally Posted by Potter82

what is the overall attitude, in Ireland, towards people that are non-caucasian?

I'm in Dublin my friend. Born and raised here and believe me you'll have no problems. Have a look at some Dublin video clips on You Tube, especially those showing the city centre and you'll see people of all skin colours.

We are not known as Ireland of The Welcomes for nothing.

Failte go hEireann a chara.

(Welcome to Ireland friend.)

[Potter82]

Thank you! That makes me feel much better coming from a native

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by Potter82

Thank you to everyone!!! All of the advice was very helpful. I just have one more question......what is the overall attitude, in Ireland, towards people that are non-caucasian? I am bi-racial and have medium tan skin....in my research of Ireland I somehow came across info on racial issues. Do you think I will have any problems? I am highly conscious of trying to "blend" in and don't want to be considered another obnoxious American...but my skin color may give me away. I am worried about this...any advice?

Not a problem at all..I'm mixed race and nobody ever seemed to care or notice.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by Potter82

Thank you to everyone!!! All of the advice was very helpful. I just have one more question......what is the overall attitude, in Ireland, towards people that are non-caucasian? I am bi-racial and have medium tan skin....in my research of Ireland I somehow came across info on racial issues. Do you think I will have any problems? I am highly conscious of trying to "blend" in and don't want to be considered another obnoxious American...but my skin color may give me away. I am worried about this...any advice?

My experience in Ireland (albeit as a white) suggested to me that your skin color is less important than your ability to roll with what Ireland offers. I heard racial slurs in Ireland, but not more than I hear in the US, and perhaps fewer. The Irish like to talk to strangers, in my experience. They especially like when the strangers are not too forward, but give them a little time to size said strangers up.

Patience is the rule in Ireland, whether you're stuck behind a tractor that's being used as a family car on a rural road, or stuck behind a flock of sheep with blue and red spraypaint branding, or you're wanting to get your laundry done but the laundry people are out to lunch. There is nothing less productive than trying to push the Irish, and nothing more productive than the ability to occupy waiting time with a pint, or by chatting with shopkeepers, or exploring.

Tip: always greet the pub drunk. Most Irish pubs have one, who usually greets new entrants with a friendly smile. He (they're always male) is obviously intoxicated but almost never slurred or falling-down. What I discerned is that others in the pub quietly notice how your react to the pub drunk. So greet him in a friendly way (you aren't required to stop and chat much; they assume after all that your destination will be the bar), conveying acceptance, and then order your pint and wait. The others (bartender, patrons alike) will likely soon get curious about you, given time to make up their minds, and any questions/issues they may have had about race beforehand are unlikely to apply to you, as you seem approachable and companionable.

The thing that amazed me most is how many Irish people tried to apologize for the (steady, frequent, torrential) rain, which 'must be ruining your holiday.' What idiot goes to Ireland in November, as we did, expecting a lot of sunshine? Evidently many do, and yet for some reason the Irish felt like they should apologize for their climate being exactly as any educated person would expect it to be. It seemed correct to reassure them that we enjoyed the country rain or shine, and this did seem to relieve this odd need to apologize. Then again, having lived sixteen years in Seattle, it's not like I was taken aback by a rainy November to begin with.

[Potter82]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

My experience in Ireland (albeit as a white) suggested to me that your skin color is less important than your ability to roll with what Ireland offers. I heard racial slurs in Ireland, but not more than I hear in the US, and perhaps fewer. The Irish like to talk to strangers, in my experience. They especially like when the strangers are not too forward, but give them a little time to size said strangers up.

Patience is the rule in Ireland, whether you're stuck behind a tractor that's being used as a family car on a rural road, or stuck behind a flock of sheep with blue and red spraypaint branding, or you're wanting to get your laundry done but the laundry people are out to lunch. There is nothing less productive than trying to push the Irish, and nothing more productive than the ability to occupy waiting time with a pint, or by chatting with shopkeepers, or exploring.

Tip: always greet the pub drunk. Most Irish pubs have one, who usually greets new entrants with a friendly smile. He (they're always male) is obviously intoxicated but almost never slurred or falling-down. What I discerned is that others in the pub quietly notice how your react to the pub drunk. So greet him in a friendly way (you aren't required to stop and chat much; they assume after all that your destination will be the bar), conveying acceptance, and then order your pint and wait. The others (bartender, patrons alike) will likely soon get curious about you, given time to make up their minds, and any questions/issues they may have had about race beforehand are unlikely to apply to you, as you seem approachable and companionable.

The thing that amazed me most is how many Irish people tried to apologize for the (steady, frequent, torrential) rain, which 'must be ruining your holiday.' What idiot goes to Ireland in November, as we did, expecting a lot of sunshine? Evidently many do, and yet for some reason the Irish felt like they should apologize for their climate being exactly as any educated person would expect it to be. It seemed correct to reassure them that we enjoyed the country rain or shine, and this did seem to relieve this odd need to apologize. Then again, having lived sixteen years in Seattle, it's not like I was taken aback by a rainy November to begin with.

Thanks for your advice. I think I will be fine, then. I try to be as polite and considerate as possible no matter where I am...eventhough my experiences, so far, have been limited to the U.S. ...it never amazes me how rude most people are in this country. It almost sounds like I will fit in better in Europe.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by Potter82

Thanks for your advice. I think I will be fine, then. I try to be as polite and considerate as possible no matter where I am...eventhough my experiences, so far, have been limited to the U.S. ...it never amazes me how rude most people are in this country. It almost sounds like I will fit in better in Europe.

I heard a lot of Americans braying at top volume in Ireland, complaining about the unfamiliar, and otherwise making themselves obnoxious. Simply by not doing the above you would set yourself apart in a positive way. If you want an amusing experience, go for Chinese food and watch as they serve potatoes with it.

Suggestion: when checking into a B&B, ask the proprietress to show you how to operate the shower. Theirs work differently--usually you have to separately turn a water heater on and off. No two seem to work the same.

Wait until you get a load of the Irish toilets. My advice: firmly grasp the sink or some other object, to avoid being sucked in. The things are like jet intakes. Water-saving toilets are about as popular in Ireland as nondrinking vegans in Wisconsin, or Confederate flags in D.C.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

I heard a lot of Americans braying at top volume in Ireland, complaining about the unfamiliar, and otherwise making themselves obnoxious. Simply by not doing the above you would set yourself apart in a positive way. If you want an amusing experience, go for Chinese food and watch as they serve potatoes with it.

Suggestion: when checking into a B&B, ask the proprietress to show you how to operate the shower. Theirs work differently--usually you have to separately turn a water heater on and off. No two seem to work the same.

Wait until you get a load of the Irish toilets. My advice: firmly grasp the sink or some other object, to avoid being sucked in. The things are like jet intakes. Water-saving toilets are about as popular in Ireland as nondrinking vegans in Wisconsin, or Confederate flags in D.C.

FYI, since I think you mentioned writing a travel brochure in one one of your past posts (?) The confederate flag is often a common sight in Co Cork (i.e. the "rebel county") no offense necessary...they just don't understand the associations here in US)

Also, plenty of vegans in West Cork..as a native San Franciscan, I was surprised that many of my children's primary school classmates (far more than in San Fran) didn't eat meat/dairy! Food of choice..chicken nuggets/sausages made of "Quorn" (I think the only fake meat brand available)

Also, most new houses have those water saving toilets now..two buttons on the top..push two for big flush, and one for half flush (I had no idea what those were for..had to ask husband!) Interesting enough..there's actually an "eco village" (whole town set up eco friendly/gardening/self sustaining) in No. Co Tipperary..called Cloughjordan..sounds like a really cool place! I couldn't comment about the job market there though since it's nowhere near a city center ((retirees?))

Also, (oddly enough) some of the best places for a steak/potato/typical Irish fare would actually be some of the Chinese restaurants! (this is my Irish husband's account..I'm not so sure