Irish people show respect through politeness (please/thank you), firm handshakes with eye contact, acknowledging others (like drivers), valuing humility, being punctual (despite stereotypes), and showing patience, especially in pubs, while avoiding abruptness and sensitive topics like politics unless invited to discuss them. Showing respect also means being easygoing but not overly effusive, understanding the round system in pubs, and not taking silence as an insult.
People will often say 'please' and 'thank you. ' For example, when getting off a bus, most people will thank the driver. Irish will usually queue in a line and wait their turn to be served. In a social setting, it is polite to shake hands with people when you first see them and again when you are leaving.
Slagging is a term used to describe a kind of harsher form of teasing. While this may seem like an insult to some, to the Irish, it's considered a behavior that shows affection or bonding, and, in some cases, is even used as a compliment.
It is generally impolite to accept on the first offer, if you are offered a second time it may be considered impolite not to accept something, even just a glass of water. If you are invited to someone's house for dinner it is polite to bring something such as a box of chocolate or a bottle of wine for the host.
For one thing, he says, Irish people want to avoid conflict. They value the relationship over being right, so in a potential conflict situation, they are likely to back down and say the magic word-sorry. It is an island after all, a small country, and you do need to get on with people.
Housing was seen as the most important issue facing the Republic of Ireland as of 2025, with 64 percent of respondents placing it as one of the top two issues facing the country.
easonórach » Dishonourable; disrespectful, insulting. easurramach » Irreverent, disrespectful; undutiful, disobedient. mímhodhúil » Disrespectful, uncivil. mí-ómósach » Disrespectful, irreverent.
The Irish are often stereotyped as being hot-tempered and eager for physical confrontation. Boxing has a long history in Ireland, and the country has produced several Olympic gold medalist boxers, including Michael Carruth, Katie Taylor, and Kellie Harrington; and UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Don't smoke indoors or drink in public
So, when visiting, please don't light up at the bar! Many people still do enjoy a smoke and there are usually designated areas outside to do so. Likewise, while public drinking in Ireland isn't banned outright in Ireland, most cities and towns do have by-laws that prohibit it.
It lacks the sexual connotations that "fuck" has. It is also used as Irish slang meaning "throw" (e.g. "he fecked the remote control across the table at me".) It has also been used as a verb meaning "to steal" (e.g. "they had fecked cash out of the rector's room") or to discover a safe method of robbery or cheating.
Avoid these cultural taboos in Ireland!
Physical Appearance. Another common sign of Irish ancestry is the red hair, pale blue eyes, and pale complexion these genes are known to depict. So, if you have the farmer's tan, freckles, or some thick, curly red hair covering your feet, it's time to check your DNA ethnic calculator.
What is a séimhiú ? A séimhiú lenites, ie makes thinner, the letter at the start of the word, which changes the sound of the word. In Irish this change is shown by adding a h after the first consonant in the word.
Common greetings include “Howaya?”, "What's the craic?" and "How's she cuttin'?" “Grand” is a word you will hear a lot in Ireland and means fine or okay. Irish people love slagging.
There are countless variations on the Irish personality, but certain traits are pretty consistent – the warmth, the wit, the passion. Yes, we're passionate! About music, about sport, about making our mark on the world. We like a good book and the person who can write one.
Warmth and Camaraderie
Indeed, the art of conversation and storytelling is an important value for many Irish and a common way to build rapport. This informality and warmth allow for an open and fluid approach between people. Indeed, public displays of emotion, affection or attachment are common and widely accepted.
What is the most common eye colour in Ireland? Blue is the most common eye colour in Ireland as half of the population. Almost 86% of the people in Ireland and Scotland have blue or green coloured eyes.
The middle finger – a big NO NO
So, if you use this in Ireland, you can expect the same response as you would anywhere else. This is one of the main rude Irish hand gestures that you should avoid at all costs, even if you encounter a careless driver, which might seem the common gesture to make.
mosánach » Grumpy, surly; complaining, carping, fault-finding. ~ a chur ar dhuine, to irritate s.o., to make s.o. feel grumpy. Tá sé faoi ~ ar fad, he is always grumpy.
The phrase "éist do bhéal" is harsher / more rude and more akin to "shut up". Hope that helps!
2. High Cost of Living. Ireland, particularly cities like Dublin, has a high cost of living. Housing is a significant expense, with rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment in Dublin averaging €1,500–€2,000 per month.
For most people, a household salary of €100,000 would put a family in the category of “rich”. And if you earned that last year, you were among the top 6.6pc of employees, Revenue figures show. The average gross pay for a PAYE worker nationwide was €42,100 in 2024, while the Dublin average was €49,500.
Ireland will have a greater proportion of elderly people in the population by 2025 and life expectancy will have increased further. Healthcare costs are likely to continue to increase and with technological advancements personalised genetic-based care will also be more pervasive.