Things you love about Ireland..

Tell me how · 08-06-2017 12:15AM

In no particular order.

1 That someone else decided it was worth starting this thread. Every time I saw the other one I thought of starting this.

2 The scenery. Some breath taking sights that we're so familiar with we no longer hardly see

3 The "it'll be grand attitude". Guess what, a positive attitude helps everyone, including yourself, way more than pessimism. If you don't like something, try and change it.

4 GAA. Entertaining, promotes community spirit and is unique to Ireland.

5 The humour. Really really really love this. It's every where, small comments on public transport, witty comebacks, and some people's ability to tell a story has my side's splitting.

Persephone kindness · 08-06-2017 12:19AM

I just like it because it is home. If i moved to Spain i would like Spain because it's home.

I know that doesn't seem like a lot. But i like home. So I might move to Spain or wherever. But for now ..this is home. I like home.

threeball · 08-06-2017 12:38AM

Watched Ross Kemp in Honduras last night travelling with migrants escaping gangs, running the risk of rape and murder through mexico. Where on a train holding 1500 people only 100 would actually make it into the states and all you have here is gobdaws going "well I can't think of anything good about Ireland". Fcukin clowns, absolutely no thought for how lucky you are to either be born or live here. Easily one of the top twenty places to live on this planet.

threeball · 08-06-2017 12:46AM

Persephone kindness wrote: »

I just like it because it is home. If i moved to Spain i would like Spain because it's home.

I know that doesn't seem like a lot. But i like home. So I might move to Spain or wherever. But for now ..this is home. I like home.

Utter bollox. I'd doubt you'd fancy Syria if that was home.

What's wrong with saying I like Ireland because for all its faults its an outstanding place to live.

Tom Mann Centuria · 08-06-2017 12:53AM

I've lived here for 15 years, from England. Generally speaking, people are friendlier (think also nosiness goes hand in hand with this!), plenty of of green spaces between the urban centres, pace of life is that bit slower, it's less right wing politically than England and I'm glad I moved here and won't ever go back to England to live (though will always consider myself English).

There's plenty good about Ireland, and the problems and downsides here are no different from the problems and downsides in the rest of the world.

Dirty Dingus McGee · 08-06-2017 12:53AM

threeball wrote: »

Utter bollox. I'd doubt you'd fancy Syria if that was home.

What's wrong with saying I like Ireland because for all its faults its an outstanding place to live.

I don't think the people in Syria actually want to leave.They're being forced to leave because their country is now a war zone, assuming your country doesn't turn into a war zone then the Syrians would probably want to stay where they are also.

the_syco · 08-06-2017 01:11AM

Jambons. Can't find them over here in Toronto

Also, potato waffles.

Junkyard Tom · 08-06-2017 01:15AM

The twinkle in a pig's eye.

davepatr07 · 08-06-2017 01:53AM

Having lived in NZ, Oz and Canada, I still rank Ireland up there in terms of being a great country.

What I've learnt from travelling and living abroad is that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the world, and that even the supposidly best countries to live in have their faults which are not apparent until you live and work in them.

The people, sense of humour, culture, history, music and indeed low cost of food/travel (compared to NZ anyway) are just some of the things I still love about Ireland. True we have our faults but the problem is we tend to look too much on the negative and not the positive.

Many a time I've heard people who visited Ireland say it's one of the best places they have been to on holiday or those that haven't been have it on their travel bucket list.

Ta mé fós bródúil as a bheith nGaeilge.

mikeymouse · 08-06-2017 08:33AM

That little fingers up salute from the steering wheel and eye contact with
passing drivers,especially in the country.
I spend about 6 months a year in Ireland and when back in UK ,
it takes a while to stop saluting complete strangers, and getting funny looks.
Taking time to stop for a chat .
I found myself stopped behind 2 drivers chatting
and was surprised to find I was bemused rather than annoyed.

tomwaterford · 08-06-2017 09:08AM

Hurling....there really is nothing to appreach it in terms of sporting entertainment and skills required (read once there's 99 different skills can be mastered)

and also no wild animals that can kill you

Allinall · 08-06-2017 09:20AM

tomwaterford wrote: »

and also no wild animals that can kill you

Check out the Red LUAS thread over on C & T. -:)

Father Hernandez · 08-06-2017 10:04AM

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Departures Dublin airport

I originally read this as the departures bar in Dublin Airport.

You won't find anywhere quite like it anywhere in the world. It's completely unique that it could be 6am or 6pm and the bar is completely rammed and the majority of Irish traveling abroad have had a drink in there.

It's a sight to behold

Boom_Bap · 08-06-2017 10:15AM

Ireland is deadly!

Crack everywhere.

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buried · 08-06-2017 12:55PM

The folklore, myths and local legends.
The place where I live, still has the people who tell these fantastic tales about the 'other crowd'.
Big black dogs the size of a car skulking around the middle of fields, blink your eyes and the next 10th of a second they are gone. Banshee's, piseogs, witchcraft, ghosts...find a local Irish person with stories about those kind of subjects, someone who can tell them well its better than any trip to see whatever souless Hollywood muck is on in the Gomniplex. Something about the 'shiver' in the rural Irish accent mixed with the descriptions of the landscape in these tales. Frightens the p!ss out of you

BetsyEllen · 08-06-2017 12:59PM

Sounds cliché but the people - I love that everyone is a bit mad.
I love that you're all obsessed with who died and you'll go to anyone's funeral.
I'm English - I wasn't meant to live in Ireland long term but I'm here almost 9 years now and it's purely because of the people that I stayed.

I also love the music, you can't beat it.
And to quote the poster before me, the folklore, myths and local legends.

Finally, I love that the country is so small and you can get anywhere really easily.

valoren · 08-06-2017 02:03PM

Jesus Wept wrote: »

It says a lot about you rather than the country.

That was implied by what I said :pac:

buried · 09-06-2017 12:35AM

The drama. The absolute drama of being in the very existence of the goings on in whatever part of the island, no matter where you are.

This is why Irish people are such great dramatists and storytellers. The whole island breeds drama and story. Its engraved into our psyche. The very landscape and environment we exist in, the very place totally screams it.

W.B. Yeats, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Brendan Behan, Flann O'Brien, Sean O'Casey, Samuel Beckett, Seamus Heaney, John B. Keane, Roddy Doyle, Conor Mc Pherson, Kevin Barry, etc etc.............

Names like these will be remembered generations from now, and they all came and wrote their works from here. Never forget it.

Widdershins · 09-06-2017 11:14AM

It is a magical country. It feels alive. Some places are soulless, and the people match the place.

SarahMollie · 09-06-2017 11:23AM

Yeah I find it hard to put my finger on itbut I wouldnt really want to live anywhere else. In my line of work, a move to the the UK is always on offer and would probably be very lucrative, but on balance I think I'm happier to stay here. If I moved, my work/life balance would dis-improve (commuting/working hours etc) and also, while I love visiting central London for example, I find most of the UK a bit soulless. Also, a lot of the food there is ****e.

Obviously, wish we'd slightly better weather, but heyho, its character building.

murpho999 · 09-06-2017 11:31AM

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Whether is car insurance, car tax, water charges, tv license ,fuel cost, heating costs , so on the people are kept down , not allowed to get ahead.
But they're so nice eh .

Do you think people in other countries don't have bills?

pilly · 09-06-2017 11:35AM

Fresh air is my number 1. People moan about the weather here but every time I go away my favourite part of coming back is breathing in the fresh air we have here, it's beautiful. Almost always have a breeze which I love.

After a summer spent in Madrid once I thought I'd never breathe properly again.

Beautiful surroundings is my number 2. Some amazing places all over Ireland, so many that I haven't even seen them all yet.

Meat is my number 3. Very few countries can beat our beef although I still don't understand the price of it in a country full of cows.

I know loads will say the Irish people but lets face it you can find them in every country in the world.

Widdershins · 09-06-2017 11:37AM

pilly wrote: »

Fresh air is my number 1. People moan about the weather here but every time I go away my favourite part of coming back is breathing in the fresh air we have here, it's beautiful. Almost always have a breeze which I love.

After a summer spent in Madrid once I thought I'd never breathe properly again.

Beautiful surroundings is my number 2. Some amazing places all over Ireland, so many that I haven't even seen them all yet.

Meat is my number 3. Very few countries can beat our beef although I still don't understand the price of it in a country full of cows.

I know loads will say the Irish people but lets face it you can find them in every country in the world.

Yes..we're like a kind of..positive disease..

Alun · 09-06-2017 11:38AM

pilly wrote: »

Fresh air is my number 1. People moan about the weather here but every time I go away my favourite part of coming back is breathing in the fresh air we have here, it's beautiful. Almost always have a breeze which I love.

After a summer spent in Madrid once I thought I'd never breathe properly again.

I agree. I lived in central Germany for many years, and the summers especially were stifling, with very little air movement, only punctuated by the odd violent thunderstorm. We had some visitors over recently from the town where we lived, and after just a brief 1 hour walk along the cliff walk in Bray they were falling asleep on the couch when they got back. They just weren't used to all that fresh air.

Burial. · 09-06-2017 11:43AM

Camogie women. They're mad for the hop.

murpho999 · 09-06-2017 11:46AM

Here’s what I like in no particular order.

Our food, it has come on in leaps and bounds and you can eat very well here with great quality fresh ingredients

Irish people’s sense of humour. Lived abroad and they’re just not the same.

Relaxed attitude to life: again you don’t realise that we’re pretty laid back and just go with the flow regarding nights out etc

Hard working mentality.

Ireland’s love of music. Really it’s way ahead and part of life here.

A proper pint of Guinness is lovely and can only be found in decent pubs in Ireland

The scenery, some beautiful unspoilt spots. Such as Wicklow Mountains, Kerry, Donegal etc. Living in flat featureless Netherlands made me appreciate what we have here.

Even Dublin has some great scenery along the coast. Dalkey to Killiney on the Dart is just stunning.

Real Irish pubs.

Chippers

Safety: Despite what people think or say, crime is actually low here and you are very safe

I love that Ireland is a republic and not a monarchy.

Proper breakfasts, not just fries.

Castles

Our history, especially the struggle for home rule and independence.

pilly · 09-06-2017 11:48AM

Oh I forgot chipper food!! I know they're mainly Italian but I've just never gotten as nice a bag of chips anywhere else.

harr · 09-06-2017 11:56AM

For me

the people and our sense of humour and being able to take a good slagging.

The Irish pub, I don't drink a terrible lot anymore but even for a toasted ham and cheese with a coffee..you will always find someone to chat to.

Our history and legends and our story telling...

The landscape and no matter where you are you are only a few hours away from the sea.

Our ability to turn any occasion into a session.

A strange one but our use of bad language in every day conversation,it tends to shock any relatives I have over visiting and it takes them a couple of days to get used to it.

MarcusP12 · 09-06-2017 01:54PM

I think most people have already covered all the things which make our country great....I'm currently on a work assignment for a few years in the Middle East and it really makes me appreciate home even more.....all those people who moan about the weather, the cost of things, could do with broadening their minds and living abroad for a couple of years to give themselves proper perspective. Sure Ireland has many faults but there's no where id rather live, and I've lived abroad more than once.

One thing I do love is being Irish abroad. Everyone loves you. Kind of helps that we've never invaded other countries (officially at least!) so we're generally well received most places! I see that as a reflection in us of all that is good about the country.

farmchoice · 09-06-2017 01:57PM

harr wrote: »

For me

the people and our sense of humour and being able to take a good slagging.

The Irish pub, I don't drink a terrible lot anymore but even for a toasted ham and cheese with a coffee..you will always find someone to chat to.

Our history and legends and our story telling...

The landscape and no matter where you are you are only a few hours away from the sea.

Our ability to turn any occasion into a session.

A strange one but our use of bad language in every day conversation,it tends to shock any relatives I have over visiting and it takes them a couple of days to get used to it.

i do love this as well, the english are great swearers as well but it tends to be more aggressive then Irish swearing.

Irish people can use really bad language in a soft teasing humorous way. and the most unlikely people car swear a blue streak

we had Americans visiting our house a few years a go and it really took them a while to get used to my 70 year old retired teacher mother referring to her grandchildren as ''little *****'' the way it was said could only be described as ''loving'' i dont think any other nationality can pull that off.

Things you love about Ireland..

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