Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3.
Know what country you're in
Northern Ireland (dark) and the Republic of Ireland (light yellow)
This should be obvious. But you'd be surprised how many travelers move between the Re-
public of Ireland and the U.K. without realizing that they've changed countries. It's pretty
simple, though: the northeast corner of the island is Northern Ireland. They are part of the
United Kingdom and use the Pound. The rest of the island is the Republic of Ireland, which
is an independent country and is on the Euro. It was not even a hundred years ago that this
part of Ireland fought a bloody war to win their independence from the U.K., and they will
not soon forget the differences between themselves and the British - you shouldn't either.
(Similarly, don't confuse the Irish with their distant Celtic cousins, the Scottish.)
4.
Tip modestly, but not TOO modestly
Tipping is a relatively new phenomenon in Ireland, where barkeeps and waiters were nor-
mally paid a living wage - they didn't live on tips the way service workers often do in
America. However, this is changing and it's now customary to tip those who serve your
food and drinks, especially in more heavily touristic areas like Dublin and Belfast. 10-15%
for good service is usually fine.
5.
Think before you drink
The Irish love a good time, but they also expect everyone to know their limits and never
drink to excess. If you find yourself vomiting, invading people's personal space, or acting
inappropriately, your drunkenness will not be seen as an excuse, and certainly won't be
viewed as cute or funny. You'll just embarrass yourself and irritate the locals. Be smart!
