This Is The Ultimate A-Z Guide To Ireland

clodagh

For a small country, Ireland can a pack a lot inside its walls. From culture to food, to viewpoints to music, Ireland has it all – not that I’m biased, of course. Have read of the A-Z’s of Ireland and see if you’re aware of all that Ireland has to offer.

Achill

An underrated scenic area of our country. Pay a visit there to practice your cúpla focal or to take in the views on top of Croaghaun Mountain, one of the highest cliffs in Europe.

Bono

A national treasure? Not quite, but it would a form of light treason if he were left off the list.

Craic

Something you can have, be or miss out on. There is no one, true definition of craic, but if you come to Ireland, you’ll find lots.

Drink

I’m not one for stereotypes, but if you do come to Ireland, you will not fall short of places to drink. You might even get lucky and witness a real, true life, lock-in.

Enya

An Irish icon. If you don’t recognise her name, you will recognise her voice. Orinocco flow, anyone?

Feck

A less severe and harsh way of swearing. The Irish way.

Grand

A word with many meanings and no doubt a staple in the Irish vocabulary. Good luck to you trying to figure out if something was just grand, or if it grand!

Hurling

A firm favourite among tourists. If you’re in Ireland, take the time to see a hurling match and you won’t be disappointed. It has to be seen to be believed.

Irish

I’m not talking about the people, but the language. While we may have forgotten what we learnt in school bar the ‘aul “tá an ghrian ag taitneamh”, you can still find traces of the language around the country, like signs are written in English and Irish.

Jameson

Want to see how your favourite whiskey is made? Take a tour of the Jameson Whiskey Distillery in Dublin or Cork, where you will get to experience a whiskey tasting where the good stuff is produced.

Kerrygold

There never has been, nor will there ever be, a butter that surpasses Kerrygold.

The Late Late Show

Trying to explain this to someone outside Ireland is near impossible, but let me try. Imagine a TV talk show that everyone loves to hate, claim they don’t watch yet try desperately to get to tickets to. It’s equal amounts cringe-inducing and entertaining.

Music

If the only Irish song you know if Danny Boy, then shame on you. If you also like Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl, then double shame on you. There is much better Irish music out there, trust me.

Newgrange

This 5,200 year old monument located in Co. Meath outranks the Great Pyramids of Giza in terms of age. It’s best known for its beam of lights that illuminates the temple on the Winter Solstice, so if you time your visit right, you’re in for a treat.

Oysters

Believe it or not, but Ireland is one of the biggest oyster exporters in Europe. This is celebrated every September in Galway at the International Oyster and Seafood Festival.

Penneys

Much more than a word added to the end of, “aw, thanks”, Penneys is the go-to shop for everyone in Ireland. We will never cease to be amazed at how cheap the items are.

Q102

If you’re in the mood for some tunes of time gone by, then Q102 has you covered. The Love Zone has some exceptionally good ones for you to sing along to with your glass of wine.

Riverdance

While we may attempt to recreate the movements of Michael Flatley and co. on a night out, nothing will beat the original.

St. Patrick

He may not have driven out all the snakes exactly, but he gives everyone a day off and a subsequent hangover every year. Fair play.

Tea

We drink a lot of it here in Ireland. A lot. Make sure you have your favourite mug and your answer ready to the ultimate question, “Barry’s or Lyons?”.

Ulysses

The book we all claim to have read and understood, just to please the tourists.

Vicar Street

A cosy venue for concerts and comedy nights in Dublin. It always proves a good venue for intimate shows and is right around the corner from several perfect after-show scoops.

Westlife

Did songs even have key changes in them before Westlife came along with their stools? The answer is unclear. Through all their ups and downs (I’m looking at you, Brian), we’re still hoping for a reunion tour.