You’d think our neighbours across the pond would know us well, but here are ten things British people commonly get wrong about Ireland.
Britain and Ireland may be side by side, but they couldn’t be any more different.
Yes, at one point the whole Island of Ireland belonged to the British empire, so of course, some things are similar including the language, the side of the road we drive on, and some national dishes.
However, many things are quite different.
The Brits commonly have preconceived ideas about Ireland, even if they’ve never set foot on Irish soil. So, we’re here to uncover what Ireland is really like, and what common misconceptions there are in the eyes of the British people.
Let’s take a look at ten things British people commonly get wrong about Ireland
10. We use miles – miles versus kilometres
Because the Brits still use miles, just like the Americans, they assume when they cross the pond, it will be the same in Ireland.
Yes, in Northern Ireland the road signs are in miles but don’t be fooled. Once you cross the border, you need to think in kilometres.
9. We’re British – Ireland and Northern Ireland
Funnily, with all the history of Irish independence and the troubles and so on, we assume everyone knows that Ireland is a republic.
Still, some British people refer to us as British, too, which is true for the north but not for the rest of the island.
8. We use pounds – the eurozone
British people forget or may have never known that Ireland is, in fact, part of the E.U. and uses the Euro as currency. Gone are the days when we used the Irish punt or pound.
7. We are drunken messes – the best drinkers in the world
Okay, so maybe we have that stereotype of being drunken messes on the streets of Ireland after one too many whiskeys, but that is certainly not the case.
In reality, the Irish love to socialise over a drink or five, but the difference is, we know how to handle it.
6. It’s expensive – cheap as chips, kind of
Just like London or any capital city, Dublin can be costly in the tourist spots, which is where a lot of Brits visit. But head to the local favourites in the suburbs, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the prices.
5. The Irish language – speaking Irish versus English
British people aren’t commonly aware that we have an official language aside from English.
This is one things British people commonly get wrong about Ireland, and they’re even more surprised that people in certain areas speak it as their first language.
4. The pubs are open all the time – if only this were true
We wish! The pubs in Ireland don’t open as late as you might expect.
Head out early because the pubs generally close around one or two am, but you maybe be lucky to get a lock-in, but you didn’t hear it from us.
3. You’ll only catch us eating spuds – a side of spuds with that
People love to joke about this because we are a nation of spud lovers, and rightly so, they’re delicious.
But shockingly, we have many other foods that we love, and that’s something British commonly get wrong about Ireland.
2. We never get sun – here comes the sun
Although the two islands have similar weather, Britain is always that bit warmer and clearer than Ireland.
So the British people commonly think its always raining and never sunny in Ireland.
But they’re wrong, we may not have Mediterranean summers, but we do get a few hot days per year, which we really bloody appreciate.
1. We’re all devout churchgoers – religion is becoming a thing of the past
Many people still attend a church of course, but as a country, Ireland has changed a lot over the years, especially when it comes to religion.
With a diverse society of different beliefs, more and more people are shying away from the church and finding their own way.
So there you have it: ten things British people commonly get wrong about Ireland. And, of course, there are probably more things that not only Brits get wrong about Ireland, but the world too.
It’s kind of cool to be a country that’s still being discovered for its true identity and becoming loved around the world even more than it was because of this. Ireland is undoubtedly a country like no other with a character all of its own.
