What do you know about Ireland or the Irish?

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Hi
I am an Italian and I really love Ireland and the Irish.
I have put all the things that I know in my own website:
www.lamiairlanda.com (which means: "my Ireland")
If you have a look at it you'll find out waht I know about your wonderful country and Irish people.
The site is not finished yet because there is a lot more to write and add, but I am currently working on it because I really would like other people to understand that Ireland is a great country, with its own cultural identity and heritage.

Any suggestions or criticisms from you or any other user are more than welcome!

Bye from Italy!
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Well, personally I prefer Continental Europeans. Don't think that saying an Irish woman has 'simple tastes' will a) be considered complimentary b) give the impression that you don't think Ireland is the set of the film The Quiet Man because those days are LONG gone and c) it's all lovely coastline and wild birds and gales sweeping across the boglands. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but nobody is going to give a flying f*ck where your ancestors came from. Really. The general reaction to your announcement that you're of Irish ancestry will most likely be: 'Yes, and?' This is because EVERY AMERICAN ANY OF US HAS EVER MET goes on and on about their Irish relatives and how their grand father's sister's cousin's whatever still lives in some part of Ireland, and do we know them. If you do come here, don't refer to yourself as 'Irish'. Over here, you're not Irish. You're American. In the US, 'Irish' is an ethnic group. In Europe, it's a nationality. Understand this fine distinction and you'll be fine. They might find your accent nice. It is cute, the southern accent. Oh, most people here listen to rock music. 'Celtic' music - no. Call it Irish folk or Irish 'trad' - (short for traditional). Celtic music covers all folk music from Western Europe in general, from Norway all the way down to Northern Africa....Show more

I know a little of how the English came in and tried to dominate your country. The rural parts of the country seem lovely but I know nothing of the urban areas. I think the Irish have deep societal emotional scars they bear, similar to the Blacks in the United States - because they are a proud people with a beautiful heritage and they were unfairly treated by English rule. the Catholic Church has certainly helped shape the culture with heavy doses of guilt. I am from a part of the Southern US where Catholicism dominates the culture and societal guilt tinges the culture. Some cultures drink/abuse more alcohol than others and I think there has been a reputation earned in that respect.

However, I want very much to experience the people, the culture, the reality for myself rather than base my thoughts strictly on other people's takes and rumors, historical fiction, and the media. ...Show more

omg I'm envious of you!

I live in the US but am of Irish descent, and going to Ireland is my dream! It looks so beautiful! And Dublin looks like such a fun place. I hear it never sleeps, but I also hear it's really expensive there.

Also I always thought it was super religious until recently I found out most people there actually aren't hardcore religious.

And it's the country with the most redheads....Show more

I stopped by Shannon and I found a new respect for the Irish. You guys drink pure unleaded fuel. ...Show more