7 Things That Make The Irish So Dang Lovable (& Why You Gotta Visit)

UPDATED FEB 2020. Warning: generalizations ahead. Whenever anyone is speaking about people in a category as big as their home country, there are generalizations. I admit this straight up. I’m aware that not all Irish people will fit the mold of what I am sharing today. Still, I wanted to share this lighthearted post about things that make the Irish so dang lovable because I was treated so well during my visit, and, well, my four nights there made me an expert. Of course, I’m qualified to write this overly generalized post. If you had been thinking about planning your own visit, here are 7 more reasons why you should book those flights.

7 Things That Make The Irish So Dang Lovable (& Why You Gotta Visit)

Irish people have cool accents

There’s something quite enchanting about the Irish accents.

I honestly think I could have spent each day just listening to people talk. The accents, which differ slightly as you travel around Ireland, have sounds that always put a smile on my face as I listened to them.

In some cases, like the time I met a lady in the line for a restroom in Cork, people use a lot of slang and be damn near impossible to understand. It’s an “I know you’re speaking English but I have no idea what you’re saying” moment.

In any event, though, I think one thing that makes Irish people so lovable is their cool sounding accents.

Irish people are so welcoming and friendly

Irish people have to be some of the most friendly people I have ever met.

You know, the ‘give you the shirt off their back’ type of friendliness that makes the world feel like a better place.

I’ve never felt so welcome as I did in Ireland because all of the people I met were kind, welcoming and quick to share a laugh or some stories over a cup of tea.

I’m sure that you will experience this too simply by walking around and interacting with people, but if you want to experience the best in Irish hospitality, book your stay at either Number 31 or Stauntons on the Green in Dublin. I stayed at both of these during my visit and the cozy surroundings and friendly staff were a couple of the reasons I felt so welcome in Ireland.

Irish people tell it like it is

Now don’t confuse their friendliness with thinking they are always agreeable or telling you what you want to hear.

I noticed that the Irish people won’t be shy about telling you how it is. I love this because I found that when I was talking to people in Ireland it was easy to have a real conversation where you get honest answers and thoughts.

Of course, I am only basing this on my interactions but I noticed that they weren’t honest in a way that is confrontational or aggressive and they weren’t out on a mission to offend others. It was more of an openness where they gave you unfiltered truth.

In today’s day and age where we all tiptoe around things, I really loved this. I think it made our conversations so much more interesting and made the people even more lovable.

Irish people have figured out work-life balance

Because after all, life is meant to be enjoyed.

In Ireland there seemed to be more of an attitude of work to live as opposed to living to work and, when the capital city has over 1500 hectares of public parks breaking up the concrete jungle vibes, it’s easy to get perspective and slow down.

Nature has a way of offering that reminder.

Many people I spoke with talked about the importance of working hard at their respective careers, there’s definitely no doubt that they are hard workers, but also the importance of dedicating time to hobbies, community, and family.

They seemed to have it figured out well.

The Irish people are awesome storytellers

Perhaps the reason Irish people are so easy to listen to is not only their accents but because of their ability to tell a story.

Storytelling is much different from simply chatting or recounting events. When someone is a storyteller they keep it interesting with their delivery and have a way of reeling you in. You feel like you are in the story they are telling.

It’s almost like a form of art.

I found that the Irish people I met were fluent in this art form. Whether it was a tour guide passing along historic tales of an area, B&B owners telling me about their childhood, or my kayak guide sharing his thoughts on the tour, they all had a way of communicating the stories in a way that had me hooked on every word.

Irish people love a good pub

‘This village coming up on the left is pretty big, it’s a 7 pub village’ and ‘it’s a small village, only two pubs’ were a couple of the phrases I heard during my visit.

Villages are described not with the population or age, but instead by using the number of pubs that they contain.

It’s possibly the coolest measuring stick for towns and definitely one thing that makes the Irish so dang lovable.

Aside from that, pub culture is pretty big in Ireland and it won’t be too hard to find one. I was told that you have two elbows – one for leaning on the bar and the other for nudging tourists in the crowded pub.

Make sure you stop in at a pub for a pint. Or two, or three. You can make some new friends and of course, listen to some of the stories delivered in the cool accents.

Irish people are laid-back

Finally, the last thing that made the Irish so dang lovable for me, was their laid-back nature.

Maybe it stems from the work-life balance I mentioned. Or perhaps it is just how they are wired. But I found most people, and particularly once you left the big city, to be laid back and easy going.

When organizing pick up times in Cork it was ‘7-ish’, which for an uptight planner like myself made me worry about being too early or late.

But to the Irish folk, it was all ‘no worries’. It definitely makes for a nice holiday when the people you’re interacting with are relaxed and laid back.

If you liked this post, I think you’ll also love this post on Irish stereotypes that are actually true on The World Bucket List.

Other guides to help you plan a trip to Ireland

• Dublin Bed And Breakfast Options For Solo Female Travelers

• Why Night Kayaking In Ireland Is The Adventure You Can’t Miss

• Solo Female Travel In Dublin – How To Plan An Extraordinary Trip

If you liked this, return the favor by sharing it or following me on Instagram!