Ireland Dos and Don’ts

Before reading

What does this title suggest to you? What do you think the text is going to be about?

While reading

Read the text below and answer these questions: What type of text is it? Where do you think it comes from? 

Next, read the text once again, attentively this time, and answer the comprehension questions below.

Text by Clifton Wilkinson.

As long as there’s conviviality in the air, and a “round” on its way, the Irish will forgive almost any faux pas. The weather, however, is less forgiving. Here are our staff’s tips for making your trip to Ireland unforgettable (in a good way).

Do…

• Get off the beaten track. For every site attracting throngs of visitors, such as the Cliffs of Moher, there’s an equally impressive one, like Slieve League, Donegal, with just the wind and/or rain for company.

• Get a round in at the pub - even if your fellow drinkers haven’t finished the one they’re on. The easiest way to lose new friends in Ireland is to be tightfisted at the pub.

• Take waterproof clothing. Umbrellas are pretty useless when you’re battling against horizontal rain.

• Reuse your plastic bags. The Republic’s hugely successful scheme has cut plastic bag consumption by 90% since 2002.

• Learn a couple of words of Gaeilge (Irish) – dia duit (dee-ah gwit; hello) is always useful, as is Ní ólfaidh mé go brách arís (knee ohl-hee mey gu brawkh u-reeshch; I’m never ever drinking again).

Don’t…

• Be offended if people start gently making fun of you. “Slagging”, as it’s known, is almost a national pastime and the more someone likes you the more slagging you should expect.

• Ask people if they’ve ever seen a leprechaun - they won’t have. Don’t say “begorrah” - they’ll just shake their heads. And be sure not to say “to be sure”.

• Worry about your liver too much. Alcohol oils the famous sociability of the Irish and refusing a drink will have the same effect as asking about leprechauns.

• Criticise Ireland. The Irish can find something or other wrong with just about every aspect of their country (the Church, the economy and politicians being the biggest bugbears) but don’t appreciate outsiders doing the same.

• Look horrified at the prices of things in the South. Eating out in particular can be very expensive but quality has improved massively in recent years and now dishes generally offer value-for-(a lot of)-money. However many restaurants are trying to ride these tricky economic times by offering cheaper deals on weekdays, so be on the lookout.

The Lonely Planet Ireland guidebook can send you off the beaten track or into the finest pub. Its full-colour sections on Irish culture, food and drink, and outdoor activities will have you itching to make your way to the Emerald Isle.

Think you can manage a tongue-twister or two? The Lonely Planet Irish Language & Culture travel guide will challenge and entertain - to be sure!

Read more

Comprehension questions

 Which sort of place would you be visiting if you heard ‘a round is on its way’? 

 Find a synonym in the text for ‘to be mean’: 

 If you had to forecast ‘horizontal rain’ for tomorrow , what would your weather forecast sound like? 

 Find a synonym in the text for this phrase: ‘Booze makes the Irish even more outgoing’: 

After reading

Finally, and using the tips above as a sample writing, make your own article entitled Spain Dos and Don’ts. When you are ready, read it to the rest of the class; your partners might ask you some questions about your tips, so get ready for conversation!

Text from Lonely Planet

If you need to check your work, use this worksheet.