Waterproof clothing, shoes, and umbrellas are a must when visiting Ireland! It never gets unbearably cold on the Emerald Isle, but a significant amount of rain is expected during the Autumn months. The weather is unpredictable, and can shift very quickly, so stay prepared with rain gear on hand even when the forecast is good.

Don't refer to Ireland as part of the UK. Ireland is a sovereign state that, unlike the UK, is a member of the European Union.

Don't be offended if people gently make fun of you. Irish "slagging" is part of the culture, and the more someone likes you, the more insults you should expect. The Irish are very self-deprecating, so it makes sense that they would extend that same good-natured mistreatment to people they like!

The Irish swear a lot. It is a cultural norm, and is not meant to shock or be aggressive. If the colorful language makes you uncomfortable, your best bet is to simply ignore it and accept the prevalence of swear words as a regional quirk.

Trad music is an essential part of Irish culture. You will hear it being played in just about every pub, often by a live band. Listening to this music is great fun, but being able to sing along take the experience to another level. So, we've created a playlist of some of the top Irish pub songs for you all to listen to in preparation for your trip! No need to memorize them, but feel free to give them a listen and become familiar with a few!

While it may be a popular drink in American bars, ordering this drink in Ireland is considered extremely disrespectful. The beverage's highly offensive name originates from the many car bombings that occurred during the Troubles - a violent conflict between Northern Ireland's Protestants and Catholics during the second half of the 20th century- and is very disrespectful in Ireland.

The Irish have a rich and ancient history. While some of the culture centers around alcohol, not all of it has to do with drinking. So, be open to learning more about the country and her history.

As a general rule of thumb, don't ask the locals to say "Top of the morning", "three hundred and thirty three", or "they're after me lucky charms". Don't flippantly ask them about topics like the Potato Famine, the Troubles, or Brexit. It's weird. It's rude. It makes you look stupid. Don't do it.

For example: an "eejit", is an idiot.