Are visitors really unwelcome in the Republic of Ireland?

Question

I've saved for 2 years to be able to do a walking tour in Ireland and am booked for late September, however, I'm wondering if it was a mistake. I see so many of your comments telling people the only thing to do in Dublin is drink and to stay home because you don't understand the correct geographical description of some part of Ireland. Why do you think we want to come to Ireland? To understand and experience another culture!

Answer 1

heya!!! visitors are so welcome here!!! well if they treat us with respect!!! i know of a story where english people where here and all they could do was say nothing only bad stuff about our country!!!! people like them aren't treated well as you would expect!!! but i think you will enjoy yourself!!! i love our culture!!! i think you will to!!! good luck!!!

Answer 2

No there not unwelcome . . and there is plenty to do and see!  

Answer 3

i think what u want to  do is great, the irish are really friendly so dont worry about feeling unwelcome

the south and the west  of te roi are the places to go

hope u enjoy yr trip

failte ireland( ireland welcomes)

Answer 4

I am Irish and believe me we are friendly and helpful! u will b made v welcome! Slan

Answer 5

I am a mountaineer/hill-walker, and have travelled a lot in the south there is beautiful countryside and the mountains are first class, ie: Erragail, ring of Kerry, Blue stack mountains and the Wicklow mountains-Glendlough, to name a few. Also you'll enjoy the craic, Please go.  

Answer 6

Orla C above has the idea! Also Dublin is not Ireland, although you'll enjoy the humour if you manage to craic it.

Ireland starts outside Dublin (especially if you are walking) and Northern Ireland is also part of Ireland and actually a very beautiful part of it. So just come with an open mind and have fun. By the way, in Dublin get a travel card for a a day 'cause you really can not see Dublin by foot.

Travel these bus-routes completely from end to end 33, 44, 75. Cheapest day trip ever and you will see a breath-taking variety of Dublin city and county from every possible angle.

You can buy  bus travel cards at the airport. Just turn left when you come out of customs. Enjoy the stay.

Answer 7

Absolutely not, the evidence is there in the large numbers of people who have come to this country in the past few years.  This country is a lot more welcoming than some in Europe.

Answer 8

i think you might get comments that all there is to do is nothing because when you live here all year round there is nothing to do.

but visitors are welcome =]

Answer 9

Your stereotyping the whole nation, when its really only a few people who are like that.

Ireland is great =] Enjoy your stay =] =]

Answer 10

I completely understand where you are coming from - This forum seems to have a lot of pedantic a*seholes on it who throw their toys out of the pram if someone says Southern Ireland instead of the Republic of Ireland and suchlike, and completely gets on their high horse if someone from another country claims Irish heritage, but don't worry, once you get here you will see that most of us aren't like that and you will have a great trip =]

Answer 11

No, not at all.

But we're quite tired of know-it-all Americans who go into the pubs looking for vicious nasty rebel songs. The fact is that for quite a while, before the Euro changeover the greater bulk of tourists who visited Ireland were from the UK, and the country which traditionally has been our greatest enemy has become our nearest friend (not sure about 'dearest', but it's early days yet :-) ...).

Happily, those type are few and far between. Most of the time, American visitors are polite, respectful and generally quite pleasant to have around. People like that are ALWAYS welcome.

Answer 12

Would worry to be honest.  There is more to do than drink but some Irish people go on like it is the only thing to do but in reality there is loads to do and things have changed in realtion to drinking.  You will enjoy your stay here and wouldn't think about it!  The only problem in Ireland at the minute is the weather,

Answer 13

You have NOTHING to worry about, you'll enjoy yourself, trust me. Who's 'your' comments?

Answer 14

You souled be fine there are just things to remember.

You are of Irish descent not Irish.

It is the Republic of Ireland not Southern Ireland.

Those are the only two things I see getting treated with hostility on here. Generally speaking if you are genuine and respectful then the majority of the people will be friendly. The only reason people respond like that is because we get a lot of people who ask genuinely silly questions and they usually bring up one of those two topics so they have become associated with wind up merchants.

Answer 15

You may never want to leave.Don't say I didn't warn you.;)

Answer 16

I loved every minute I spent in Ireland and I'm positive that you will too! Every country's bound to have a few unfriendly faces, but the people in Ireland are the friendliest I have ever met in my entire life, not joking in the slightest. Complete strangers helped me to find my way around, offered to give me a place to stay, and were the most obliging beings. God, I love the Irish. Trust me, you'll never want to come home!

Answer 17

Don't know whose comments you have been reading, but they couldn't be more wrong! I am english and we live in malahide co , dublin, ! All the irish people are great! Remember they have had to go abroad to earn a living in the past, they are all very friendly!

Try and visit galway, the burren, allewee caves, cliffs of moher! the list is endless ! you will have a great time!