How will an American moving to Ireland be treated?

Question

I have the oppurtunity to work in Shannon Ireland for 1 or 2 years. After that I will return to the States.

I am a 26 year old single white male engineer. Will I be accepted in Ireland? Since I am a foreigner (I am 1/2 Italian, 1/4 Irish and 1/4 Swedish). Will it be easy to make freinds? What about the dating scene? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

you'll have a great time!!! ",)

Answer 2

Irish people love to talk so the quickest way to make friends is just to talk to everyone! The dating scene is very different from the U.S. in my opinion and generally revolves around drink! If you go out to the pubs and chat away then dating should be no problem, people will have no problem accepting you if you are chatty and friendly.

Answer 3

hi you

i am not to sure where on earth your fears are coming from the American people have always been accepted here and treated as one of our own and i am an Irish male not to far of duble your age you actual surprise and shock me with your question as it has been my believe all American people know that they are accepted over here in Ireland and due to my Hobby in plane spotting i am in Shannon airport every other week and know that people there hold the same view i do

Answer 4

ok you should be fine. just dont go around saying that youre 1/4 irish, we all hate that. your not irish, okay? and it'll be really easy to make friends just go down to the pub. dating is very different in ireland, you'll get used to it in no time. you should be grand though! xx

Answer 5

Like the previous person said the Irish can't stand it if you say you are Irish but they won't mind if you say you're of Irish descent. How you'll be treated depends on where you are. In Shannon you should be fine but a lot of people aren't happy about US military aircraft refuelling at Shannon airport. You might get a little bit of hassle at first as a result but it wouldn't be too serious and it wouldn't last.

Russiandub: It is you that do not understand, If you do not hold an Irish passport you are not legally Irish. If you are not legally Irish you are not Irish. Yes the people who emigrated did become more Irish than the Irish themselves but they became the Irish of the 19th century. They have different traditions that are now no longer a part of Irish culture bedcause culture evolves. This is not a matter of geography but of modern culture and legality.

Answer 6

you will be fine as long as you don't act too American, by this I mean  being ignorant about the Irish culture. Another thing I know a lot of us Irish hate is the way the Americans cling to whatever percentage of Irish they have in them, whether it be their great great great uncles wife's dog was irish.  Also be careful to try to understand the humor!! it may take a while!! Irish people are so friendly its why I never want to leave!! most will help you and have a great sens of community!! Not too sure about the dating scene, get settled first!!

Answer 7

Usually no problem at all and agree with the other posts about saying your Irish, just say Irish desent.  The Irish humour is different.  People are annoyed about the US military re-fueling people with any sense don't take it out, maybe be careful voicing your views about this. Other from that you'll be fine!

Answer 8

Ok man, just to explain the comments about ''don't say you're irish'' this comes from a sort of Irish ignorance. ''we'' can't comprehend people associating themselves with a certain group because as the saying goes all immigrants ''became more irish than the irish themselves''

There is no sense of another alleigence, well at least not in the last generation(25+)

I am 18 living in Dublinbut have Russian parents.

I see your ancestry is diverse, so you probably won't be like this. But just for the record what a lot if  these true irish don't realise is that the americans of irish descent are often ''more irish'' than they themselves are.

In conclusion they understand nationality as a pure geographical thing. Rightly or wrongly that is another thing.

Anyway I think you will like Ireland. I'm not so sure what Shannon is like but I presume it is a sort of artificial town? Maby I'm wrong.

As always I link people to this site:

www.boards.ie

It can be a good start off point to getting into irish ways(whatever they are)

Good luck.

Answer 9

You will be treated well. Welcome to our country =]

Answer 10

Hey there, you will be fine.  I'm originally from Virginia, been here in Ireland 8 years.  But as everyone else in the replies say....Never say you are Irish.  This is a big no no.  Since you are not born in Ireland, you are not Irish.  Irish people like Americans well enough, but are annoyed by the typical American tourists, who often end up asking silly questions.  The best thing to do is make fun of the tourists and don't take offense at anything really.

The humour over here is a bit different than in America.  I find it a good bit more sarcastic and people like to slag (pick on) each other.  But all in good fun.  As for military and political views, I've not had much trouble.  

You will have no problem dating.  You will most likely meet girls at work or the pub, however dating over here isn't what I remember it to be in the states.  It involves more meeting at the pub, not quite as romantic, but I'm sure that girls will appreciate the more romantic approach if you choose to go that way.  Plus they will love your american accent.  People hear it and instantly start talking to you about where you are from and makes a nice ice breaker.

Well best of luck!  I hope it works out for ya.

Answer 11

Hi, You will be 100% fine.  I am from California and I lived in Belfast for 5 years (even magically picked up a little accent for awhile, it so catchy, I couldn't even hear myself doing it, I have lost it now that I am back in Ca though).  The Irish are beyond friendly.  I made some of my best friends there through working.  They are also super funny too, I would laugh so hard I would cry just about everyday.  Dating does seem to revolve around drinking and the pub(as someone above me said), you're going to love it there, I promise!