I'm trying to learn more about life in southeastern, rural Ireland....any thoughts? Links?

Question

I'm trying to write a paper about the place/history/current daily life and I'm having a hard time coming up with information. I've tried talking to people over IRC, etc. but they're just like the ones here in the US (looking for dates--yes that's a euphamism, etc.). I'd really appreciate some information, though. I'm stalled and I'm up against a deadline.

Thanks!

Answer 1

There is a wonderfull book about: Pete McCarthy, McCarthy´s bar. Even a web site: http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/library...

Answer 2

Hi you can try www.wicklow.ie, www.wexford.ie and www.waterfordcoco.ie (the coco is county council and the waterford .ie site belongs to waterford crystal.  I presume these are the areas you are talking about.

It was very common to combine grocery shops and pubs but is not very common nowadays but it does still exist, e.g. I know of some in co. roscommon.

Most employment in very rural areas is in agriculture.  However, these three counties are quite developed due to their relative proximity to Dublin and also to the fact that Waterford now has an airport.   We had a government policy of decentralisation a few years ago so for example our Environmental Protection Agency has its headquarters in Wexford.  Hotels and bars are also big employers.  Then there are factories like waterford crystal which employ people.

Emigration is not so bad at the moment.  We went through hard times before and the most recent heavy emigration was during the 1980s.  Now we have a lot of immigration.  Many people from Africa in particular but also from Poland and other countries have arrived.  The government tends to move people around to settle them, so small places have now got non irish, e.g. africans, living there.  This has caused some problems but overall it is working out.  We unfortunately had a loophole in our law which allowed people who were pregnant to come here and have a child and that child would be a citizen and they were allowed also to stay.  This loophole has now been closed but a lot of damage was done and a lot of animosity created when our maternity hospitals were full of people arriving at very advanced stages of pregnancy.

People here like Americans provided they don't "shoot their mouth off" as you would say.  Sometimes people come and act the big person and that is not acceptable.  But if you want to come and just fit in I think you will find this very much okay.

Schooling is good.  Primary schools in most areas but with the increase in population we have a problem with secondary schools and need more.  Our standard of education is good though.

Common sayings:

He is only here a wet weekend (means he is a new person in the area) usually used in a derogatory sense.

A "ride" is not a term used with a car but if someone is a "ride" or you "ride" them it is a common term for f...

Not really used by polite people. We get a lift in a car.

Re: next answer

Craic does NOT mean b..t it means fun, excitement as in we had great craic.  We also say what is the craic to mean what is happening. I guess you can come and live here but it sounds like you don't really get all the true meanings and way of looking at things.

There are loads of expressions but just cant think at the moment. Will add some if I remember them.

Hope this all helps.

Answer 3

This is more Southwest

Im and American and have spent a lot of time in Ireland courtesy of some friends who live there.   I wanted to visit Ireland because it is the land of my great great grandfather.   Now some people are quick to say everyone claims that, but I have not had anyone explain how you can love the traditions, the people, and feel the music and the heritage.  If it were not in my genes.

I lived in a couple of rural towns that are growing.  Sixmilebridge which is about 6 miles outside of Shannon and 10 miles from Limerick and I stayed briefly in Kilkishen.  

I love the rural life.  I love it that most of the towns are still centered around the middle of town.  Where you have a few pubs and  a church and some small businesses.  

I love that you can walk into town and take care of business or go pubbing or to the local restauarant.  I liked going into Limerick to do my big shopping.

In Kilkishen its very small.  Two grocery stores one located in the local petrol station.   I remember four pubs in Kilkishen.  The church and a old church down the road at one end and a beautiful lake down the other end of the road.

Its a quiet soothing ride to Sixmilebridge.  Which is quickly growing with young career families.  That work in Limerick, Shannon, Galway or even Ennis.  

There is a regular commuter ride that comes through and takes you to Limerick where you can catch a train to Galway or Dublin.

In Shannon a lot of people work in the hotels, the airport, and the different industries located in Smithtown which is a free zone (which means  a lot of companies from different countries get a tax break in this area.  Intel is also there)

Of course your tourist is a big industry.

The influx of Africans, Asians, Poland, Pakistans are actually called the new Irish and some of fitting in well with the culture and lifestyle.  Even learning Irish.

Of course you have your problems and I hate to say it that its mostly with your young folks.  They mix well with the other races but can be mean and crude.

The older Irish well they are still rememberance of their heritage and are very nice and welcoming.  I was always invited in for a cup of tea and conversation which is great considering that does not happen that often to strangers in America.  But I can't blame them.  With growth comes some crime.  But the little rural towns are still some kinda of nice and wonderful.

A lot of women run B&Bs while their husbands hold other jobs

The craic (bull_s   )

Whats the story (whats happening)

Petrol station   Gas station



A lot of Ireland is poor and still very third world.  Internet is not everywhere yet.

You pay a tax to watch television

You cannot get a 30 year loan if you are over 40 buying a house.

You cannot just go live in Ireland if you are an american you have to have a job first and the job will get you a work permit

A lot of Americans own those old castles and live in them

Irish are the number one owners of property in the world.  Especially in America.

Irish love to come to America to shop shoes in America are cheaper than in Ireland.

That should hold you over