Don’t be caught off guard. Our list of the top 10 things you should know before dating an Irish person may shed some light on what exactly you’re getting yourself into.
So you’ve managed to bag someone from the best country in the world. Congratulations. But before you commit to anything serious, there are some things you may want to know.
We Irish are strange folk, with weird and wonderful traditions you’ll no doubt be exposed to throughout our relationship.
10. You’ll be speaking like us soon
Get ready to know a whole new language. And no, we’re not talking about Gaeilge.
Irish people have an array of colloquialisms and Irish sayings that we manage to use in just about every sentence we say. And this will inevitably rub off on you.
It may begin with a ‘wee’ here or there, nothing serious, but before you know it, everything will be ‘great craic’ and you won’t be able to finish a sentence without adding a few ‘likes’ in.
9. You’ll effectively be dating our families
Families are intensely important in Irish life, and if things get serious enough for you to meet ours, they may be a more significant part of your life than you had anticipated.
We also tend to have loads of relations, so get ready for an uncle’s birthday every two months. And that’s not to mention weddings. But don’t worry, we don’t expect you to remember all the names.
8. Prepare to get your shoes muddy
One big thing to know before dating an Irish person is that while we may have met you in the city, most of us hail from more rural areas of Ireland – effectively all of it.
Trips to visit our parents will most likely consist of wellington boots, navigating cars up unnecessarily narrow country lanes, and of course, taking in the Emerald Isle’s beautiful scenery.
7. Be prepared for some religion
While the country has changed a lot in recent years, religion is still a large part of life for many. This is especially true for older generations.
It’s not uncommon for parents to be a bit iffy about unmarried couples sleeping in the same bed, so you may have to get used to a blow-up mattress if we visit the folks. Spending Christmas with our family? Odds are, Midnight Mass will be on the to-do list.
6. Get ready for a very potato-filled culinary experience
This is one stereotype that rings true. If you’re lucky enough to get invited to a Sunday roast at our granny’s, don’t be surprised to see 500+ variations of a cooked spud on your plate.
Sure, what more would you want?
5. St. Patrick’s Day will never be the same again
If March 17th was just another spring day to you before you met us, prepare for that to change. The celebration day of our patron saint is a massive deal all over Ireland, with parades and Guinness aplenty.
4. To avoid awkward moments, read up a bit on our history
Engaging in a bit of quick research on the complex history of our country would not be a bad thing. At the very least, make sure you understand the difference between Ireland and the UK.
After 700 years of oppression, you’ll find that people can be a bit touchy. People will appreciate it if you make an effort to understand our past. And if you don’t understand, better to keep your opinions to yourself at the kitchen table.
3. You’ll laugh a lot
It wouldn’t be an unfair generalisation to say that most Irish people have a great sense of humour. We laugh at ourselves, and almost everything life throws at us.
Adding alcohol to the mix only amplifies things.
2. If someone we know dies, you’re in for an odd experience
If you have never experienced the Irish wake, you’re in for a unique and potentially unsettling experience.
Just picture it. You’ve been dating us for more than a year. A great uncle passes. You come with us to his house. The whole town is there, even people he hadn’t met, here to drink some tea and lend their condolences.
You make the mistake of entering the living room with your sandwich in hand and BOOM…the man’s exposed corpse is in front of you, laying beneath the photographs of our cousin’s wedding photos.
Best not to panic. Going by this ancient Irish tradition, you’ll be here until morning.
1. We’re in it for the long-haul
The most important thing you should know before dating an Irish person is that when we fall in love, we do so fiercely.
Rates of divorce in this country remain lower than in most of Europe. Despite how much we joke around, we’re at heart, pretty much hopeless romantics. We hope these top ten things you should know before dating an Irish person will prepare you for any relationship with any of us.
