10 Things We Didn't Expect in Ireland!

The sheep at the side of the road are counting cars to help them go to sleep. 😁

The plastic bag tax ban started in ireland as did the smoking ban indoors.....

Correction: In order to travel by sea to France and other European countries, we do not have to travel to the UK first and then from there to France and the rest of Europe. There are many direct ferry crossings from Ireland to various European countries like France, Spain, and the Netherlands. So glad you enjoyed your trip to Ireland. 👍☘💚

We have very street wise sheep in Ireland

American or other non-Irish viewers might like to know what 'Peat' (or 'Turf' as it's called when burned as fuel) actually is? Although it looks just like moist 'bricks' of dirt or earth when cut from the ground (or 'Bog') it's actually centuries/millenia old compressed dead trees... When you dry it out, it becomes a compressed wood fuel. (It burns really warmly and has quite a lovely aroma or smell from the smoke...) For many years, it was a staple fuel in Ireland, used to fire regular homes but also in Power Stations that generated electricty. (There was a Government Company called 'Bord Na Mona' ('The Peat Company') who regulated its use, harvested it commercially on a large scale and even developed more 'compressed' ways ('Briquittes') of using it as domestic fuel.) Basically, it was used much as coal was in the United Kingdom and the USA. It's almost EVERYWHERE in Ireland and easily harvested. (There are practically LIMITLESS supplies of this stuff!!!) Importantly, if you had your own land or even access to common 'bogland' it was totally free to harvest. (Professional 'turf cutters' existed.) Unfortunately, like coal, 'Turf' is not 'Environmentally Friendly' in this day and age. (Some people still use it domestically, but Industrial Usage doesn't exist anymore.) 'Bord Na Mona' still exists as a state company, but, despite its name, doesn't AT ALL process peat/turf anymore. (They explore and exploit 'non toxic' alternative energy creation, Wind Farms and the like.) All that said, the SMELL of a turf fire really is the smell of an Ireland that really doesn't exist anymore. (It's hard to describe, but like a mix of Cedarwood, Sandalwood and something 'other', dark and musky, that is uniquely Irish. Incidentally, because of this aroma, turf can be difficult to use on a 'cooking fire'... Though, as it burns to red-hot embers, the scent vanishes and it doesn't 'smoke'... Then you can cook on it!) For Irish people of a certain age, (I'm 61) the smell of a turf fire can and will transport you to memories of a long gone time. (You will NEVER smell a turf fire in big cities now, but you will in more rural areas...) If you are lucky! xx SF

I am a Dominican living in Ireland for 13 years now I was happy to see foreigner speaking about their tourist experience in the land I now call home. Next time you should come to the Southeast Waterford Wexford area. Nature truly blessed this part of Ireland. In regard to the rental car, I had similar experience but with the hotel where I booked a Hilton hotel and took a taxi to the wrong Hilton. 😂😂😂😂

If your not happy about the weather in Ireland, wait 10 mins.

It's hard to compare a country like Ireland that goes back thousands of years with young America. You can travel much faster on our dual carriageway roads doing speed of 100 km (60 mph) & on some you can do 120 km (75 mph). Sheep are kept in fields. It's only in some more isolated areas that you might see them on the side of the road. I've only ever seen them in fields. The Irish in general travel a lot worldwide & flights go to many places from Dublin, Shannon, Cork & Belfast. Many countries on our doorstep. It's NOT true to say it rains all the time. Thank God for our climate as we don't have extreme heat in summer or really severe cold in winter. Just now & then. There is a lot of Irish stereotyping about us and our culture. I hope you have a great holiday in Ireland. 👍

There is a saying in Ireland that if you don't like the weather, just wait ten minutes.

hi from ireland............ you have given a pretty good report on our beautiful country....thanks😁

We don't call it peat. We call it turf. The uk calls it peat. Most rural areas are still cutting turf. I'm going to guess you're not from new England as there are plenty of round abouts in Boston.. They call them a rotary. Lived there for years. I'm from Co. Mayo. Glad you enjoyed your holiday here. I lived in Chicago for 10 years. Edison Park. Northwest side.... Go cubs

Been to Ireland twice. I love it. Most of my time was south of Dublin/Galway. I did get to Mullingar for a few hours, less than 24. I did not see too many Americans in May/June of last year. The first language I heard last year was SPANISH, which surprised me. I also saw lots of Ukrainian women and children, which is to be expected. I also found a Mexican restaurant where the woman was from Mexico City. I also found a young lady at Supermac in Galway who was from Barcelona, Spain. It only seems to rain for 20 - 30 minutes at a time. I was lucky to have it rain in the daytime only three times, in three weeks. Most of the rain was at night.

It’s just County Derry! Not Londonderry!

Re cliffs of moher. Prior to 2007 I think , there were no long walks to see the cliffs. You could drive right up to them and if you were brave, lean over the edge and look down and along the cliffs. IE there was no walls or paths, much more authentic. It was then developed to include shops and dining and the introduction of expensive car parks to cater for tourists. And to make more money!

Coffee. It is about 50/50 with coffee in Ireland with regards to consumption. In hotels at breakfast they generally ask you if you want your tea or coffee before or with your breakfast. Most people say with breakfast while they have their cereal an juice first. For American tourists you should ask for an Americano, that is what Irish people call an ordinary coffee, as distinct from, latte, cappuchino, etc. Bars close officially at 12.30. You will find that is not always the case. Some instantly becomes Speakeasy's after 12.30.

Thanks so much for the shout out guys. I return the favour in my 3rd episode of the Donegal trip, keep an eye out for it! 😊

Now I know! Thanks for the information, I really enjoyed it.

Glad you enjoyed your trip! I see you were in Athlone - I moved to Athlone from Dublin around 12 years ago, and love it!

Thank you - lots of helpful tips and so nicely presented. I wrote down (from another of your videos) " You don't know what you don't know". A small point: there may be chickens "laying" along side the road but I bet the sheep are just 'lying' there. Best.

The roaming sheep are on commanage. Land owned by a number of tenants. Markings on the sheep denotes a particular farmer’s herd ownership.