One thing is for certain- I have a huge amount of respect for the Irish culture. Although I was aware of it to some extent, I couldn't believe all the Polish people I saw everywhere. I thought I would go to a pub or restaurant and have an Irish person serve me, tell me jokes, and enlighten me on tradition. After two days of getting foreigners we decided that unless it was someone Irish working we weren't going to stay. My perspective going in was to learn about Irish, not bond with my own people or those of other cultures.
I didn't think I would like the pubs that much but I found myself with a Guinness multiple times during a day. Each pub with its own personality, own history, and own atmosphere made it very fascinating. In the evenings I thorough enjoyed the traditional music and the general vibe of each pub. It was great to get a run down on the history of the pub and how it's been such an integral part of Irish culture.
The country itself was very beautiful. The food was surprisingly excellent virtually everywhere we went. The scones and the pastries were especially delightful. We managed to do the afternoon tea thing a couple times, which was cool. We usually followed it up with a stop to a pub for a Guinness.
I wasn't aware of the rich history and how greatly it was influenced by the Vikings. I also learned a lot about the history, the Easter uprising, and how bloody Ireland's history has been until 1998. Whoa... that is VERY recent. I now know who James Joyce is and what Temple Bar means/is and had a chance to experience a real Guinness and then some. And yes, it tastes different than the ones in the US.
This was an extremely educational trip and I'm happy I had a chance to go. When I go to my local pubs now I will have a bigger appreciation for where they come from but I'll also be keeping a close eye to make sure my Guinness is being poured properly!
