Taking a trip across the water...

Scotland isn’t that far from Ireland. It's just a stone throw away. However, some things haven’t made it across the Irish

Sea yet and since arriving in Bonnie Scotland I’ve figured out there are some questions Irish people just cannot escape from...















The Accent

Yes, I know you love the Irish accent. No, I will not say “thirty three and a third” again.


The Geography

“Oh you’re from Ireland. Do you live in Dublin?”

There are, in fact, 32 counties dotted around Ireland so why do you insist we all come from Dublin? Yes it’s the capital but there is more to Ireland than The Pale.


The Culture

“Can you Irish dance?"

Upon hearing you are from Ireland, this is one of the first questions you are asked. Like all Irish children I learned how to Irish dance when I was about seven years old. This does not make me the female version of Michael Flatley nor does it mean I will perform a rendition of Riverdance for you.


The Language

Slang words like “shifting” and “nagan” have failed to make their way to Scotland. I am met with a blank stare and a queer look when I utter these words. To the Scottish, “shifting” is simply “pulling” and nagan ceases to exist.


The Irish Language

We learned it throughout primary and secondary school yet, unfortunately, the majority of Irish people will struggle to speak what is technically their native language. When asked by anyone outside of Ireland what you can say as Gaeilge the I-learned-this-off-by-heart-when-I-was-in-primary-school “'An bhfuil cead agam dul amach go dtí an leithreas?" is one of the favourites.


Thanks to some advertising genius in Carlsberg if we're feeling brave these few lines can also be heard;

"Agus madra rua! Is maith liom cáca milis.
Agus Sharon Ní Bheoláin.
Tá geansaí orm.
Tá scamaill sa spéir.

Tabhair dom an cáca milis!”





The Alcohol

The presumption that Irish people can be found stumbling along the street, drink in hand, proudly singing The Fields of Athenry, is not as true as you may think. In fact the reality is pretty sobering and might disappoint those who would like us to maintain our stereotypical Irish drinking reputation. Yes, we like to drink and get drunk and have a good time. That doesn’t mean we are raging alcoholics that want to go out every single night of the week.


The Phrase

“Top o’ the mornin’ to ya!”

A phrase no one has actually ever said in Ireland. Yet the very moment you announce your nationality to someone you can be sure they will respond with this phrase. And if they don’t say it, they’re certainly thinking it.


The Leprechauns

Not to burst your bubble or anything but these mythical little creatures are just that. Mythical. Contrary to what you might believe these small fairy folk do not walk around Ireland sprinkling magic dust as they go. Although some of it might not go astray at the moment. Did someone say recession?


The Red Hair

Although the stereotype will say that the majority of Irish people are born with ginger hair and freckles, reality states otherwise. Only 10% of the Irish population actually has red hair. In fact, Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads with almost 13% of the population donning this hair colour. Approximately 40% of the Scottish population carry the recessive redhead gene. Ireland is slightly higher with almost 46% of people carrying the gene.


The Potatoes

We don’t just eat potatoes, despite what you might think. We also eat spuds and poppies too.