What's the Craic?
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CéAd MílE FáIlTe - A HunDrED tHoUsaNd WelCOmeS YoUr GuIde TO liVInG anD woRkINg iN dUBliN WhAT’s ThE CrAiC? brought to you by GEtTING tO aNd FrOM tHE AIRpoRt The airport is located to the north of the city about 13 kms from the city centre. It has no rail link but is well served by bus and taxi transfers. TAxi An official taxi rank sits outside the forecourt of both terminals. The journey takes about 30 minutes and typically costs €35 (taxis have a Dublin Airport metre system). Tipping is not necessary, but most people will round up by a euro or two. Bus OR coACh There are a number of bus and coach services serving Dublin Airport and the city. City centre Two of these include the Dublin Bus Airlink 747 or 757 (€7), or the Aircoach Route 700 (€7), which drop off in the city centre. The journey takes about 30 minutes and both services also offer free WiFi. Dublin Bus Crowe Horwath (regular bus transport in Dublin) also offers two frequent routes before midnight every day, the routes 16 and 41 (€2.60 on the Leap card and €3.30 in coins). DubLIn By The NUmBerS Split by the River Liffey, Dublin is divided into 24 postal zones, which may initially seem a little confusing. Just remember however, that all the odd numbers (1,3,5…) lie on the Northside while the even numbers (2,4,6) are on the Southside. There is one exception: Phoenix Park, home to our President, lies north of the Liffey, but is in fact Dublin 8. Ireland tried to introduce a new UK-style postal code a few years ago called eircode, but it has been a bit of a disaster with very little take up. PubLIc HolIDayS There are nine public holidays in Ireland each year. Public holidays may commemorate a special day or other event, for example, St Patrick’s Day (17 March) or Christmas Day (25 December). On a public holiday, sometimes called a bank holiday, most businesses and schools close. Other services, for example, public transport still operate but often with restricted schedules. The list of public holidays each year is as follows: • New Year’s Day (1 January) • St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) • Easter Monday • First Monday in May, June, August • Last Monday in October • Christmas Day (25 December) • St. Stephen’s Day (26 December) Good Friday is not a public holiday. While some schools and businesses close on that day, there is no automatic entitlement to time off work on that day. laNgUaGE FÁilTE English is one of the two official languages in Ireland, alongside Gaelic. However, English is the language that everyone uses, not only in business but also in everyday life, apart from in the “Gaeltacht” – the WelCOme Gaelic-speaking areas to the west. A ShoRt GUIDE To IRISH sAYINGS Within a short space of time most people will have picked up some English phrases that are typically Irish. Often this is because the English wording is a direct rendition of a Gaelic phrase or saying. In fact, it is one of the most charming features of Ireland and Irish people. Many of the greatest poets, dramatists, novelists and song-writers in the English language are Irish men and women. Here are a few words or sayings that are quintessentially Irish: “banjaxed” “CraiC” Can mean broken or tired, as in “Jaysus In truth this is not used as much as our friendly (Irish way of saying Jesus) after last night I’m tourists might imagine. It means good times and banjaxed,” or “The kettle is banjaxed”. can have several usages: “What’s the craic?” — What’s up? / How’s it going? “It was good craic” — a good time. “Any craic?” — Anything going on? “Donkey’s years” Used as a reference to time. As in, “I haven’t been in this pub in donkey’s years.” Nobody has any idea what length of time a donkey’s “ArSewAYs” year should be, but it’s widely accepted that To do something the wrong way or if something it’s a very, very, long time. goes wrong on you, as in, “Those lads keep saying my name arseways.” “WreCked” “FAir PlAY” If you’re very tired. Normally used after a big night out. As in, “I was out late last night. I’m Means well done, as in, “That’s a great wrecked now though.” idea, fair play to ya fella.” “ChaNcE The ArM” SláINte To give something a try, to take a risk Literally means “health” in Irish or expose oneself to embarrassment, – it is the Irish for “cheers” when as in, “I’d never been skiing before, having a drink. but I thought I’d chance my arm at it.” ScoOPs Pints – as in “Lads are we goin’ “FIerCE weATheR” for a few scoops after work?” All weather is “fierce”. It can be fierce wet, fierce cold, fierce windy – fierce everything, basically. As in, “God, it’s fierce weather we’ve been having the last few days.” “cHips” “c’Mere to me” In Ireland, French fries are chips and you get Just means “listen to me,” as in, “Come here them from a “chipper”. Be warned you may fall in to me and I’ll tell ya.” It sounds like “Come love with a delicacy called “curry cheese chips” – here Timmy” so don’t get confused and think but don’t worry as the chances are you will be too that people have forgotten your name! drunk to remember, as you have been heavy on the gargle (too many scoops!). “Eejit” A gentler way of describing someone as an “not tHe fULl Shillin” idiot, as in “Donald Trump – what an eejit!” Not the smartest fella around - a sandwich short of a picnic or a limo short of funeral shall we say … As in, “I like John but sure he’s not the full shillin’ at all.” SOME IRISH wAYs CroSsINg The StReEt Dubliners are world champion jay-walkers (crossing streets during a red traffic light). But we have had years of practise, so, our advice is to take care extra when crossing. Either use the pedestrian lights or under the cover of safety in numbers (ie: if you see lots of people crossing stick with them!). RoUnDs TipPInG “Whose round is it?” That’s the phrase you’ll Tipping – we are not very good at it so we hear across every pub in Dublin on a Friday rely heavily on our European colleagues night. Rounds operate with one member of a to show us the way! Most Dubliners will tip group of friends or colleagues going to the bar their waiter 10%+ if they’ve been happy with to buy a whole order of drinks for the group. their restaurant service. Although it is rare, This rotates throughout the evening (regardless sometimes a ‘service charge’ is already added of the cost of individual drinks: if you like to your added to your restaurant bill, particularly double brandies, good for you!). To be bought with larger groups. Tipping bartenders or taxi- a round and not to offer to buy a round is drivers is not generally expected though if considered poor etiquette so if you don’t want you’re feeling generous (like most Irish are) to be in a round, opt out! Note: it’s not an exact you can always ‘round-up’ a figure to the science but usually people who drink minerals nearest euro if you wish. (soft drinks) are exempt from rounds. ArRivE WitH “one arM sHorTEr ThaN tHe OtHer” SmaLl TalK If visiting an Irish home for dinner, always turn The Irish like to small-talk, a lot. In the elevator, up with ‘one arm shorter than the other’ – ie: the staff kitchen or even in the changing rooms carrying a gift of a bottle or some flowers. We at the gym, be prepared to discuss the weather always say “Oh! You really shouldn’t have!” – or the Champions League at any given moment but in truth, we rarely mean it! during your day. IRISH GOVERNMENt The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach. The parliament of Ireland is called the Oireachtas. The upper house of the Oireachtas is called The Seanad Éireann and the lower house is called Dáil Éireann. The Taoiseach is nominated by Dáil Éireann and appointed by the President. The deputy prime minister is called the Tánaiste, and is nominated by the Taoiseach. The President is separate to the government, has no executive or policy role LeO VarADkaR (Taoiseach) and is elected directly by the people. MicHAel D. hiGgINs (President) Confused? Let’s leave it there so. ShORt HISTORY - ThE LAST 100 YEARS 1916 - 1921 1921 - 1980’s In April 1916 two groups of armed rebels In December 1921 an Anglo-Irish Treaty was led the Easter Rising against the occupation signed and 26 counties gained independence of Ireland by British forces. The Rising as the Irish Free State. Six Ulster counties had failed but it set in motion a chain of events been granted their own parliament in Belfast in that culminated in the formation of an Irish 1920 and still remain within the United Kingdom. Republic parliament called Dáil Éireann, unilaterally declaring power over the entire A new constitution was introduced in 1937 and island in 1919. Ireland remained neutral during the Second World War. In 1949 the Irish Republic was What followed is known as the ‘War of established. Ireland was admitted to the UN in Independence’ when the Irish Republican 1955 and acceded to the European Economic Army – the army of the newly declared Irish Community in 1973, together with the United Republic – waged a guerilla war against Kingdom and Denmark.