I’m just back from my recent trip to Ireland. It was a good trip. There were no mid-air emergencies, and I successfully managed my fear of flying by following the Australian cricket team’s ‘one-beer-for-every-hour-in-the-sky’ method (swapping beer for champagne, of course).

I lived in Ireland for five years (I’m married to an Irishman), so our trip wasn’t exactly a touristy one. I remember my first trip though, when I was a nose-ring-wearing backpacker 15 years ago. I expected it to be all fiddles and dancing leprechauns.

While there definitely is, what they call, the ‘diddly-i-di’ factor, there are some misconceptions about this country. So, given I’m married to an Irishman, and the mother of two Irish children, I feel it’s my duty to bust some Irish myths.

Myth: They say, ‘top of the morning’ or ‘to be sure, to be sure’.
Truth: Instead they say: ‘Jayney Mac’ (a polite way of taking the Lord’s name in vain), ‘Howareya?’ (a greeting, that must be said as one continuous word), ‘Is it yourself?’ (another greeting, and no, you don’t have to a blind to use it), and ‘Feck’ (an acceptable alternative to the obvious…so acceptable it’s not uncommon to hear old ladies and politicians say it).

Myth: Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.
Truth: Ireland, as in the region in the southern part of the island, is a Republic. It’s separate to the United Kingdom. It’s also separate to Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Many people lost their lives fighting for that independence, gained in 1922. It’s a complicated and long story that spans 800 years, so forgive me if I gloss over the details here. Just trust me when I say never refer to Ireland as being part of the United Kingdom. While I’m at it, don’t refer to Ireland as ‘Southern Ireland’. Major faux pas.

Myth: Irish people are stupid.
Truth: Many smart people have come from Ireland: literary giants (Shaw, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett); scientific geniuses (they developed radiotherapy, the hypodermic needle and a cure for leprosy); and political and business leaders (Mary Robinson – first female Irish President and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Peter Sutherland – BP Chairman, Alan Joyce – Qantas CEO, Bono, Sir Bob, not to mention my own Busy-And-Important-Husband). So, please don’t say one of those dumb Irish jokes around me. They make my blood boil.

Myth: These guys can be found in Ireland:

Truth: Instead, you will find these:

Myth: The weather isn’t really that bad.
Truth: If you’re a duck wearing a thick coat perhaps. Who am I kidding? The weather is fecked.

Learn anything new about Ireland? Or perhaps there’s a myth you’d like to add?