Day 2

Tuesday, 9th July, 2019

Our impressions of Ireland

We had our first workshop as a group this morning so we started off with a short introduction. We talked about our backgrounds and we also had a discussion about the different educational systems our countries have.

Following our Dublin photos trail the day before, we had a workshop about our impressions of Dublin. In groups of four we brainstormed words and also finished different sentences about Irish people. It was interesting to see how each of us perceived what we had seen and what similarities and differences we had found in relation to our own cultures. We also shared some photos we had taken the day before about things that we had found unique.

The impressions we have had:

Southside/northside distinction • Building work and noise • No benches on the streets • Homeless people are visible • Fines to ensure cleanliness • Signs are bilingual but most people don’t speak Irish daily • Compact city, easy to navigate • Talking statues • Troubled history What we have learned about Dublin • Lively, historical, cosy, colourful • Scandinavian features • Lots of parks and clocks • Musical city • No public toilets • Drunks on the streets • Not enough bins • Culture is valued

Irish people are… • Friendly and helpful Sociable • Often red headed Unobtrusive/shy • Short in stature Unpretentious • Polite Loud • Warm hearted Flexible/adaptable • Passionate • Musical • Dynamic • Witty

Irish people like/enjoy… • Drinking and eating • Playing/listening to music • Emigrating/travelling • Socialising • Jay-walking • Bright colours • Decorating windows • Being Europeans

Irish people value… • Arts and culture • Heritage and history • Hurling • Children and their wellbeing • Quality ingredients • Family and friends • Design

It was interesting to learn that the first official language is Irish and not English, however, only 3% of the population speaks it on a daily basis. It is compulsory for students to learn Irish at school, and it is not a very popular subject. In addition to this, it is getting more and more difficult to find teachers for the Irish language. As a consequence, the government in considering making it optional for students.

Workshop on Hiberno English

During the afternoon session we dealt with the topic of Hiberno English, which is the Irish use of the English language. I learnt that it is a mixture of Irish and English words with Irish pronunciation and grammar. The word ‘Hiberno’ is a latin word, meaning winter, and it is used as a prefix to describe things that are related to Ireland.

We looked at examples of the effect of Irish grammar on English such as the lack of indefinite articles (The mammy is at home.), Irish words that became part of the English language ( It was great craic - fun).

We collected several Irish words and expressions and even explored Irish slang in comparison to English slang.

We collected the characteristics of Irish pronunciation as well. This session was really useful and practical.

‘Two Pints’ at Abbey Theatre

I visited Abbey Theatre - the National Theatre of Ireland- in order to experience some authentic culture. The Abbey Theatre was founded as a national theatre for Ireland by W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory in 1904 and has been operating ever since. They only put on plays written by Irish authors.

The first play I saw ( I will see another play later on) is called Two Pints and it is set in an Irish pub and follows the everyday discussions of two drinking fello's. They talk about everyday things such as their dads, celebrities, and they also contemplate more complex issues like cancer, the afterlife, death. The play depicts an authentic Irish scene with two ordinary lads having a chat after a few pints. The topics they talk about are really interesting and their humour is witty and sharp.

Watching this play was a real challenge for me given the fact that the play was in Irish English and the actors were talking with a strong accent and also because the topics they were covering were mostly related to Irish culture and everyday life. I had feared that I would have great difficulty following it, but luckily I could keep track of the flow of conversation and could catch the vast majority of the jokes and laughed together with the audience.

During the performance I paid a special attention to the issues we had been talking about in the workshops and noticed many topics and language-related things that came up.

As for the language I heard the words ‘lad’ and ‘grand’ used a lot, which are typical Irish English words. As for the topics, there was a reference to the topic of corruption related to constructions and the rule prohibiting drivers to use their mobile phones while driving (and the Irish to ignore the rule), both of which we mentioned during the workshops.

I immensely enjoyed the performance and I believe that it has given me a great opportunity to immerse in local Irish culture, get an insight into Irish people’s mind and get a glimpse of the life in an Irish pub.