What Surprised Me About Life in Ireland

During my three-month Erasmus stay, I had the opportunity to experience everyday life in Ireland, specifically in Cork. You obviously expect Ireland to be different from the Czech Republic, but some differences only become noticeable once you actually start living there.

Driving on the Other Side

One of the first things I had to get used to was, of course, driving on the left. It sounds simple, but you also have to pay attention when simply crossing the road. Your instincts tell you to look in the direction where cars would come from in the Czech Republic, only to realize that in Ireland it is the other way around.

Buses Have Their Own Schedule

The local bus system was another interesting experience. Buses in Cork have their schedules, but their actual arrival time can be quite different. Sometimes they arrive late, sometimes they do not arrive at all, and you start wondering whether the bus actually exists or is simply waiting for the right phase of the moon.

I had to get used to this fairly quickly, because if you need to arrive somewhere at a specific time, relying completely on the schedule or an app is not always the best strategy.

The Houses All Look Almost the Same

One thing I noticed in Cork was how similar many of the houses look. A large part of the city consists of similar terraced houses, which can make the individual buildings start to blend together.

So imagine a situation where you have had a few drinks in a pub and are trying to find the right house. When several neighboring houses look almost identical, it can be surprisingly easy to end up at the wrong door. I am not saying this comes from personal experience, but I heard about it quite often.

Irish Is Everywhere

I was also surprised by how often I came across Irish. Even though English is the main language used in everyday life in Cork, Irish can be seen on signs, labels, and other parts of public space.

For some reason, I noticed it most often on buses. I came across drivers who were speaking Irish to each other or using it in conversation, which was quite surprising to me. Suddenly, a language I had previously mostly associated with signs was being used in everyday life right in front of me.

The Weather Changes Very Quickly

One of the most noticeable parts of everyday life was the weather. Cork is located close to the sea, and the weather could change incredibly quickly. It could be sunny one moment, start raining shortly afterwards, and then change again.

You quickly learn that seeing sunshine in the morning does not mean that it will still be sunny an hour later. The wind near the sea could also be quite strong, making the weather feel even more intense.

People Are Much More Open

One of the biggest cultural differences for me was the way people communicate. Irish people seemed noticeably more open than what I was used to from everyday life in the Czech Republic.

It was not unusual for someone to randomly start talking to me on the street, in a shop, or while waiting somewhere. You do not necessarily have to know someone for them to simply start a conversation with you.

Small talk is a very natural part of everyday communication in Ireland. For a Czech person, this can feel slightly unusual at first, as we tend to be somewhat more reserved around strangers.

"How Are You?" Is Not Always a Question

A good example is the phrase "How are you?". You can hear it simply as part of a greeting. It does not necessarily mean that the other person is expecting a detailed explanation of your current mental and physical state.

After some time, I got used to it and started treating it more as a natural part of saying hello rather than an actual question.

LGBT Visibility

Another thing I noticed quite strongly in Ireland was the visibility of LGBT symbols. Rainbow flags and other symbols of support could be seen in different places around the city, including businesses and public spaces.

Compared to what I was used to seeing in the Czech Republic, this visibility felt like a much more noticeable part of the everyday environment.

Recycling Is More Visible

I also noticed a stronger emphasis on recycling and waste separation. Different types of bins and ways of sorting waste are a visible part of everyday life, and you start noticing them quite quickly.

A Pub Is More Than Just a Pub

Another major cultural difference for me was the local pub culture. An Irish pub does not feel like just a place where people go for a beer. It is primarily a social place where people meet, talk, and spend time together.

Many pubs also have live bands playing regularly. Music is therefore not just background entertainment, but a natural part of the atmosphere. You can simply sit down with your friends, have a drink, and listen to live Irish music.

The Cow That Seems to Be Everywhere

One slightly random thing I noticed during my stay was the recurring cow motif. It appeared in different illustrations, advertisements, and other places often enough that I started associating it with the overall character of Ireland.

Maybe it is not particularly important, but these are exactly the kinds of small details you start noticing when you live somewhere rather than simply visiting as a tourist.

What I Enjoyed Most

What I ultimately enjoyed most about living in Ireland were these small differences. It was not just about driving on the left or speaking English. It was interesting to see how everyday things worked differently: public transport, the weather, communication between people, the appearance of the streets, and the way people spend their evenings.

After three months, I had started getting used to many of these things. It was only after returning to the Czech Republic that I realized again how different they actually were. These everyday details ended up being one of the most interesting parts of my Erasmus experience in Cork.