Sláinte! Raise your glass to mastering Irish manners and saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ with a smile. Let’s cheers to politeness and making every encounter a friendly one.

Ireland is known for its hospitality and warmth, and mastering Irish manners can help you blend in and make connections while traveling. From simple greetings to toasting with a pint of Guinness, here are some tips for embracing the etiquette and culture of the Emerald Isle.

When meeting someone in Ireland, it’s polite to say “hello” or “hi” with a smile and eye contact. If you want to sound more local, add in a “howya” or “how are you” to initiate conversation. Don’t be surprised if someone responds with “grand” or “not too bad” instead of the typical American response of “good” or “fine”.

Irish is one of the two official languages of Ireland, so it’s always appreciated when visitors make an effort to learn a few words or phrases. Just attempting to pronounce Irish place names can show a level of respect and interest in the culture.

Cúpla focal béasa an Gaeilge – A few words of Irish etiquette

Dia duit (Hello) dee-uh gwitch

Le do thoil (Please) lay duh hull

Go raibh maith agat (Thank you) guh ruv mah a-gut

Gabh mo leithscéal (Excuse me) guv muh lee-sh-kale

Tá bron orm (I’m sorry) tah br-own ur-um

Slán (Goodbye) slawn