A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

Ireland

6 rules found

Cultural sensitivitiesEveryday mannersCountry-wide guidance · Ireland

Ireland: leave farm gates as you find them and keep dogs off farmland

Do

  • Stay on waymarked trails and walk along field edges
  • Leave gates as you find them; close any that were closed
  • Cross boundaries by gates or stiles
  • Take all your litter home
  • Don't park across farm entrances

Don’t

  • Don't climb over or damage fences, stone walls or hedges
  • Don't interfere with livestock, machinery or crops
  • Don't bring a dog onto farmland, even on a lead, without the landowner's permission

Disturbing livestock or damaging boundaries causes real losses for farmers and can put you at risk. Many trails cross private land with the owners' consent, so follow the signs on site.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Irish Farmers Journal: What is expected of the public when entering on to farmland

Cultural sensitivitiesTemples & religious sitesCountry-wide guidance · Ireland

Ireland: dress modestly in churches and don't disturb services

Do

  • Dress modestly, ideally covering shoulders and knees
  • Men should remove hats inside
  • Move quietly and silence your phone
  • Try to avoid service times; check each church's published opening hours
  • Check notices or ask staff before taking photos

Don’t

  • Don't take photos or use flash during services
  • Don't eat or drink inside
  • If you are not Catholic, don't go up for Communion; simply watch quietly

Most Irish churches are active places of worship. The sources checked show no uniform dress code; inappropriate dress or behaviour will usually draw a reminder or upset worshippers. Follow each church's notices.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Official site: St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin – Visit

Cultural sensitivitiesRestaurants & barsCountry-wide guidance · Ireland

Ireland: buy your round in the pub

Do

  • When drinking with a group, buy a round for the whole table when it's your turn
  • Non-drinkers can join in with water, coffee or a soft drink
  • Order at the bar and pay as you go
  • Pace yourself with the table

Don’t

  • Don't leave before it's your turn to buy
  • Once in a round, don't buy a drink just for yourself or one person
  • Don't talk loudly while traditional musicians are playing

People remember who skipped their round, and it is seen as bad form. A round is about being there and everyone sharing, not about how much you drink.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Cultural Atlas: Irish Culture – Etiquette

Local customsPhotos & dronesCountry-wide guidance · Ireland

Ireland: ask before taking close-ups of people

Do

  • Landscapes and buildings are generally fine to photograph
  • Ask before photographing a specific person, especially close up
  • Get a parent's permission before photographing children
  • Be extra considerate in small communities and island villages
  • At traditional music sessions, check notices or ask the musicians first

Don’t

  • Don't keep shooting after someone says no
  • Don't step into private yards or gardens for a shot

There is usually no penalty, but photographing people without asking can cause offence; asking first often leads to a more natural picture and a conversation. At events, follow the organisers' rules on photography.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: My Irish Cousin: Irish etiquette and customs

Local customsTippingCountry-wide guidance · Ireland

Ireland: check for a service charge, then round up or tip about 10%

Do

  • Check whether a service charge is already on the bill; if so, no need to add more
  • For good service at a sit-down restaurant, round up or leave about 5–10%
  • With table service in a pub, round up or leave a few euros
  • For short city taxi rides, round up to the nearest euro

Don’t

  • No need to tip per drink when ordering at the bar
  • Don't feel bound by the high percentages suggested by card machines or apps

A tip is a gesture, not an obligation, and nobody will usually mind if you skip it. Some restaurants (mainly in Dublin, Galway and Cork, for large groups or at weekends) add a service charge of around 10% automatically; check your bill.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: My Irish Cousin: Tipping in Ireland

Local customsEveryday mannersCountry-wide guidance · Ireland

Ireland: chat back warmly, and don't raise sensitive topics first

Do

  • Answer warmly when shop staff, drivers or the person next to you start chatting
  • Weather, your travels and sport are safe openers
  • You can learn the Irish greeting 'Dia dhuit' (hello)
  • Laugh along when you are gently teased ('slagging')

Don’t

  • Don't call Ireland part of the United Kingdom
  • Don't bring up Northern Ireland or the last few decades of history unless the other person does
  • Don't imitate an Irish accent

Being cool carries no penalty but comes across as unfriendly; getting the country's name wrong or joking about history can easily offend. English is fine for everyday conversation.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Cultural Atlas: Irish Culture – Communication

Site-specific notes 4

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

Ring of Kerry

  • Entering private farms and pastures
  • standing in the road to take photos
  • honking at sheep
  • stopping at random on blind bends

Old Library, Trinity College Dublin

  • Photography is prohibited in the Treasury (to protect the manuscripts)
  • do not touch exhibits or old books
  • the campus is a working university, so do not enter teaching areas

Cliffs of Moher

  • Do not climb over guard rails or approach unguarded cliff edges
  • do not disturb seabirds
  • do not litter