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

3 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

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