Ireland Local Custom Tips by sarahandgareth

A different kind of English!

The Irish speak English, although listening to them sometimes you wouldn't guess it! First of all, they tend to talk very fast, I can't help you with that. I can help with a few of their common, but unusual, linguistic oddities.

Craic (pronounced crack): as in 'great craic' meaning fun not drugs
Slainte (pronounced slawn-sha): in Irish literally means health, used in toasting drinks as in 'cheers'
Grand (pronounced exactly how you think it would be): a catch all term for fine for example 'I'm grand'

How much to tip?

Tipping is practically optional. 10% is standard in restaurants although many Irish people will still simply (and not very generously) round up. If you tip in a pub, people will think you are a nut.