The Irish Way

How to Be Irish (Without Even Trying)

Experience Ireland beyond the clichés. The real charm is not in trying to do everything at once. It is in the small moments, the traditions, and the little quirks that make this place feel like home. Here is how to live a day like a local, even if you are just visiting.

Nothing says Ireland quite like a hearty Sunday roast. The smell of roast potatoes and gravy greets you before you even enter and seconds are not just allowed, they are expected. Gather with friends, family, or a few locals and settle in. A proper carvery is not just a meal, it is tradition, comfort, and a guaranteed way to feel like you have done Sunday right.

Top 5 Sunday Lunch and Carvery Experiences in Ireland

1. McShane’s Bistro at Great National Hotel Ballina
Enjoy a relaxed Sunday lunch in Ballina with all the trimmings, from tender roasts and seasonal vegetables to home baked desserts. It is a beloved local tradition and a hearty way to slow down at the end of the week. (hotelballina.ie)

2. Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis
In the heart of Ennis, Legends Restaurant at Temple Gate Hotel serves a classic Sunday carvery lunch with succulent roasted meats carved to order, tasty starters, and homemade desserts to finish. Perfect for families, groups, or anyone looking to enjoy that traditional Irish Sunday experience. (templegatehotel.com)

3. Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise
Midlands Park offers a lovely Sunday dining experience with generous portions and seasonal menus that suit all tastes. It is a great spot to enjoy a long lunch with friends and family after exploring the Midlands. (greatnationalhotels.com)

4. Newtown Park Hotel, Wexford Town
Newtown Park Hotel’s all-day dining invites you to take Sunday at your own pace with comfort dishes and generous portions. Ideal after a trip to the beaches or countryside around Wexford. (newtownparkhotel.com)

5. Great National South Court Hotel, Limerick City
The South Court Hotel offers a hearty Sunday lunch in a vibrant city setting. From seasonal roasts to warming desserts, it is perfect for families or groups looking for a relaxed Sunday meal with all the flavour and comfort of a classic Irish lunch. (greatnationalhotels.com)

Ireland’s pubs are not just buildings, they are living history. Step inside the oldest pub in town and you might be standing where centuries of stories unfolded. From worn wooden floors to cozy corners and a hearth, every pint poured here comes with a sense of heritage. Order a drink, strike up a chat, and you will discover why the locals love their pubs as much as their stories.

If there is one tradition that truly captures modern Irish culture, it is raising a pint to Arthur Guinness. Arthur’s Day began as a celebration of the man behind Ireland’s most famous export, but it quickly became something much bigger a nationwide excuse to gather, share stories, listen to music and enjoy a perfectly poured pint of Guinness.

On Arthur’s Day, pubs across Ireland come alive. You will find live music spilling out onto the streets, friends meeting after work for “just the one” that turns into a long evening, and that unmistakable buzz that only an Irish pub can create. Even if you are not a big Guinness drinker, the atmosphere alone is worth experiencing. There is a sense of community, celebration and pride that makes the day feel special.

It is also one of those uniquely Irish moments where everyone feels welcome. Locals, visitors, regulars and first timers all come together over shared tables and easy conversation. You might start the night as strangers and end it singing along to the same song.

Whether you are in a cosy country pub or a lively city bar, celebrating Arthur’s Day is about more than the drink. It is about connection, storytelling, laughter and embracing the social heart of Ireland. And honestly, there is no better place in the world to enjoy a pint than right here, surrounded by people who treat it like an art form.

No trip to Ireland is complete without St. Patrick’s Day. Streets come alive with parades, music spills from pubs, and there is a buzz in the air you cannot ignore. Dress in green, clap along, and maybe sneak a taste of something sweet or a pint as you take in the spectacle.

And just so you know, it is St. Paddy’s Day, not St. Patty’s Day. That little detail matters more than you might think. For a few hours, everyone is a little Irish and everyone feels part of the celebration.

Best St. Patricks Day Pardes

Quirky St. Patricks Day Pardes

It is part of the charm, really. No one talks about the weather quite like the Irish. Sun, rain, wind, mist, all four in the space of an hour and every single one worth commenting on. It is never just “nice” or “bad”, it is “grand but cold”, “dry for now”, or “you’d get blown away out there”.

Talking about the weather is not small talk here, it is a cultural art form. It is how conversations start, how queues become friendly, and how strangers suddenly feel like locals. You will hear it in shops, at bus stops, in pubs, and at breakfast. Sometimes it comes with a smile, sometimes with a sigh, and usually with a knowing shake of the head.

The trick is to embrace it. Complain a little. Laugh a little. Agree that it was better yesterday and will probably be worse tomorrow. Do that, and without even realising it, you will already sound like you belong.

Nothing beats the energy of a GAA match. Whether you are cheering in a pub with locals or taking a seat in the stadium, the passion, speed, and skill on display are infectious. Do not worry if you do not know all the rules yet, the atmosphere alone will make you feel part of a proud community and a living tradition.

Nothing beats the energy of a GAA match. Whether you are cheering in a pub with locals or taking a seat in the stadium, the passion, speed, and skill on display are infectious. There is football and there is hurling, and the atmosphere during matches is like no other. Words can hardly capture it. You simply have to experience it for yourself to understand what makes a game in Ireland truly unforgettable.

The best Irish days aren’t planned to the minute, they’re the ones that unfold naturally, with good food, good company and a comfortable place to stay. That’s what you’ll find across the Great National Hotels collection.