I have been in Ireland for one year, when I have been in High School, and I really have to say, that I do not completely agree with you. The Irish people are very nice and unbelievably friendly. I can agree with your term of the overpriced situation in Ireland but I guess that is how it is supposed to be. New York or London aren't comparable to the prices here because they are overpriced too. It is really harsh how you think about the Irish culture and I have to say that I am deeply sorry that you happened to have such a bad time there, but I really enjoyed Ireland.

ok, maybe you had better luck than me regarding meeting irish people...some people say that outside dublin there's anotehr ireland...anyway, im not bothered anymore and to be honest with you most of my non-irish friends ahve a simlar opinion to mine, again, it might be just dublin but i have also worked in a youth hostel and seen lots of disappointments here, a lot more than i used to see in people's faces when i lived in scotland but thats not the point anyway...i dont kno wwhen you were here also..i respect ur opinion...i never meant to say it's impossible to meet nice irish ppl or have a good time here but it's not what it looks like now.

Dear Raf,

Sorry to hear you've been having such a bad time in Dublin. I'm Irish - and hopelessly biased - but I'd agree with a lot of your complaints about high prices and the lack of outdoor activities. I'm a bit shocked by your comments about Irish people, even though I never really believed the idealistic guidebook vision of welcoming Dubliners. Obviously I can't really relate to what it's like being foreign in Dublin but your experience of agressive locals and abusive bosses is horrific.

I honestly don't think it was always like this so perhaps it'll improve now that the economic tide has turned. I know of lots of expats who have lived in Dublin and had a great time - and made lots of Irish friends so hopefully you were just very unlucky.

Anyway, best of luck with the rest of your time in Ireland,

Gary

Hiya, I can relate to some of what you've gone through. I come from the US and have an Irish passport and while my status as a foreigner has not been as rough as yours, I can relate. The economy has not made it the best time to come to Ireland but it was the right time for me. I applied everywhere in my field and after 3 months I did find a job(not in my field) but because of it's nature, it will slow significantly as the new year starts and it won't be worth it to stay on. Some of the people I handed my cv to were nice but some were not. Early on, I did get hired for a job at a restaurant for a tryout. They never called. When I returned to see what the situation was, the manager acted as if she never saw me, gave me the runaround and I never got paid. I have heard other first hand stories like this happening at other places. I have gotten involved with sports and the music scene as a way of meeting people too. While most of the Irish I've met have been polite and welcoming, they only seem to take it so far. They are not very inclusive, at least the ones I've met. It is much easier to make friends at home. We don't care where you are from. Unless you are a total loon, you're in, and we have some of those too. So like Raf, says, unless you have a job lined up or are a student, it's not the best time to try to make a life in Ireland.

Hi

I see you have had a rough start. I arrived in the country fortunately with job in hand as we were much sought after in the hospitals at the time I arrived in 2002. I did have a culture shock but not quite the same as yours. It was more that I expected more from ireland as a so-called first world country. When I saw the hospital I was to work in and the equipment in comparison to what I left behind I was soooo disapointed that I started applying for jobs in the uk within the first 3 months. As an outdoor person, it rained all of the first 3 months and I found that the weather was the 2nd major shock. I was ready to leave seriously until I started a spanish language course and met my husband there. I think if you are single and have no friends, Ireland is not the place to be. I arrived in ireland as a single parent so I had more problems on my plate than just looking after myself. The agent that brought me here fortunately looked after my needs such as accommodation, banking and showing me around. There are many things I still don't like about ireland but the people are not the worst. I have not been treated badly since arriving here. I have grown to love the country and it took the first 5 years living here to crack it. You have to give any country and new culture at least 5 yrs before you critisize. There are many things about my own country that I dislike as well. I have settled down now in the country side which I love outside of dublin. I am not a fan of dublin city. I love living near the sea, the greenery, farm animals and the quiet lifestyle with no trimmings. I find the elderly irish people very charming and warm and we even have a dear friend of 91yrs. It really depends on what you want out of life and what is important. If it is family and quiet country life or a hectic fast pace city life. There is wisdom in the idea of going with the flow and make the best of what you have. Ireland is not easy but what country and culture is going to meet all your expectations. Make the best of what is on offer and don't expect too much else you will be disappointed.

Hi Raf,

I just came across your post although its over a year old I would still like to comment. I am Irish, and I moved to Canada over 2.5yrs now and just before the recession kicked in, in Ireland. As an Irish person I am saddened to hear you are having such a hard time with making friends or feeling unwelcome in my country.
I am from another county in Ireland, and I really don't know what it is like to live in Dublin, I do hear great things but I only visit there now and then. Dublin is the capital of Ireland as we know, and apparently "we" outside of it are referred to as "being from the country" although I am from the 3rd largest city of Ireland. Anyway, now that I am away I see things in a different light, us as Irish people can be very negative for sure, we do not accept other cultures very easily because we did not grow up in a multi-cultrual society like it is here in Canada. We also get very frustrated with our government for the way they treat their own people when new immigrants arrive in our country they sometimes are treated better, therefore, it leaves a sour taste in people's mouth, if you get my understanding. But most of all since Ireland became the "Wealthiest Country" in Europe, the so-called "Tiger Economy" etc....it changed the Irish people, I am in my thirties and it has only been in the last 10/15 years or so this change occured. We as a nation became greedy, selfish people not the kind you do read about or use to read about. We were always know for our friendliness and to be very hospitalable people, and some of us still are, its the younger generation that have no appreciation of how hard it was or what it is to go without. Just like Sanbo said the older generation are just the nicest and most charming people, they are old school, people who knew what hard times were.

The weather well that has always been an issue, it sure does rain alot in Ireland, but its something a person should know before they come. My move to Canada was not an easy transitition either, it was a huge culture shock, a hugwe adjustment, I may speak English but sometimes I may as well not, because our English is different. It is very expensive here, more than Ireand to live in Vancouver. Ireland became expensive when we got the euro currency, but was not like that before. I am not a bit more settled here and I do miss my family and friends, I miss being amongst my own people just like you. We are all different and brought up in different cultures we don't always see or understand each others.

I do hope your time has become a little better since you wrote your comment.

Wishing you all the best from a nice Irish person :)