Ireland is 5 hours ahead of EST. The sun rises at 5am and begins setting as late as 9:30pm in June.
The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro and Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom uses the Great British Pound. Credit card and apple pay are widely accepted in Ireland but you should have cash on hand for more rural spot and smaller shops.
Yes, the Irish tip but not as much as Americans do. It is customary to tip 10-15% percent at restaurants, cafes, and pubs if you order food or a lot of cocktails. If you are at a pub you can leave a Euro or two for the waiter if they bring your rounds of drinks, or you can tip the bartender at the end of the evening. (Most Irish don't tip every drink)
The weather is very mild in June, ranging in temperatures from 50 degrees Fahrenheit to low 70s midday. While June is the least rainy month of the year in Ireland, it still may shower briefly during the day and is windy/chilly along the coast.
Packing essentials include an umbrella, rain/wind proof jacket, COMFORTABLE walking shoes, hiking clothes/boots, lots of layers as the temperature ranges throughout the day, and an adapter for a TYPE G PLUG (plug that has 3 rectangular pins in a triangular pattern).
Often, there will not be a shower handle to turn the water on or off. Instead there will be a cord or rope outside the shower that you pull and then a button inside the shower to press to turn on and heat the water. It will take a bit to warm up your shower. Don't forget to press the button and pull the cord or rope when you are done.
There will be food catered to the AirBnB for before and after the wedding :D
Most pubs close by 11-12pm in Ireland but clubs are open until 2:30am!
Do have a sense of humor! The Irish are known for making jokes or jabbing insults at each other in good fun. They are a tactile culture. And they are known for swearing (A LOT) so don't be offended. Do engage in small talk. Small talk as well as please and thank you are considered proper manners in Ireland. Most people in Ireland are of the Catholic religion so keep that in mind if you strike up conversation or go to yell "Oh My GAWD" Tables are often shared in busy pubs/restaurants, and conversing with new people is customary so embrace your inner Terrence and engage in conversation! It is customary to buy a round of drinks for your friends, and if you accept a drink from someone you must buy one for them before they leave. It is very rude to skip your round. That being said, buying rounds is typically more customary than ordering a single drink at a time. Most attire is acceptable at pubs even hiking attire and most people just wear jeans and nice shirt to restaurants and clubs. Do take your time. Irish people are not particularly punctual and not in a hurry. Do eat all of the cheese, butter, and milk products you can because Ireland is known for its high quality dairy products. (sorry Joe) Do watch your wallet in Dublin and in touristy pubs. Pick pocketing is common there. Don't linger at the bar after ordering a drink, it is considered rude and the proper Guinness pour is done in two stages, so it takes a bit. Don't ever take an empty seat/bar stool without asking if it is taken first! Don't order an Irish Car Bomb, ever. Don't use phrases such as "top of the mornin to ya!" or talk about leprechauns, the Irish find this extremely annoying. This is a tough one for a few people in our group, but cultural etiquette in Ireland frowns upon loud people.
Murphys-Similar to Guinness but smoother Bulmers- Popular Hard Cider Smithwicks-Pronounced smith-icks (the W is silent). Is a Kilkenny red ale that's been brewed in Ireland since 1710. It's best described as a balanced taste, somewhere between a lager and an IPA, with mild hops, sweet malt and roasted barley. Irish Gin! Gunpowder, Dingle and Glendalough are popular brands Craft Beers-The craft beer scene is present in Ireland as well and most bars stock them. Ask your bartender for suggestions!
The troubles refer to a time of violence and conflict in Northern Ireland from the late sixties all the way until 1988. The troubles were defined by religious differences between the Protestants and the Catholics as well as geopolitical tension between the British and Irish.