My three months in Ireland as an intern with Metro Éireann have come to an end, and I can say I’ve really enjoyed my time here. Ireland is a very attractive country for French people, especially for the good reputation of the capital’s pubs and nightlife. Flights here are cheap too, so for many young French people it’s a top destination that lets them combine studying another language – namely English – and having fun.
I stayed in Dublin, which looks like a small city, especially to those coming from larger places like Paris, yet there’s a lot hidden within it. You can cross the entire city in an hour easily, but even after three months I still can find new and fascinating things.
One of the reasons why I want to return is because the Irish people are very open-minded. Maybe that’s because Ireland, or at least Dublin, is a place that’s welcomed a lot of immigrants – and it’s this cultural diversity that is the true treasure of the place.
I also found the Irish very friendly; they will easily come to talk you, particularly in the pub, whereas in France that’s almost unthinkable, there’s simply no place like that back home. The ambiance is very unique, with older and younger generations together around a good pint of Guinness.
I’ll also miss Ireland’s different culture. Many things are close to the English way, such as the love of tea and the fried breakfasts, but in Ireland they get their own twist, and the Irish identity is seen all around, even on street signs.
That being said, there are a few things I won’t forget. Above all there’s the weather – the terrible weather! During my three months, I believe we had no more than two consecutive days of good weather. It can rain at any time, even if there is sunshine, and mixed with the awful wind that we have everyday, it’s easy to get soaked in a flash.
Left-hand drive also drove me crazy. I understand that it’s a vestige of the British Empire, but it’s still weird for me. I had to check three times before crossing a road, afraid to make a mistake and get hit by a car.
Another bad point for Dublin is its cleanliness, or rather lack of it. There are garbage trucks moving through the city every day, but on every street of the city the bins just sit on the pavement, many with transparent bags you can see everything in. Where is the privacy?
Despite those problems, I really appreciated my stay in Ireland, even if I only visited Dublin. The city is just stunning for those who love old stone buildings, with Trinity College and Dublin Castle being two beautiful examples. Indeed the capital’s architecture offers a good compromise between modernity and history – the Spire, for instance – and between the urban environment and green space, as evidenced by the Phoenix Park, the largest urban park in Europe.
But it’s the pubs, the national institution of the country, that are really the places that reflect the best of Ireland, and are something you can’t find anywhere else.
I will really miss you, Ireland.
Romain Redoutey was an intern with Metro Éireann.
