Culture Shock! Ireland (Culture Shock! Guides)

Different from a travel guide, this book will help a new Eire inductee gain insight to Ireland and the Irish people themselves whether you are there for vacation, business trip or school. Especially good is the section about Irish history, the people involved in the making of that history and the important player's in making peace in Northern Ireland. Having said that, this book is badly in need of an update since it stops just after the 1998 Peace Agreement was reached. It also helps you to understand where each side is coming from and how not to make conversation faux pas when discussing the often sensitive issue of The Troubles.

The book is great for an overall feel of Ireland's culture but it's not for those who have had much exposure already. Having gone on several trips to Ireland and knowing many native Irish individuals personaly, I found much of the book to be too basic. However I still was still entertained and learned bit more about the Irish in general. I wish I had read it before my first trip; it would have helped me to understand and appreciate the island more at that time.


Before You Go To Ireland, Read This....   October 11, 2002
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

This book is a wonderful preliminary to any first-time excursion to Ireland, as well as a concise compendium of everything Irish. Not a tour-guide; it delves into cultural issues, Ireland's history (up to and including the 1998 Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, which, unfortunately will require a whole new chapter as of today's writing), political faces and national celebrities,interacting with the locals, pub life, key Gaelic phrases, and basically, how to navigate without looking like a total tourist.

I highly recommend this to anyone interested in an introduction to Irish history and current issues, and to anyone who is going to Ireland for the very first time.