Just like in the United States, the way of life for those who reside in urban areas of Ireland is significantly different from those who call the more rural countryside of Ireland their home. When we visited Wicklow County this morning, some of these differences came to light. First, the rural region seemed a lot less diverse than Dublin. This is most likely because there are fewer opportunities in the rural regions, so they may attract less immigration. Along with this, the people of Kilkenny specifically seemed to be very relaxed and have a slower tempo than the people in Dublin. Also, the people in rural Ireland have a greater connection with the environment and more things like hiking, cycling, and outdoor activities in general for fun. One thing I noticed that stayed constant was the people in both rural and urban’s love for the Gaelic Games. Within the first 5 minutes of talking to a man this morning, he was already telling me about the Kilkenny hurling team. I think this really shows the sense of Irish pride and unity that exists throughout the country.

I feel like people’s perception of us as foreigners hasn’t changed whether we were in Dublin or in the more rural areas. In both places, people have been incredibly welcoming and respectful in their own way. However, it’s usually the people who make the most fun of you here that are the nicest people, and I would say that’s remained true in both places here as well. On the other hand, there have been some people in Dublin who were very unfriendly to say the least, but you’re bound to meet people like that when you’ve spent so long in an area.

The main industries outside of Dublin seem to be those that take advantage of the natural resources that are so abundant in the rural areas. These include areas like sheep farming, agricultural farming, and Christmas tree farming. They also include some of the same industries that are found in Dublin, like pubs/restaurants and more touristy shops. The main industries that Dublin has that we did not see in the rural areas are the presence of big businesses in the technology and financial services sectors.

I would say there was a large entrepreneurial presence in rural Dublin, but a lot of these businesses seemed to be on a small scale. Just down the road from Kilkenny Castle, there was an area filled with local vendors selling their products out of tents. I had the pleasure of talking to a couple who made handmade jewelry and wood carvings. These two embodied the entrepreneurial spirit and were incredibly reasonable and friendly. Also, the sheep farmers are all entrepreneurs, and I found it particularly interesting that these businesses have been passed down from generation to generation.