Aug 24-29 Rose of Tralee Festival, Co Kerry. The Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival , Co Cork. Sep 27-30 Galway International Oyster Festival. Oct 18-Nov 4 Wexford Festival Opera. Close community contact is very much part of the Irish way of life and almost everywhere there is an intimate small-town atmosphere.
Pubs are often the heart of a community's social life.
Visitors will find the people very friendly and welcoming no matter where one finds oneself in the country. A meal in an Irish home is usually a substantial affair and guests will eat well. Dinner is at midday and the evening meal is known as tea. Even in cities there is less formal wear than in most European countries and casual dress is widely acceptable as in keeping with a largely agricultural community. Women, however, often dress up for smart restaurants and social functions.