Getting to know the people

Going to festivals and professional conventions related to your work or hobbies is good way meet real people anywhere.
For example I go to Jazz festivals in small towns the average Ammerican traveler never heard of all over Europe and meet people that way.
Going to neighborhood bars not obviously aimed at the tourist area is a good way.

Chat with the locals. Go into a small shop and ask about the town. Anything to start a conversation. Don't discount talking to other tourists - many of the people I talked to in tourist spots were Irish or British, quite a few Scots. I spent an hour with a couple of women in a pub in Galway, mother and middle-aged daughter who are Dubliners. They shared their life stories, views on politics, religion, and more with lots of laughs. On another occasion, I was in a pub in Temple Bar, having a pint alone and a woman sat next to me at the bar and started a conversation. She was from Belfast, having a day trip "away from it all." We talked for well over an hour about serious subjects, mostly comparing our two countries histories and politics. It was enlightening for both of us.

One of my best experiences started as the worst day of my 3 weeks in Ireland. I was on my own in Dublin after a 2-week tour. I was going to Kilmainham Gaol and took the Luas. Someone on the tram told me to get off at the next station. He was wrong. I ended up walking over a mile and of course as soon as I started walking it started to rain. I finally got to the Gaol and was told they'd just sold the last tickets for the day (it was before you could buy in advance). I was cold, literally dripping wet, and very unhappy and a began to trudge back. At the corner, there was a pub - perfect. I would dry off, have a bowl of steaming hot soup for lunch and a cold pint. Like most pubs, this one had several rooms. Once I was dry and in a better mood (a pint will do that), I started to explore and wandered into a room where a couple of retirees were playing darts. They explained the game, chatted and joked with each other, the other patrons (who were acquaintances), the bartender, and included me in the camaraderie, even encouraged me to try my hand at the game - it's a lot harder than it looks!

Beck we always try to take in a local sports event while traveling and we always get to know locals that way. While in Dingle we learned there was a Gaelic football replay of the boys from Dingle vs Killarney. We chose to sit in the Dingle team stands and started chatting with the spectators and immediately learned about the game and made some local friends. Don't be afraid to sit right in the main stand and ask questions, we had a blast. I did a similar thing while visiting Cinque Terre in Italy, it was soccer match there in Moneglia, the town we stayed in . The local young mens team (18-25ish aged guys) were playing a team from another town in the area. Great fun, got to know the locals. So if you have any interest in sports at all, take in a local club team match! Enjoy

Thank you everyone for these suggestions. We are particularly taken by the idea of a local sporting event. And pubs are always fun.

Becky

Hello from Wisconsin,

Sounds like you will be spending some time in Ireland. Here is a sure fire way to interact. As you travel keep your eye out for a small place that has a couple pubs, and two grocery stores. Get out, walk around and ask where you can buy a loaf of Irish brown bread. That is one interaction. Go to the store and try to buy a half loaf of this heavy brown bread. Then get some cheddar or butter. Next ask at the store or on the street who pours the best pint of Guinness. Go have a pint. Ya got like four interactions here, plus you just bought lunch. Brown bread and butter/cheddar.

The other way is to stay in a smaller place and keep revisiting a pub so the locals get curious why you aren't moving on. This has the advantage of them starting the interaction and slowing your trip down.

June is the start of tourist season. If you can go in May it might be a bit more friendly to visitors. If you are in 'the spots of Ireland' they get a little weary of tourists.

wayne iNWI

Have been to Ireland twice, third trip planned for next Spring. One time I was traveling with my son and we stopped in a small town to stretch our legs and use the facilities. I was standing outside a shop waiting for him when an older man walked by on his way to get a haircut, which he would have gotten the day before but for the weather, etc., etc. All I had done was nod and say hello and we ended up having a pleasant 20 minute conversation on the street. Also try to eat at a few places like McDonaghs in Galway that has communal seating (and good fish). We had a memorable conversation with a young man there one evening.

Staying in Bed and Breakfasts are a great way to interact with the locals. The hosts have a wealth of information they are happy to share and most are very personable.

I think Ireland is the easiest place to connect with locals. We did on the DART headed out to Howth, on the train heading to Belfast and in multiple pubs. Smile, nod, ask a question and you are golden!