From the quintessential Irish Mammy to love of all things GAA, the Irish have traits that make us different from our neighbours. In this often hilarious guide, social anthropologist David Slattery takes us through the rules of being Irish, from how to approach an Irish wedding or funeral to the Irish attitude to health, business, politics, death, Christmas and being cool. For his research, David canvassed undercover for a major political party during an election campaign, attended opportune weddings and funerals, and interviewed doctors, psychiatrists, and builders: ‘I have begged, spied, knocked down my house, got a job, dressed in drag and drank in many pubs — all in the interest of science.’ An interesting and amusing look at our national quirks and idiosyncracies, How to Be Irish should also prove invlaubale to the tourist or foreigner who wants to blend in without a fuss.
