7 things you should know about Ireland are: 1. The people are friendly and chatty, speaking in riddles and jokes, though not all have red hair and Catholic influence is less. 2. The history includes 700 years of battle with Britain and neutrality with an active UN peacekeeping force. 3. The main language is English though Irish is spoken in pockets and the president and queen have both spoken Irish on visits. 4. Traditional dance includes jigs, reels and set dancing while music spans traditional folk sounds to modern artists like U2. 5. Drinking, while not universal, is part of the culture though profits from famous drinks often go abroad.