Irish mn'ers, how much can you relate to UK mumsnetters?

[Anotherdayanotherdollar]

I read a lot of different threads on here, and recently I have come across so many issues/practices that I think just don't happen in Ireland. Now, I could be completely off the mark here, obviously there's local/cultural differences everywhere!

I don't know any parents who attend childrens birthday parties with their children (unless family etc),

I'm not aware of any dads who work "compressed hours" to care for their children. Although I know a lot of parents who work opposite shifts I suppose.

Funerals and the culture and practices surrounding death are all very different.

I don't have an abundance of parks/softplay/childrens activities nearby. If I did I'm sure they'd be too expensive to just pop in after school etc. 2 within 40 mins drive of me are €8-10 per hr.

Most children just go to their local school (baptism barrier dependent)

New mums here all seem to be inundated with visitors in hospital after their babies are born. I've never come across a new mum who isn't having visitors for the first week/fortnight etc so that they can bond.

Just a few examples there. So, are these typical observations of Irish people? Or just where I live/work? I know that local amenities are dependent on funding etc but it just seems that despite our close proximity to the UK there are big differences in day to day life.
I hope that all comes across ok. I'm just curious really.

Long school holidays are good for everyone. It has to be planned for, but it works. I have a SN nephew, he is fine. The family is in Spain at the moment, no fines, no worries even though they are in term time. I like the laid back attitude in ROI.

A week out will not hamper a child's education. Well that's the view in ROI and they have great results WRT to education at every level.

Kids need time off. I cannot understand the short hols in UK, thinking of the teachers here too!

The Irish are rebels though and although they conform generally, they will rebel against control. There are no sanctions for taking children out of school in term time for holidays.

I remember Terry Wigan said that to Graham Norton. That the English people won’t be able to pin his accent and judge his pedigree so that he would do well.

The school holidays are great and not too long.

The vast majority of children go on to third level education.

SN nephew gets three weeks one to one care and tuition in his own home here in Ireland too in July, all free. Brilliant supports.

Is there anything like that in Uk Just wondered.

Slanetylor

Wogan was absolutely correct, of course. He knew the English better than they know themselves.

I work with SEN teens in the State sector . Each pupil is accessed individually. Work may or may not be provided depending on a variety of reasons
But, as it's only a six week break the need is not as great as if it were three months as in secondary in Ireland.

Is there such a thing as class division in UK anymore? If so why is that?

I don't think there is the same division in Ireland. Matter of fact anyone rising above their station over there with "notions" will be kicked back to the kerb toot sweet.

Isn't the idea of someone having a "station" in the first place a class construct?

I am learning a lot about the generalisations of us Irish from british women I can tell you although I am thrilled to see that in 12 pages of conversation about it only about 3 posters have made ignorant comments about us Irish and not one has accused any of us of 'having a paddy'. Day totally made :D

"it's far from that s/he was reared " is a well known expression used by the older generation in Ireland .

But everyone / most people have the same station. No one should have “ notions”,

Still very much a class division in most of the UK I would say. I'd imagine it's so entrenched in society now it's hard to break away from. Ireland doesn't have it to the same extent and it's much easier to go from what would be working class to middle class in a generation or so. My parents both did it.

PS it's tout suite

I think that while of course social class exists in Ireland, as in all societies, it’s less stratified, and less conscious of class shibboleths and markers than in England. There’s a less entrenched relationship between social class and education too.

Another thing that always strikes me reading Mn is very different attitudes to emigration in Ireland and England. In England, the public perception seems to be ‘moving to the sun’ lifestyle stuff, and that it’s an anomalous thing to do, whereas in Ireland, it’s entirely normal, or was before the boom.

I’m mid 40s, and my entire generation knew we would have to leave after university for work — and we often spent the university summer vacs working abroad too, because there was not much work at home. I haven’t lived permanently in Ireland since I was n my early 20s, and of my three siblings and me, three of us live abroad. At one point the four of us lived in different continents, and that’s not unusual.

Oh, and another difference — begrudgery! Which I kind of enjoy.

I miss the Irish sense of humour. Irish people have a certain way with words that's hilarious to me. Lots of dry humour and sarcasm. I really can't tolerate overly earnest people as a result. It seems so fake.

@CherryBlossom23

so true.

But I admire your knowledge of the French idiom!

idioms.thefreedictionary.com/tout+suite

Irish living in the UK. Holiday home in Ireland so spend a lot of time there with family. I hate the speedof Irish funerals, I spend so much in last minute flights! Yet the English delays are terrible, 4 weeks is too long to wait.
My kids definitely got less homework that their Irish friends, but more stress here about getting into schools that rural Irish friends , Dublin is similar to where we live here in terms of angst.
One thing I hate is the Irish teenage drinking culture, my kids all drank, from 16/17 ish and go out a lot but they are shocked by their Irish friends rate of drinking. We frequently have hosted teenage parties at home, there is no way any my Irish friends would do that once they hit 14 or 15 as they say they would be out of control.
DS had a job at a summer sports camp in Ireland last year and they occasionally breathalysed the instructors in the morning.

As an Irish teacher I'll take our school system in a heartbeat over the English one. Much healthier for kids and teachers.

The long break and July provision has actually been great for some students I've taught. Gave them the opportunity to focus on social targets with the provision teacher.

Also with regard to school holiday differences, Easter. Christmas ,and and half terms are usually longer in the UK so the actual time spend in school is not that different I think.

And there is a right of passage for teens in Ireland to go for three weeks to the Gaeltacht areas without their siblings or parents either. That is Irish speaking areas only.

I hear they have a great time and improve their speaking and understanding of the Irish language. And probably meet the love of their lives also lol. First time away from home on their own.

That's exactly why it works better for SEN pupils, Carrie . Shorter terms /half terms therefore more frequent breaks to look forward to.

Keyboard, many parents can't afford to send their kids to the Gaeltacht.

13 weeks holiday in the State sector in England. A lot less than in Ireland in total.

Private schools have about 3 weeks more where we live.

195 school days in England v 183 in Ireland (at primary level) per year.