7 misconceptions Americans have about Ireland

Americans love Ireland - probably because the majority of us can claim one of our ancestors came from the Emerald Isle. However, a lot of beliefs Americans have about Ireland are incorrect. Hollywood is always putting out movies like "P.S., I Love You" that perpetuate these common misconceptions about the place we might or might not have come from way back when. Here is a list of seven misconceptions Americans have about Ireland that are about to be squashed.

1. Ireland is a land of sunshine, rainbows and leprechauns.
Actually, it rains. A lot. Think about how often Minnesota snows, and that's probably equivalent to how much Ireland rains. How did you think its land got to be so vibrantly green?

2. Ireland is expensive.
It's not. When you compare the above BBQ burger from Rockin Joe's at seven euros to the cheapest burger at Texas Roadhouse starting at $8.59, it's really quite cheap. If you shop at Tesco or Dunne's, you might be paying more for food, but a true local prefers Aldi or Lidl. And, of course, most people get their clothing from Penney's. Don't forget, minimum wage is much higher (9.25 euros) and therefore, living costs are a lot more affordable. Apartment rent is as low as 300-some euros in Cork City, a massive difference from a $1,000/month apartment in Springfield, Missouri (which I still don't understand.)

3. Irish food is terrible.
That's a downright lie. Everything I've had here is delicious, and usually a lot better tasting and healthier than American cuisine. I even like the potatoes here, and I hate potatoes (then again, the Irish did invent potatoes, and it's hard to beat that.)

4. There's only one Irish accent.
Right. The same way there's only one American accent.

​5. Ireland is always warm.
Nah, girl. It's often quite cold, especially in the winter. While it's warmer than the Midwest or Colorado, for instance, it's a different kind of cold that has been stated as a damp cold that cuts right through you. To put it into perspective, even Canadians, Swedes and the Polish freeze over here.

6. Everyone drinks here.
While this is mostly true (the Irish certainly love their drink,) not EVERYONE drinks here. But the ones that do are a lot less likely to judge the ones that don't than Americans are.

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​7. Ireland is completely rural, except for Dublin.
I mean, even Kansas has its big cities. That's cities, plural.