It's 25 things you never thought you'd miss about Ireland. They say that you never know what you have until it's gone and with this list, it couldn't be truer. Those little things that are unique to our country that you never realized were so rare until you were faced with not having them anymore. Prepare to be homesick after reading this and if we've left out any important ones, let us know in the comments section, below. 

1. Sniggering at place names

Back in the motherland, you can go diving in Muff, catch a cold in Birr and drive through Granny, all the while delighting that your level of immaturity is now matched by your new geographical acumen.

2. Chippers

There is absolutely nothing that compares to the hot, delicious, salt and vinegar penetration of the senses otherwise known as a bag of proper chipper chips.

3. Benign creatures



Other countries are full of things that want you dead.

4. Irish slang



Acting the maggot, Banjaxed, Chancer, Divil, Eejit, Flitters, Gob, Header, I am in me wick, Jackeen, Kip, Langers, Manky, Nip, Off your nut, Plonker, Quick hawk, Reddener, Shenanigans, Throwing shapes, Up to ninety, Vit, Wagon, Y-fronts, Yonks, Zipless

5. Amhrán na bhFiann



Very few national anthems have been subjected to the same creative treatment at the hands of its people and athletes as ours. The most artistically interesting interpretations in terms of dance, stance, and lyrics happen at about 2.30am on a Saturday in rural nightclubs all over the country.

6. Not calling St. Patrick’s Day 'Patty’s Day'



For reasons unknown, the rest of the world are convinced that the man who freed us from the tyranny of snakes should share his name with a greasy, disk-shaped serving of meat-like substance.

7. Drawing stuff on the bus window condensation



Regardless of your age, there is something deeply comforting about tracing your finger along a damp bus window during your commute home on the 66B.

8. You’re a lovely girl



Ladies, now that you’re not in Ireland anymore, no longer must you endure the beer-soaked drunk interrupting your conversation to compliment your loveliness while eyeballing your breasts. Instead, you’re stuck abroad with endless conversation while you sigh into your push-up bra.

9. Penneys…



 This is currently the standard response in Ireland when someone compliments any part of your outfit. In fact, in years to come, Penneys, which is our answer to Target or some such, will have replaced the word ‘thanks’. Primark, as it's known in any country outside of Ireland, may have started to crop up in places on the east coast, but for the majority of us, it's still too far away not to miss. 

10. Distinctive cities



Screenwriter and film director Christopher Nolan may not be planning to film his next metropolitan masterpiece in Limerick or Waterford anytime soon but at least our cities don’t incite a sense of déjà vu.

11. Your Mammy’s nagging



The woman who gave you a bowl haircut, numerous spit ‘n sleeve face washes and humiliated you in front of every suitor you ever brought home is now engrained in your mind as a kind-hearted tea giver and all-round provider of comfort.

12. Giving out



Apparently, the native peoples of the Arctic regions have many words for snow. In a similar fashion, the native peoples of Ireland have many words for moaning. Now to foreign ears our rants may seem like begrudgery and grievance, but to us it’s just conversation.

13. The sound of rain



Even if you’ll never admit it, the nostalgia-soaked soundtrack to your life will take you right back to that little isle whenever you hear it playing again.

14. Degrees of separation



While living abroad you attempted to debunk the myth that you automatically know Paidi O’ Reilly because you’re both from Ireland. Back at home, you can actually admit that you most likely do.

15. Chilled-out cows



In comparison to other bovine nationalities, Irish cows are incredibly relaxed. Even Indian cows, whose worries are non-existent, pale in comparison to the truly content disposition of an Irish cow. Moo, man … Moo.

16. Pretending to surf



Only about two people in Ireland can actually surf, anyone else who says they can is lying. This doesn’t stop us heading to the coast to fall off a foam board for half an hour so we can sit in a pub for the rest of the weekend in overpriced board shorts.

17. Quoting Father Ted to people who appreciate it



"You were wearing your blue jumper!" Bwha ha ha ha ha. "Oh, sorry. It’s this Irish TV show about three priests living on an island. And they have this housekeeper who keeps making them tea, even if they don’t want it. No, it’s actually really funny." Peeps from other countries don’t get it and they never will so give up already.

18. Not having to censor yourself



In Ireland a statement like, “Christ, I’m dying but last night’s craic was unreal”, won’t land you in the HR office’s jax weeing into a cup.

19. The dog



As one of the friendliest and least judgemental of the world’s canines, Irish dogs will always welcome you with open paws. Never will you miss the ole mutt more than when you’ve almost had your hand taken off by a fluffy little rat dog.

20. The taxi rank queue (AKA the last chance salon)



This is where all manner of Irish life exists. It is at once an al fresco dining spot, a speed-dating club, a therapist’s couch and a first-aid station.

21. Football



In Ireland the thing we call football actually involves a foot and a ball. Unlike Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada where it should really be called ‘hand egg’. And while we’re on the subject, according to the football gods we also officially have the best supporters in the world.

22. Drinking with your boss



Everywhere else in the world a team building exercise involves stacking purple blocks or having employees knock the bejaysus out of each other. Back at home, we approach team building in the same way as we approach everything–  via the two wooden doors of your Friday night boozer. Simples.

23. The novelty of sun



Remember that scorching hot May bank holiday weekend in 2007 when you went camping in Mullingar? Of course, you do, because the novelty of those two blissful sun-baked days will remain in your memory more than 100 roasty Bondi Beach ones.

24. Tea



Straightforward tea. Try ordering a cuppa tea almost anywhere else and you’ll soon find out it doesn’t exist. Instead, it comes in a variety of sizes in a multitude of languages with several different types of milk, fat content, flavors, and temperatures designed to confuse and bewilder anyone.

25. Snow days



In countries susceptible to freezing weather, they have a thing called an infrastructure. This means when snow arrives everyone goes to work and society doesn’t break down. Thankfully in Ireland, no one bothers with such a thing. Three inches of snow forecast? Welcome to bandit country.

* Originally published in 2013.