Food
Ireland has a reputation for specialising in pub grub — lots of meat and even more potato. Which to a point, is still true. But these days the standard of pub food has risen dramatically.
The fact is, Irish food is standard western fare and the quality will vary from one establishment to another. If you stay in B&Bs, and wherever possible you should, you will enjoy a big breakfast of fried bacon, eggs, black pudding, sausages and tomato every morning.
Drink
It would be lazy to sum up the Irish drinking scene in one word — Guinness. And while it would be remiss not to at least try a pint of the famous black stuff, Ireland's drinking scene does extend beyond it. In most bars and restaurants, there is always a wide selection of wines and beers at affordable prices.