The Lonely Planet on Ireland

“The two decades since 1990 have transformed the country immeasurably, with prosperity, modernity and multiculturalism helping shift traditional attitudes and social mores,” the book notes.

It notes too that we are more than used to this austerity and in some ways that is to our credit: “The Irish – fatalistic and pessimistic to the core – will shrug their shoulders and just get on with their lives.”

Drink and the pub does of course get a mention and Lonely Planet notes that there is “no sign of letting up” when it comes to “the country’s most popular social pastime”.

http://www.thejournal.ie/pessimistic-boastful-but-loves-a-drink-what-lonely-planet-says-about-ireland-326313-Jan2012/

Pretty much sums it up, I'd say