Good Craic (Social Life in Ireland)

Please don't be alarmed by the title I promise that crack and craic mean two different things in Ireland (also that's how you pronounce craic by the way). Good craic is what the Irish use to describe something that is good fun, and has become a easy descriptor to use for my time spent here so far.
Pubs are a cornerstone in Irish social life, and not just in the ways you might be thinking- people of ALL ages still go out to the bars. Unless you are in a late night club there really isn't such a thing as a "old person place" and a "younger person place", around here they gladly cater to all. Pubs are a place of community assembly, especially in Spiddal the small little town we reside in. It is where the community goes to discuss politics (which we learned in this past election week), to complain about certain tax prices, or just to simply meet up and talk about the weather. If you are looking to make quick friends with the locals or find a quiet place to escape and do your homework while in Ireland the pubs are where you need to go. Also it should be noted that going to the pubs here is like going to a community event, you are going to get drunk or make a fool of yourself you are going to socialize and enjoy each others company. It is simple and easy to make friends in Ireland, people are always welcoming whereas in the states when you are with friends out you would tend to ignore the creepy people who try to talk to you- here though that is where you find the best conversations. They aren't creepy they're friendly and overall you learn a good life lesson with every bar mate you find.