Back in '81 or so I did 2 weeks in Ireland. It was warm and dry. The wind on the west coast was so strong that it flapped the tent so much I lost a few nights of sleep. But 2 stories.
I was riding down the road and saw a nice little brook in a glade of trees, I had not had a bath for a few days. So I took my self and my clothes to the brook, washed myself, found a good flat rock to wash my clothes on. Then hanging the clothes off the back of my bicycle, a 10 yr. old lad came by and asked me if I needed a place to camp for the night. I said "Well that I do" We walked to his farm, he showed me where to camp. I went into town for food and a Guinness or 2. When I woke up in the morning from a cow grazing next to my tent he soon came to my tent with a pint of warm rich milk. Why was it warm do you ask? I went to the farm house and thanked the parents before I left. That was magic.
Story2: I was riding on a small 2 lane road, A cottage to my left. And the man in front of me was closing a gate across the road in front of the railroad tracks. We chatted for a minute. And then I asked if I asked if I could get across the tracks. He said "Sure the train will be by in 15 minutes or so" . He didn't realize I was asking now! I realized my mistake and the rest of Ireland was very pleasant.
Anywhere you go drop your American attitude and adopt the local attitude. You will have more fun!!