Plámásing: The Irish Art of Mind Tricks

It's no secret that here at Rabbie's, we're fans of the places we visit. The stunning landscapes, the quaint towns, the seaside villages alongside crashing waves, all teeming with history and myths and - most importantly - people. The people are what truly make an experience great. People built the monuments we admire today. People welcome us into their homes and pubs and towns to show us the things they love most. People take us to these unforgettable places - people like our driver-guides. 

We love them because they love their countries. Whether born there or drawn there from elsewhere, they make it their passion to know as much as they can about the locations we visit. 

And when I was on the 5-day Escape to the South West tour in Ireland, I was lucky enough to meet one such driver-guide called Marcus. As a proud Irishman hailing from Dublin, he loves showcasing the beauty of his homeland and one of his favourite parts of his homeland is the concept of plámásing. None of us on the tour had ever heard the term before - since it's unique to Ireland - and we were immediately intriguied. 

So, we thought we'd invite him along to the blog to tell us all about it.

Plámásing: The Irish art of mind tricks

by Marcus Howlett

"Long before Luke and Obi-Wan used Jedi mind tricks to get their way, there was Plámásing, the Irish art of flattery to soften someone up so you can bend their mind to your will. Maybe this was the reason why the Star Wars producers chose Ireland as a film location; where better than the home of mind tricks itself?

Hot tip: it's pronounced [plaw-MAW-sing].

The word Plámásing is slang, with origins in Hiberno-English, which is basically the way the Irish speak English. Hiberno-English arose among native Irish Gaelic speakers as they heard more English spoken after the Anglo-Normans arrived in Ireland in the 1170s. Other common Hiberno-English words are Eejit (fool), Craic (fun), and Jackeen (a person from Dublin).

The Irish are famous for speaking in code, and the art of plámásing plays an important role in this mind dance when the Irish engage in conversation, especially within a pub.

Concealing one’s meaning is important when plámásing. So grab a pint of Guinness when you visit the Emerald Isle and use some of these phrases to help you plámás along with the Irish.  

Craic (pronounced ‘crack’) means ‘fun’ or ‘what's going on’, for example: 'What's the Craic?'. If someone in Ireland asks you this, they could be asking 'Are you well?', 'Where are you going?' or perhaps 'What's happening?'. The fun part is figuring out what they mean by 'craic'… or are they plámásing you?"

"Gas is another common term – meaning 'funny'. If somebody says that you're a 'gas person”' they could mean you’re funny, but it could also mean you're chancing your arm, that you're crazy, or you’ve suggested something crazy, like climbing Croagh Patrick in the rain.

How’s she cuttin’? is generally used as a greeting. Or maybe you will hear your Rabbie’s driver in Ireland say 'We are now Sucking Diesel' which means we are making great progress.

Around the Emerald Isle you will hear the Irish saying 'I’m Grand', but be careful… are they grand? 'Grand' could mean anything from very good to absolutely dreadful, because, in the art of plámásing, all may not be as it seems. 

There you have it. Plámásing: the art of Irish mind tricks, charming people to get what you want. It can be used from politics to flirting. So, when you come to Ireland on your Rabbie’s tour, why not try plámásing someone into buying you a pint of Guinness.

And as we say in Ireland: 'May the Craic be with you.'"

Struggling to plámás? Kiss the Blarney Stone

Plámásing is a fine art. A skill. And like any true skill, it can take time to master it. The Irish are born with charm in their veins and are exposed to it from a very young age. But what about the rest of us? We arrive in Ireland, hear the term plámásing, and immediately think we know what real charm is. Alas, we do not. That's what I've learned, at least. But that doesn't mean it can't be taught. 

Or, perhaps you'll try this little trick to help you along... kiss the Blarney Stone. 

Bear with me here as I explain this most interesting tradition that is tied to the dramatic Blarney Castle in Ireland. Marcus explained to us what this strange myth was all about. 

The Blarney Stone is one of Ireland’s great mysteries. Located within the medieval fortress that is Blarney Castle, this stone’s significance is shrouded in myth and legend.  

Many visit the castle with the sole purpose of kissing the stone. Why on earth would anyone do that, you ask? Well, the stone is renowned for its legendary powers, the tradition goes that if you lie flat on your back, crane your head backwards, and give the stone a big kiss, the stone will grant you its powers and you'll receive the “gift of the gab” ... also known as eloquence.

Bravery is required, some dexterity too... but most of all you mustn’t feel any embarrassment over the fact that you’re kissing a stone. 

I was on board when Marcus explained this Irish tradition and I thought: perhaps it will help me with my plámásing. So, the first thing I did when we arrived at Blarney Castle while on the tour was follow the signs to the stone. Up and up we went, it's a windy little path. People must have been smaller in those days because it was a bit of a squeeze (keep this in mind). And if you're not a fan of heights, perhaps consider if you'd really like to do this. I'm not a huge heights fan but did manage alright as I lay on the ground, craned my head back, and gave the smooth and cold stone a sloppy kiss.

But what about this 'gift of the gab'? Was I ever to receive it? As a writer, I already have a way with words (I hope), but there was something deeper to this legend - and it reminded me of plámásing. The Irish are real charmers - it's commonly accepted around the world that the Irish have a way with words. A way of making us forget our troubles and enjoy a pint of Guinness in the local pub. Laughing and singing and eating and drinking. Venting our frustrations to creating new memories. The Irish have charm. So, perhaps they've all visited the stone? It would explain why it's so smooth - kissed that way by millions of Irish lips over the years.

So, why not join in the tradition and see if it works for you? Take some of that Irish charm back home with you.