See title.
I see the reason for having it outside is being able to always have them open for ventilation. Since Ireland has a mild but humid climate.
Opening to the inside inteferes with having plants on the window sills.
Why not have a combination of both?
Best Answer
I've found some details about use and locale usage of window directions and some arguments for both choices:
http://www.luxal.co.uk/inward-and-outward-opening-windows/
Summing up the claims by Frank Tate:
The direction is more seperated between northern (Scandinavian, UK) versus central and southern countries (Pt, Es, Fr, De, It, ...).
Both solutions have unique advantages in regard to climate and handling: