Ireland : Safety by CityIreland is an island located in north-western Europe which has been politically divided in 1920 into two parts: Ireland (that takes up the majority of the island) and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
Though it was a relatively poor country during the 20th century, Ireland, along with the United Kingdom, joined the European Community in 1973, experiencing a sudden economic boost (known as “the Celtic Tiger”) that lead to Ireland becoming one of the richest countries in Europe.
However, the global banking crisis hit Ireland as well which caused high levels of unemployment consequently, which lasted until Ireland gradually started getting back on its feet during the past couple of years.
Ireland is mostly known for its many natural wonders.
There is plenty to see in this country: from its coastline to gorgeous and well-known lakes and green landscapes to lose yourself in, to wild mountains, this country offers its visitors an abundance of adventure and broad scope of activities to choose from.
Warnings & Dangers in Ireland
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Ireland is overall, very safe and you will probably encounter no problems when traveling there. Still, do not let your guard down and be vigilant at all times.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Transportation is very safe and reliable in Ireland. Still, take precautionary measures when driving in rural areas, because road safety is low there, especially in Louth county, as this city has the highest level of road offenses.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Since Ireland is a popular tourist destination, it is expected that pickpockets operate in larger cities. Petty theft is the most common form of crime in Ireland, but following basic precaution rules, should take care of this issue.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There are almost no threats of natural disasters in Ireland, apart from occasional flooding during spring.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Although there are areas that should be avoided at night, especially around streets with pubs and bars, Ireland is relatively safe when it comes to mugging or kidnapping, though precaution is still advised. Be wary of overly friendly people willing to give you directions, since they may lead you into a secluded area and steal from you.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Ireland's recent history, there is a heightened threat for residents of north-western Europe, so extreme precaution is recommended.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There is no risk of getting scammed in Ireland, but still be careful when receiving change, check it twice, negotiate everything in advance and be wary of people offering you unwanted help, directions, etc.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Even though Ireland is pretty safe for women traveling solo, sexually motivated assaults are on the rise in Dublin and it is advised that unaccompanied women take extra precaution measures, especially after dark.
So... How Safe Is Ireland Really?
Ireland is a very safe country to visit.
Compared to other European countries, crime is relatively low and the crime that does happen is mostly fueled by alcohol, so you should avoid roaming along Ireland’s streets late at night.
If it’s completely necessary, better take a taxi to drive you home in order to avoid intoxicated people willing to start a fight.
Also, be careful when you’re asking for directions.
If you stumble into an overly friendly passenger who volunteers to show you directions, you might get lead into a secluded street and get mugged, sometimes with a weapon.
Pickpockets also operate, like in any tourist destination, but they usually rally in larger cities, and around crowded places such as railway and train stations or popular tourist landmarks.
Be careful with your belongings when in larger cities, keep your valuables in a safe place in your accommodation and never leave anything of value in plain sight.
Roads in Ireland are mainly well maintained, so much so that they earned Ireland a reputation of a country with some of the safest roads in Europe.
However, this doesn’t apply to rural areas, whose roads are riddled with potholes, many of which can go unfixed for weeks.
Many roads in the country are also narrow and winding, and extreme caution is advised when driving along Ireland’s countryside.
How Does Ireland Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Ireland | 83 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Slovenia | 87 |
| Japan | 83 |
| Ghana | 73 |
| Portugal | 57 |
| Slovakia | 80 |
| Greece | 73 |
| Australia | 86 |
Useful Information
Visas
Many countries do need a visa in order to enter Ireland. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of departure from Ireland. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
The official currency in Ireland is the euro. Ireland is pretty expensive as the rest of north-western Europe, so plan on spending around 150 euro per day, including accommodation.
Weather
Ireland has a temperate maritime climate, thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the presence of the Gulf Stream; otherwise, it would have the same extreme temperatures as other countries at that latitude. Ireland receives a lot of precipitation yearly, which makes it so popularly green all over. Winter in Ireland is characterized by clouds and rain with the occasional sunny spell.
Airports
Dublin Airport is an international airport serving Dublin and the busiest and biggest airport in Ireland. It is located 10 km north of Dublin in Collinstown, Fingal.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Ireland, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Ireland Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 9 |
| Low °C | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| High °F | 46 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 59 | 64 | 68 | 66 | 63 | 57 | 50 | 48 |
| Low °F | 36 | 36 | 37 | 39 | 43 | 48 | 52 | 52 | 48 | 45 | 39 | 36 |
Ireland - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Cork | 68 |
| Drogheda | 72 |
| Dublin | 73 |
| Galway | 71 |
| Limerick | 85 |
This country should feature on your bucket list. Several times.
Ireland is a very safe, modern & vibrant country. There’s far more to it than Dublin. Head south. See Cork & Kerry. Go west, see Galway. People are friendly. Quality Police service too. Medical services are far cheaper than U.S. and easily as good (if not better). Highly recommend, I would move there if I could get a visa.
Enjoy being helped out
Do not be over suspicious of people volunteering to help you. The Irish are friendly and like to show off their knowledge so will often go to your aid, even in Dublin, if they see you reading a map or looking lost. Use your judgement. Central Dublin can be dodgy but most of the rest of the country is very safe.
Very safe country. Make sure you spend some time in Galway, Clare, Kerry and Cork. The small gems of Ireland are the best spots around Ireland, with friendly people and a welcoming atmosphere. Hope Ireland stays this way
Easy to get around and see lots.
Stayed in Dublin near RED Cow Luas stop . Easy to go anywhere in Dublin on the
Luas ( electric tram line ) and buses all over Ireland from RED Cow . Bought a 7 day unlimited ride pass that I used on Luas , city buses and DART train that runs along Dublin coast on Irish sea. Enjoyed my 10 day trip and would love to go back.
Experienced solo traveller.
Amazing Isle. Recommend heading west to Connemara. Amazing views 🌅
Ireland is an amazing country and everyone should experience the treasures this isle contains. Dublin is the most popular being the capital. However, if your looking to encounter the real Irish experience I recommend going west to Galway ☘️ You cannot miss medieval city walls of Galway with its Spanish Arch or huge and impressive Cathedral. Nearby Galway you then can explore Connemara National Park, which boasts the beautiful mountains, vast marshes, forests and heaths. The only crime here is how good the Guinness tastes!! 🇮🇪🇨🇦
A special place
Wonderful country…
Very friendly people who genuinely come across as very happy. This is a country which has gone from extremely religious to very progressive. Dublin is nice but it is a city, the real Ireland is places like West Cork by the sea, or Kerry, Galway, Donegal etc. – this is the true Irish experience. I really like it in Ireland – I would love to come back.
Mayo to Donegal on the west coast is absolutely beautiful. Less advertised than Cork and Kerry but also less commercialized.
Disgraceful
This article is obviously written by someone who has never been to Ireland. I’m both offended and shocked at what is described here. Of the many inaccuracies detailed the idea that our friendliness is taken as a set up for a mugging is ridiculous and untrue, is it possible sure as it would be anywhere you come across a bad person, is it probable ? No, I’ve never even heard of it happening here. Most notably your assumption that basically all crime is alcohol fuelled is a cultural stereotype and nothing more. It comes off as ignorant and based off an outdated notion of drinking fighting Irish people. We are a nation of scholars and poets, of world class golfers and exceptionally friendly people. Do not be afraid of that which makes our nation great. Visiting Ireland you are very unlikely to encounter any crime, check newspaper articles online for your destination and you’ll get a clear picture of that area. There are areas where crime does occur, usually in larger cities but online news will inform you and you can be informed about any trouble spots. Whoever wrote the article has absolutely no idea about Ireland take it from me, 38 year old Irish born and resident.
Home sweet home
As I’m reading I’m thinking who are you….???
The Irish are admired world wide for their friendly energy hard work ethics and the welcoming smiles.
The magic is in our moral and ethical value of life ,and this is what draws visitors to our shore. They always leave feeling they have been home and leave with a heartful of Irish Soul….
No one fault its beauty and the warmth of its entirety.
Travelled Ireland as a solo female
Sharon, I travelled to your Beautiful country (and a country of my ancestry) as a single female traveler in my 30’s. It was my first time traveling alone and I spent 10 days driving my little rental car (on the opposite side of the road for me) from Shannon up through Ennis and Galway, went to Inishmore Island, back on mainland, a bit more north, I just let the smaller roads take me where they may, across toward Dublin, then down the coast to Waterford, Cork and ended around that area taking the ferry across. I encountered many, many things on that trip and not one of them was negative! Beautiful scenery, helpful, friendly people, and I never felt unsafe! I fell in love with Ireland on that trip and tell every person I encounter that it’s absolutely amazing and a must experience destination! I now have a family and hope to bring my husband and 2 daughters as soon as Covid and health safety allows. This article does not paint an Irish picture, just a “travel anywhere for dummies” picture. ❤
Not Perfect
I was born in Ireland and lived there until I was 35 years old. I take objection to Sharon’s response. True, Ireland is a beautiful country, safe, friendly but I would like add that one needs to be careful around the pubs after closing especially in the center of Galway. Fights do break out and the A&E can get a bit over crowded at the weekends after the pub closing.
It is a great country but not a perfect country.
Proud to live in this beautiful place....
Thank you for writing that piece Sharon. As we say in Ireland you hit the nail on the head…in that what you say is true. Ireland is a magical place…people are so genuinely friendly and yes we will offer assistance with a smile if you ask for help or if we see you need help. The overdrinking tale also annoys me. I am a non drinker andnot the only one. We have amazing pubs with atmosphere..history and music sessions and food but we are not a nation of alcoholics. Visit our country and put East Cork on you itenerary. Cork city is gorgeous and so much to visit and see in East Cork.
Yes
Yeah like sexual assualts in Dublin?.? I haven’t seen one in my whole life the real safety index is 97 not 83.
What a load of rubbish, terrorism in Ireland? We are probably the least likely country in the world to experience terrorism.
I’m tipp man proud of irl what ,load bollks
As a 40 year old Paddy folks tbqh unless you are a member of either the Kinahan or Hutch family you have feck all to worry about.
Irish people are overly friendly by nature so please do not be wary!
Do not believe what you read about Ireland in this article. It is easiest one of the safest countries in the world. There is little to zero chance of terrorism in Ireland and the idea that there is a medium risk of kidnapping is laughable! There is NO kidnapping in Ireland!!
DO NOT Be wary of overly friendly people willing to give you direction – Irish people LOVE helping tourists out and LOVE talking so I’d be more worried if no one offered to help you! Random strangers will most definitely strike up a conversation. We are very proud of our country and a friendly nation so it is completely normal for people to be overly friendly and genuine.
Obviously there is the usual petty crime so as with any travel, keep your wits about you and know where you’re going but take this review with a pinch of salt, it is a very safe country.
Be Afraid!
Some truth in the above article – and some nonsense too. The most salient point is the inherent danger of rural driving. Yes the Irish are very friendly, yes the ‘friendly directions could get you mugged’ is nonsense. But the standard of driving is atrocious and you need to be very cautious. You haven’t lived till you see how the Irish negotiate and indicate at a roundabout. Clueless. I speak from personal experience – having lived here for 5 years – and the comparative experience of driving all over the world – from the US, across Europe, the Middle East and on to the Far East. The last time I heard reference to it on the news something like 125,000 people were driving the roads of Ireland who shouldn’t be – and that’s a lot in a country of 4 million people. That’s dodgy cars, people who failed their test and are uninsured or banned following other motoring offences. And alcohol. They care not a jot and readily get back on the roads. There are clowns to the left of you – clowns to the right and the Irish state lacks the resources and the police the manpower to do anything about it! And the tame courts do precious little. You can disagree all you like – but it’s true. Be afraid!
This is complete nonsense! Ireland has the second lowest traffic accident death rate in Europe at 29 per million, beaten only by the UK at 28 per million.
Dodgy cars? What country did you think you were in because it doesn’t sound like the Ireland I live in… We have a National Car Test has been operating since 2000, ‘the NCT is a compulsory vehicle inspection programme in Ireland. The primary aim of this programme which falls under the EU Directive 2014/45, is to improve road safety…’ also ‘The National Car Test is a mandatory check to make sure that vehicles are safe to be on Ireland’s roads. Cars which are less than 3 years old do not require a test. Cars which are between 4 and 9 years old are required to be tested every two years. Cars which are between 10 and 29 years old are required to be tested every year.’
Silly billy
Your Def from a country not too far from us who has a superiority complex. It just leaks out of you. We have the strictest drink driving limits in the world and its an immediate 3 month ban if your caught. The standard of driving could be better, but that’s true everywhere.
Safe except Louth
Very good country with lots to do and very diverse. Drogheda is very dangerous, however, being as bad as areas like Macaresh in my opinion. Felt very unsafe as a woman in broad daylight! I personally feel Cork is the safest with effectively no crime. Dublin city bad for crime and Galway near to none
Ignore this scaremongering
There have been several times where I have been helping a lost tourist and said, “You know what it’s on my way, sure I’ll walk with you and make sure you get there” and according to this ridiculous article that means they should be scared I want to take them to an alley and rob them, possibly with a weapon?! The person that wrote this clearly has never been to Ireland, this is apparent. Anybody considering going to Ireland definitely do not pay attention to this scaremongering. You will meet the warmest, friendliest and most helpful people and have a wonderful experience. Enjoy!
Travel in Ireland
I lived in Ireland in the mid 1990s returning nearly every year until recently. Having traveled to many other parts of the world, including living in two other countries, I can say that there is no other place I would rather be than Ireland. It is the about as safe a place for travelers, especially women and young people, that I can imagine. That includes the cities, which are far safer than American cities (there are practically no guns). The people are naturally very friendly and helpful, especially if they see someone in trouble. The Garda Síochána (the National police service) is highly professional and, in my opinion, is better than most American police. Violent crime is very rare. About the worst thing that I can imagine happening to a traveler there is that you might get pickpocketed or something like that.
I cannot wait until the pandemic is over so I can visit again.
Nothings wrong with it so go if you feel lucky
Its very safe no country is perfect though so i wouldn’t be surprised if i saw someone stealing a box of cheerios. Everyone i’ve ever met was nice there and its extremely big and beautiful so Ireland you’re alright in my book. Plus all forms of corporal punishment are illegal there so hey maybe there will be nicer kids in the future there. Who knows?
I have lived in Ireland all my life (40 years old). Growing up we never locked the door to our house. Was always open and no fear of being robbed. When i was younger after going to a nightclub, i would walk home 30 minutes at 3am in the dark on my own and come home to the door unlocked, was always completely safe and would never have considered a risk! I work in the ‘police force’ here. Due to huge levels of immigration to Ireland from poorer countries crime levels are rising. a lot more petty theft and some sexual assaults on females especially in Dublin. I do lock my door now and wouldn’t recommend a female to walk alone late at night However still an extremely safe country.
Im Paranoid so Help Me Out
never been want to go
stuff on line scares me
where the best places
to go and things to
see
A very acceptable school trip still things can happen in any country
Been to dublin on a school trip. It was quite a trip. Plus i didn’t experience any crime. I wouldn’t leave crime out in any country though. Its overall pretty safe depending on your experiences and how you handle certain situations. Still its worth going to learn about it or even taking a tour of the colleges. I’m just saying what i’ve been through. Theres no reason to avoid it unless you want to.
I lived in Ireland in the early 80’s. my parents were from there and it was their second attempt at moving back, with 3 narrowback children in tow. I loved living there and i would defend Ireland against any un just descriptions of Her.I was lucky to be a teenager when i got there and left at age 20 due to economic issues that plagued Ireland in the 1980’s.I hitchhiked all over the place and never had an issue ! though i did live in west Kerry ! to those not in the know its very Rural ! I loved it then and now ! Dublin i have only been to 1x and its a city like any other ( better due to irish history imo) . just be be aware dont talk politics or stereotypes and DONT say your IRISH ! even i dont do that and i’m a dual citizen and lived/went to school there!
The safest country in the world
bro I have to tell this to you this is the best place to visit it’s so safe like its beautiful if anyone questions this I am questioning your sanity as a person who lives in Wexford near the hook lighthouse