Ireland

Irelandhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/northern-europe/irelandIrelandhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/how-to-stay-safe-while-traveling-irelandHow to stay safe in Ireland, from using common sense while hiking along cliff tops to avoiding dodgy areas at night.2020-08-01T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/how-to-stay-safe-while-traveling-irelandhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>I wasn’t prepared for this. Just 10 minutes into my hike up Croagh Patrick mountain in County Mayo, the rain set in remarkably quickly, my shoes slipped on the wet ground and I fell and hurt my hip.</p> <p>It was dry and sunny when I began my ascent; Ireland’s fickle weather has taken another victim. While it may be one of the friendliest and safest countries in the world, <a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/petty-crime-ireland" target="_blank" title="Crime in Ireland: What Travelers Need to Know">traveling in Ireland is not without risk</a>.</p> <p>Here are some safety tips for your Irish holiday.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#cliffs"> Ireland’s sheer cliff drops </a></li> <li><a href="#cycling"> Cycling dangers in Ireland </a></li> <li><a href="#dublin"> Crime hotspots in Dublin </a></li> <li><a href="#surfing"> Surfing safety in Ireland </a></li> <li><a href="#reception"> Limited reception around Ireland </a></li> <li><a href="#hiking"> Poor weather conditions in Ireland </a></li> <li><a href="#podcast">Listen to The World Nomads Podcast episode on Ireland</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="cliffs">1. Ireland’s cliffs are deadly</h2> <p>Ireland’s dramatic sea cliffs are among the country’s most visited attractions. Each year, more than one million visitors head to the stunning Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, while Slieve League in County Donegal is equally spectacular, it is not quite as popular. Rather than putting up fences to stop people from going too close to these sheer drops, Irish authorities rely on the common sense of visitors.</p> <p>Unfortunately, many visitors see the absence of fences as an invitation to go right to the cliff edges, particularly to take photos. This results in many deaths.</p> <p>At the Cliffs of Moher alone, 66 people died between 1993 and 2017. In <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/coroner-s-court/student-seen-taking-lots-of-selfies-at-cliff-edge-before-fatal-fall-1.3964046" target="_blank" title="Irish Times: News">July 2019 a student fell while trying to take a selfie</a>, and in October 2019 a young man fell from the cliffs as well.</p> <p>Please stay well back from the cliff edges.</p> <h2 id="cycling">2. Cycling in Ireland is amazing but dangerous</h2> <p>Ireland’s scenery is untamed and very attractive to keen cyclists. However, there are only a few dedicated cycle lanes, and social media is regularly ablaze with complaints about motorists using these same lanes. Country roads are also frequently narrow and dangerous for cyclists. To be safe, cyclists should forget riding on Ireland’s roads and stick only to the specific “greenways”, smooth tracks reserved for cycling and walking which are normally detached from the roads altogether.</p> <p>Some of the most scenic and safe places to cycle in Ireland include The Great Western Greenway in County Mayo, The Glenbeigh Greenway in County Kerry, The Galway-Moycullen Greenway in County Galway, and the Waterford Greenway in County Waterford.</p> <p><a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/driving-cycling-boating-and-swimming-in-ireland" target="_blank" title="How to Road Trip Safely in Ireland">Driving hazards are also a risk for road-tripping travelers. Read my tips for safe driving here</a>.</p> <h2 id="dublin">3. Dublin is a friendly city with some crime hotspots</h2> <p>Few capital cities in the world are friendlier than Dublin. The Irish people are famously friendly and many visitors leave Dublin having been charmed by the locals. But there are several spots in the city where travelers must be wary of pickpockets, violence and drug-fueled crime.</p> <p>The two areas where visitors are most likely to encounter trouble are in the Temple Bar nightlife precinct and the shopping district around Dublin’s iconic Spire monument.</p> <p>Temple Bar is popular with visitors more than locals; prices are inflated, and it’s swarmed with drunk people every night.</p> <p>Temple Bar is a common destination for rowdy stag and hen party groups from across Europe. As a result, it has significant issues with alcohol and drug-fueled violence, and also attracts many shady characters dealing drugs or seeking victims to steal from.</p> <p>Similarly, dodgy people hang around near the Spire. Pickpockets frequent this area, and it also has a significant population of drug-affected people.</p> <h2 id="surfing">4. Wear an extra-thick wetsuit for surfing</h2> <p><a href="/explore/eastern-asia/china/surfing-in-hainan-china" target="_blank" title="Surfing paradise in China">Surfing</a> has become very popular in Ireland, which has some of the best waves in Europe thanks to its long west coastline which is exposed to the rough seas of the Atlantic Ocean.</p> <p>But, this water is significantly colder than travelers from Australia or the US may be used to. You’ll need to buy or hire an extra-thick, neoprene wetsuit, because, by the time you realize your regular wetsuit isn’t robust enough, you could already be frozen from the jarring cold.</p> <h2 id="reception">5. Do not rely on your phone</h2> <p>Some of Ireland’s most beautiful areas are isolated, sparsely populated and have limited or sometimes no Wi-Fi signal. So, if you’re relying solely upon your phone for live maps and communication, you could get lost quite easily.</p> <p>Download maps and key information about your destination on your phone as a backup in case you lose signal.</p> <h2 id="hiking">6. When hiking, prepare for bad weather</h2> <p>Irish weather changes very quickly. Blue, sunny skies can give way to dense cloud and heavy rain in minutes. If you hike dressed for good weather, <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/essential-hiking-safety-kit" target="_blank" title="Hiking Packing List: What Should Be in Your Safety Kit?">you’re taking a big risk</a>.</p> <p>Always carry a backpack with warmer and preferably waterproof clothes, just in case Mother Nature is in a bad mood.</p> <p>Wear proper hiking boots (well broken in), as the wet climate in Ireland means conditions underfoot <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/essential-hiking-safety-tips" target="_blank" title="Stay Safe While Hiking Solo: 4 Important Safety Tips">can often be damp and slippery</a>.</p> <h2 id="podcast">Listen to The World Nomads Podcast episode on Ireland</h2> <iframe width="100%" height="190" src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/episode/462654?theme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>Getty Images/Marco Bottigelli 1838754476 Getty Images Dunquin pier (Dún Chaoin), Dingle peninsula, County Kerry, Munster province, Ireland

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/ireland-travel-alertsWhat are the issues affecting travelers to Ireland? Read the latest travel warnings and alerts.2020-10-22T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/ireland-travel-alertshttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Previous travel alerts for Ireland</h2> <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Red Weather Alert – 1 March, 2018</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> <h2>Red Weather Alert – 1 March, 2018</h2> <p>Met Éireann has issued a rare, red-level weather alert for the entire nation of Ireland as a severe storm brings exceptionally heavy snow, high winds, and freezing temperatures. The alert currently runs through Friday at 3pm. People are being strongly encouraged to stay off the roads. Check the <a href="https://www.met.ie/">Met Eireann</a> website and watch local media for the latest updates.</p> <p>Hundreds of flights have been cancelled, so travelers preparing to take flights from Ireland's airports are advised to check with their airline to see if schedules are operating.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Hurricane Ophelia – 13 October, 2017</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> <h2>Hurricane Ophelia – 13 October, 2017</h2> <p>Currently a Category 2 storm, Hurricane Ophelia will pass close to Ireland on Monday as an extratropical storm. Though Ophelia will no longer be technically a hurricane, the storm could potentially bring hurricane-force winds along with heavy rains and high seas to Ireland and the western part of the UK. Met Eireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, has issued a Status Yellow weather alert, advising people in the area to be aware. Check the <a href="https://www.met.ie/nationalwarnings/default.asp" target="_blank">Met Eireann</a><span> </span>website and watch local media for the latest updates.</p> <h3>How to Survive a Hurricane</h3> <p>The absolutely best way to survive a hurricane is to avoid one. Get away from it, but if you make the decision to leave make that decision early. Do not leave it until the last minute because you may find yourself caught without proper shelter.</p> <p>If you decide to stay and "ride it out" it is advisable to get to an authorized shelter. The locations of these will be broadcast, or locals will know where they are. If there is no shelter, prepare to "shelter in place" in an internal room without windows.</p> <p><strong>Once a "storm watch" has been issued, make sure you are prepared in the event that the watch becomes a "warning."</strong></p> <ul> <li>Fill the gas tank of your car.</li> <li>Check batteries in flashlights and radios.</li> <li>Have extra batteries on hand.</li> <li>Secure all doors and windows.</li> <li>Close shutters or board up the windows.</li> <li>Have extra supplies on hand such as non-perishable food, clean drinking water, a half-gallon of water per person/per day (enough for a couple of days), and prescription drugs.</li> </ul> <p><strong>During the storm</strong></p> <ul> <li>Never go out during the storm. The winds can send flying debris into you causing injury and even death.</li> <li>Stay away from windows and doors.</li> <li>Keep on the alert for additional storm warnings. Hurricanes are known to spawn tornadoes so be prepared to take cover if one should strike.</li> <li>While the storm is in progress avoid using electrical appliances.</li> <li>Stay off the telephone.</li> <li>All pets should be secure in carriers. The storm will be a frightening experience for them as well, and they could injure themselves or you if they panic.</li> <li>Do not light candles or lanterns; they could get blown over causing a fire.</li> <li>The eye of the storm passing over could make you think the storm is over when the worst is still yet to come. Only use this calm in an extreme emergency to make critical repairs.</li> <li>Only after an official "all clear" has been issued is it safe to come out.</li> </ul> <p><strong>After the storm</strong></p> <ul> <li>Beware of downed power lines and gas leaks.</li> <li>Stay away from heavily damaged areas.</li> <li>Listen to your radio for instructions.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <p><em>Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.</em></p>Getty Images/Anna Gorin 1955839612 Getty Images

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/driving-cycling-boating-and-swimming-in-irelandFrom winding roads to misleading speed limits, Ronan O’Connell shares his tips on safe driving in Ireland before you hop in your hire car.2019-11-04T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/driving-cycling-boating-and-swimming-in-irelandhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>With plunging sea cliffs to my left and rolling green hills to my right, I’m finding it hard to concentrate on the curving road before me. It’s a <a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/petty-crime-ireland" target="_blank" title="Crime in Ireland: Tips for Travelers">problem I’ve faced often in my five years living on and off in Ireland</a> – how not to get distracted by the startling beauty of this country’s untamed landscape while driving.</p> <p>There is no better way to <a href="/explore/how-to-take-a-road-trip" target="_blank" title="12 Tips to Plan the Ultimate Road Trip">explore Ireland than by car</a>. It’s so dense with history, scenery and picturesque towns that you will miss so much if you choose to travel by bus or train.</p> <p>At first glance, Ireland’s road system and rules will look straightforward and familiar to drivers from Europe, Australia, the US and Canada. But there are many quirks to driving in Ireland which are <a href="/explore/northern-europe/ireland/exploring-my-irish-heritage-through-music" target="_blank" title="Songs From the Past: Exploring My Irish Heritage">not obvious for first-time visitors</a>. Here are my tips for safe driving on your trip.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#roads"> Ireland’s roads can be treacherous </a></li> <li><a href="#safety-lanes"> Safety lanes are not safe at all </a></li> <li><a href="#phones"> Don’t touch your phone </a></li> <li><a href="#maps"> Google Maps can be your enemy </a></li> <li><a href="#overtaking"> Overtaking is dangerous </a></li> <li><a href="#speed-limits"> Irish speed limits are misleading </a></li> <li><a href="#long-trips"> Road trips take longer than you expect </a></li> <li><a href="#podcast">Listen to The World Nomads Podcast episode on Ireland</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="roads">Ireland’s roads can be treacherous</h2> <p>Many rural parts of <a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/how-to-stay-safe-while-traveling-ireland" target="_blank" title="How to stay safe in Ireland">Ireland</a> can be only accessed via extremely narrow, winding and sometimes bumpy roads. A lot of the country roads that lead to small villages, beaches or national parks can be so narrow that two cars cannot pass each other. This requires one driver to reverse until they find somewhere they can pull in and get out of the way to make room for the other.</p> <p>On occasion, you will turn a corner to find the road blocked by a slow-moving tractor or livestock being herded. When you then factor in wet roads from Ireland’s regular rain, this makes driving in the countryside unpredictable and quite dangerous.</p> <h2 id="safety-lanes">Safety lanes are not safe at all</h2> <p>In most countries, the ‘safety’ or ‘breakdown’ lanes on the edge of a road are used by drivers who have a pressing reason to stop their vehicles, which means, these are safe places to pause in an emergency. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Ireland.</p> <p>Here, many drivers use these lanes either to merge into traffic from a side road, or to move to one side to let vehicles overtake them. The frequent use of these side lanes by Irish drivers means you should avoid stopping in them whenever possible, even if your car is having a mechanical issue. Instead, try to find somewhere to park that is away from the road.</p> <h2 id="phones">Don’t touch your phone</h2> <p>Using your phone while driving is a terrible idea, no matter which country you’re in, acting as a major distraction from the road. But Ireland takes this road safety issue particularly seriously. So seriously that you can be fined an incredible 1,000 Euros just for your first offense, which is significantly higher than the fines handed out for using your phone while driving in the UK, Australia, the US and Canada.</p> <h2 id="maps">Google Maps can be your enemy</h2> <p>My Irish mother warned me to ignore Google Maps in Ireland. It wasn't until this app repeatedly sent me down impossibly-narrow back roads in the countryside that I heeded her advice.</p> <p>In Ireland, Google Maps will often instruct you to take “shortcuts” via these back roads to avoid traffic on the main highways. It is a trap. These back roads are so narrow and winding, and the visibility so poor, that you must drive very slowly. They may be short in distance but they make for slow progress.</p> <p>Stick to main roads where possible.</p> <h2 id="overtaking">Overtaking is dangerous</h2> <p>Unlike where I grew up in Australia, Irish drivers routinely take the risk of overtaking multiple cars at once on the country's many single-carriageway roads.</p> <p>This means that when you’re looking to overtake a vehicle you must check both ahead of you and behind you, to make sure nobody to your rear is trying to overtake two, three, four or even five vehicles in one go.</p> <h2 id="speed-limits">Irish speed limits are misleading</h2> <p>On Ireland’s narrow rural roads never assume it’s safe to drive at the sign-posted speed limit. If you do, you’ll soon end up in a ditch. While you might be used to signposts instructing you to slow down when you’re approaching a corner or a winding section of a road, in Ireland you’re often left to make up your own mind.</p> <p>In the Irish countryside, I’ve often driven past a 50mph (80kmh) sign only to very soon encounter a sharp bend that can’t be negotiated safely at any faster than 25mph (40kmh). Irish drivers are familiar with this quirk, but for travelers, it can be disconcerting.</p> <h2 id="long-trips">Road trips take longer than you expect</h2> <p>Ireland looks tiny on the map, particularly to people from larger countries like Australia, the US or Canada. Don’t be fooled. Ireland’s limited network of multiple-lane highways means progress is often much slower than you’d expect.</p> <p>Particularly when you’re driving along or near the country’s gorgeous coast, where many of its most scenic locations are nestled, it’s not unusual for a 60mi (96km) trip to take close to two hours, even without any stops.</p> <p>So, if you’re planning to drive all of “small” <a href="/explore/northern-europe/ireland/ireland-free-hugs-and-rolling-green-hills" target="_blank" title="Explore Ireland">Ireland</a> in just a few days, think again. Don’t try to cover too much ground in any one day or holiday. Take it slow and savor the scenery.</p> <h2 id="podcast">Listen to The World Nomads Podcast episode on Ireland</h2> <iframe width="100%" height="190" src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/episode/462654?theme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>Getty Images/Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo 11071520168 Getty Images Rolling landscape and ruined castle at Glenariff, County Antrim of Northern Ireland

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/petty-crime-irelandDo travelers need to worry about crime in Ireland? Ronan O’Connell shares his advice for travelers, so you can avoid crime, understand the political tension and stay safe.2019-11-04T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/petty-crime-irelandhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>It happened so quickly that I had no time to react. As I walked through downtown Dublin, near its famous Spire of Dublin monument, from the corner of my eye I saw a man making a beeline for me. When this stranger bumped into me, I felt a strong tug at my pants pocket. I swung around and he had disappeared into the crowd. Only the zips on my pockets had <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/9-tips-for-keeping-your-luggage-safe" target="_blank" title="How to Avoid Petty Theft While Traveling">stopped this thief from stealing my wallet</a>.</p> <p>Ireland is a famously safe, friendly country, but no country is without crime, as this encounter proved. Here are the crime-related issues to consider on your trip to Ireland.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#politics"> Steering clear of political trouble </a></li> <li><a href="#theft"> How to avoid theft </a></li> <li><a href="#nightlife"> Nightlife safety in Ireland </a></li> <li><a href="#crime"> Credit card crime in Ireland </a></li> <li><a href="#podcast">Listen to The World Nomads Podcast episode on Ireland</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="politics">Steering clear of political trouble</h2> <p>The relationship between the <a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/how-to-stay-safe-while-traveling-ireland" target="_blank" title="6 tips to stay safe in Ireland">Republic of Ireland</a> and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, has been a controversial issue for almost 100 years since Ireland was divided into two in 1921. Northern Ireland has suffered many terrorist incidents in the past 50 years linked to ongoing unrest between Irish Republicans and British Loyalists.</p> <p>Most recently, in April 2019, a woman journalist was shot dead during violent political demonstrations in the city of Derry, although such violence has become much rarer since 1998 when the Northern Ireland Peace Process began.</p> <p>The mess that is “Brexit” – the UK’s plan to withdraw from the European Union – has prompted greater agitation and created uncertainty about whether a strict land border will be enforced between Ireland’s south and north. If you plan to visit both parts of Ireland during your holiday, we recommend you check the latest news on this border situation, and whether you will need separate Irish and UK tourist Visas. At the time of writing, this was still undecided.</p> <p>Fortunately, travelers to Ireland very rarely get caught up in the country’s political problems and can easily stay safe by using common sense. Throughout Northern Ireland, and in border towns in the Republic, tourists should avoid any public discussions about politics or religion. Do not attend political rallies, and do not wear clothes linked to Catholics or Protestants, like Celtics or Rangers Scottish football jerseys.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the colorful political murals painted on buildings in many parts of Northern Ireland are a great way to <span><a href="https://discovernorthernireland.com/Street-Art-Walking-Tour-Belfast-P66278/" target="_blank" title="Discover Northern Ireland">learn about the cultural history through art</a></span>. Don’t forget that they represent serious, ongoing issues for locals. So, while you look at these murals, be as unobtrusive and respectful as possible.</p> <h2 id="theft">How to avoid theft in Ireland</h2> <p>Rates of theft in Ireland are low by global standards. Travelers, however, at are greater risk of being victims of these crimes due to frequenting major Irish tourist attractions, which are magnets for petty criminals. The most dangerous spots for theft and robbery are the downtown areas of popular tourist cities Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast, as well as outdoor locations such as the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry, <a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/ireland/driving-cycling-boating-and-swimming-in-ireland" target="_blank" title="Transport Safety in Ireland">a scenic drive around the southwest of Ireland</a>.</p> <p>At rural locations like these, thieves may also target parked cars. Many visitors hire cars to drive around Ireland, and when they visit lookouts or go hiking, they leave suitcases and valuables inside cars. Thieves can quickly and easily break into their vehicles to fleece them.</p> <p>In cities, the biggest threat comes from pick pockets. Europe is home to countless gangs of experienced pick pockets who hop around the EU from city to city targeting tourists. If you walk around carrying valuables in a pocket that isn’t zipped shut, you’re going to be an easy target.</p> <p>The bottom line – if you have zips on your pockets and don’t leave valuables in sight in your parked car, you can massively reduce your chances of theft and robbery.</p> <h2 id="nightlife">How to stay safe on a night out</h2> <p>Ireland is world-renowned for its nightlife. The main entertainment precincts of Dublin, Cork and Galway attract international visitors who are keen for a rowdy night of drinking Guinness beer and Irish whiskey. This has created attractive destinations for criminals seeking to rob and steal from drunk travelers.</p> <p>The most obvious way to protect yourself against this is by not getting so inebriated that you make yourself a soft target. But it also helps to be aware of common techniques used by criminals in these areas:</p> <ul> <li>Many criminals will approach tourists and pretend to be a friendly local, keen to show you an amazing, little-known Irish pub. Don’t follow them</li> <li>Strangers may also try to distract you by hugging you or asking you to join them in singing an Irish song. Politely decline – they may be distracting you or setting you up for a theft or robbery.</li> </ul> <p>This doesn’t mean you need to be paranoid and unfriendly to locals while in Ireland’s nightlife areas. Just be cautious. That includes keeping an eye on your beer or glass of wine to protect against drink spiking. Although this crime carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail in Ireland, it remains a significant problem, particularly in places like Dublin’s Temple Bar district and Galway’s Latin Quarter. </p> <h2 id="crime">Credit card crime in Ireland</h2> <p>There is at least US $40 million worth of <span><a href="https://www.kisbridgingloans.co.uk/guide-to-fraud-prevention/the-worst-holiday-destinations-for-card-fraud/">card-related fraud</a></span> in Ireland each year. More than half of this is what Irish police call “Card Not Present” fraud. That’s where a criminal uses stolen credit card details to make purchases over the internet or phone.</p> <p>The most common way criminals gain these details is through card skimming, where a small device is attached to an ATM or card reader that records the details of every card that is scanned.</p> <p>Irish police in recent years have arrested dozens of criminals linked to card skimming, but have warned it remains prevalent. These criminals target ATMs which are vulnerable, like those in the walls of pubs or convenience stores.</p> <p>The best way to protect against skimming is to use ATMs that are inside banks, making them far harder for criminals to access and tamper with.</p> <h2 id="podcast">Listen to The World Nomads Podcast episode on Ireland</h2> <iframe width="100%" height="190" src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/episode/462654?theme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>Getty Images/Walter Bibikow 1639636810 Getty Images Temple Bar at night