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Safety for US daughters (18&21) in Dublin

Safety for US daughters (18&21) in Dublin

Old Apr 24th, 2016, 05:51 AM
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Safety for US daughters (18&21) in Dublin

Hello. My husband and I will be traveling to Dublin in December-January with our two daughters. Obviously they want to head off in their own at times and I have a question about the safety of Dublin for them. Here in the US they carry mace for self protection (needed on college campuses here). I understand that is illegal in Ireland. As long as they aren't idiots...is Dublin a reasonably safe city? Any suggestions on what is legal for self protection? Thanks in advance!
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 06:35 AM
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I am not afraid to be out at night in Dublin. You could have them sign up with a pub crawl group so they will be with other people.

http://www.backpackerpubcrawl.com/dublin/

I have seen them out and about in the evening and they look like a nice group.
Pubs and Bars young people seem to enjoy

Porterhouse - (Nassau St. location) Frat night every Wednesday, but it’s up to American visitors to bring additional frat beyond the DJ playing part of “American Pie”. It's also the largest independent brewery in Ireland, if you're a fan of local brews. (Good Music)

The Bleeding Horse - (Upper Camden St. and Charlotte) A very old pub at the end of Camden St. Not exceptional for any specific reason, but it’s ancient and beautiful, and became the regular hangout for my friends when we were there.

The Bank on College Green -(Dame St.) Drinks are pricey, but the beautiful ceiling is worth seeing. 20 College Green

The Stag’s Head- (1 Dame Court) A classic old authentic pub.
http://www.strollingthroughulysses.com/upcoming-events/

The Temple Bar- Although this falls under the category of Places Not Worth Visiting, it does so with fond memories. The Temple Bar is a district full of pubs that cater to tourists; if you're going to visit it, try the eponymous pub The Temple Bar and be prepared for crowds.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 06:43 AM
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Here in the US

Now where would that be? Although there are some very dangerous places in the US, I don't think that young women everywhere in the country feel the need to be armed with mace or anything else.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 06:44 AM
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Have they had to use the mace?
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 06:48 AM
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They will be safer by far than at any U S campus frat party or late at night around campuses. No worry at all IMO.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 07:00 AM
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In my opinion, the best thing they can do for self protection in Dublin or anywhere during an evening out is to stay relatively sober, stick together and never leave a drink unattended.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 07:02 AM
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Dublin is generally safe but, as with any city, there are some places that are not good for young people to venture unless they are streetwise. Your hotel should be able to advise.

There are many pubs better than the Temple Bar (which was created as a tourist trap).
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 07:10 AM
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The older girl is really an adult and should be treated as one. The younger, well, I've seen plenty of mature 18-year-olds and even more immature ones. If you trust her to go out alone at home you should trust her in Ireland, too.

For ordinary daytime activities I'd be more worried about pickpockets than violent assaults.

For evening activites, it's a bit different, especially if alcohol is involved. It looks like the legal drinking age in Ireland is 18, so both girls will be able to buy and drink alcohol.

Make sure both girls have a way to contact you (even if their cellphones get stolen) if something happens.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 07:27 AM
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Padraig, they are tourist, so tourist bars are where they will go. I on the other hand am an old women that likes the Cobblestone but also the Porterhouse and other bars with good music.


https://www.facebook.com/WatsonACE/ I always check their website to see where these guys are playing.

Mace or pepper spray should not be needed. I would just not get falling down drunk and stay together. The buddy system is the best.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 07:28 AM
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>>The older girl is really an adult and should be treated as one. younger one is also an adult.

>>Any suggestions on what is legal for self protection?
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 07:31 AM
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I carry a flamethrower and a double handed sword.
Never been bothered.

In what hellhole * does one have to live to give a mace to their daughters ?

* copyright Donald trump.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 07:51 AM
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I agree with others here. they are both legally adults, and provided they don't get blotto, and watch their drinks they will be fine, and enjoy the experience.

Unless they carry their can of mace around in their hand all the time it is probably pretty useless. By the time they have dug it out of their bag or pocket it could easily be too late.
Better to teach them to be aware of their surroundings and maybe go to a short course in simple self defence (which can include not resisting) if you live somewhere that is so awful that they need to protect themselves on an evening out.

End of unasked for bit of advice. Teenagers a lot younger than your daughters go out most nights throughout Europe and survive just fine, there is really little reason to thin it will be any different for your daughters.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 08:12 AM
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Thank you for your replies. And thank you for the suggestions as to establishments! The pub crawl is a fantastic idea. We live in the Detroit suburbs...:and yes it's dangerous depending on where you travel. My older daughter was accosted on her college campus (in rural Ohio of all places) by a drunk frat boy. She's little and scrappy and a swift kick in the testicles let her get away....but she did start carrying mace at that point. She has been instructed in its use and has practiced. It would not serve anyone well who just manage to squirt themselves in the eye! She now lives and works in NYC and feels safer there than on campus or Detroit. Also....thank you for the suggestion regarding checking with our hotel regarding areas to avoid! My girls are independent and mature, but it is very helpful to be informed!
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 08:16 AM
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There is also a literary pub crawl that you might enjoy as well.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 08:19 AM
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The hellhole here is actually college campuses. The reputation they have is very true and legitimate, unfortunately. It's my personal (if unpopular) opinion that part of the reason is that alcohol is the big "naughty" here...so when kids get off to college and out from under their parents thumbs...they go nuts. But that's the kind of talk that would get me in trouble around here!��
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 08:48 AM
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In Belgium kids drink at home ;-)

Joking about that one. We have alcohol problems but not at school.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 09:06 AM
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Sensible question from a worried parent
1) don't try and get mace onto an airline, it is illegal
2) yes it is illegal in Ireland too, but you can buy small high pitch screaming pods that drop on your key ring and terrify the bejesus out of people if set off, http://www.crimepreventionproducts.c...ersonal-alarms
( i havn't tested this one but it is an example. note that gas powered ones probably should not be inside the plane)
3) do not leave your drink alone
4) sisters need to be the wingman

Don't buy mace or indeed start to up the anti by the use of foam, red ink jets etc etc that you can buy, if a guy wants your handbag and they are pros that is just the cost of doing business, but the noise may help bring attention. In the handbag is too late and may be the target, so on a bracelet or up a sleeve.

Would I bother, no, I'd teach the girls to never take stuff on a night out that they mind losing. Given that it is Dublin and so about as safe as Zurich (that is very safe) their biggest problem will be stag parties and the German door to door salesman (Wandering Hans) and that is what sharpened boots are for.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 09:22 AM
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Dublin is way safer than any major city in the US - even NYC.

And our daughters grew up here and spend a lot of time as teens and young women and would never have considered carrying mace (which I believe is illegal here).

Presumably your daughters are living by themselves at college and perfectly capable of handing themselves being out on the town in the evening.

Agree the keys are:

Don't get drunk
Never leave any drink unattended
Just use common sense

The most important is #1. (Our D's used to switch to seltzer or water with line or olive after 2 drinks in public places.)
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 09:33 AM
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There's this guy named Blazes Boylan. A real sleaze. Tell your daughters to avoid him.
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Old Apr 24th, 2016, 10:04 AM
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My daughter and her friends are all 19.. they are going on a backpacking trip to Europe in less then one week for 8 weeks!!

My daughter and her friend will be arriving the same day in Dublin as we are ( we are leaving on a separate trip a few weeks from now) .. and we are planning on celebrating her 20 th birthday in Dublin together..

I consider Dublin very safe.. and by the time they get to Dublin they will have already been all over Europe ( and they do not have a set itinerary for most of trip!!! So we wont even be sure exactly where they are ) ...

Your two young adults travelling with you will be fine going out alone in Dublin.

Weapon they need it simple common sense.. that's it.

We live in a small city on an island off the west coast of Canada.. not a big busy city .. and I have a lot of confidence that my daughter and her friends will manage ok.. of course I have given them all the warnings.. watch your purse.. do not get pass out drunk, stick together..
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