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Dublin Scary & Violent?

Whhhhaaat? Is this person serious? Or just trying to keep tourists away? Look what I found at browseireland.com --not very comforting. Please -someone who's been there recently - refute this! -thx -DC "Dublin is bad real bad.  I have been attacked twice, once on my own and once with two other friends.  Not for money they just wanted to beat people up.  Don't think its confined to the streets after 10pm.  I have seen a guy glassedin the face in a bar and this was in Temple Bar where all the tourists go. Not to long ago a friend of mine was standing at a bus stop at 8am.  A guy came up and asked him for a cigeratte.  My friend said he did not smoke.  The other guy beat the hell out of him.  My friend no longer gets the bus, any weekend he is out he gets a cab home.  It costs him a fortune. My advice to anyone is stay away from side streets that are not well lit up and I mean those around O'Connell street and even Grafton street if your new to the city.   Be careful if your out socializing don't get loaded and withdraw money from an atm.  There are always guys begging and they work in two's one out of sight and one in front of you begging.  They are always on the lookout for the vulnerable. Lastly go out in numbers there is safety in them ! I reported all the things that happened to me to the police.  I heard nothing back.  There are cameras all over Dublin but strangely never one when your getting whacked !  The Garda are rubbish I really believe they are afraid to take on the trouble on the streets. They could send over 200 hundred Gardai to police the Reclaim the streets rally which was just a march.  And look what they did and how they behaved ? If you had just ten of those gung ho gardai who were willing to lay into the thugs as they batted the people on the march I think Dublin would be a better city.  As usual they got tough with ordinary people but they can't get tough with the yobs.   Sorry to be pesimistic but all on this forum both foreign and Irish can see what I mean.  Dublin won't change.  Be careful. "

Ok I think they are allowd their opinion but this is my view: I live in the city centre of Dublin and have done so for approximately 8 years. Dublin is a capitral city like London, NY etc and ALL of these places have problems with crime. Show mw one city that does not. As a woman I feel safer here than I did in NY. I think many a target is a young guy in his early 20's. Now as for Temple bar and being glassed in the face...ALL pubs and clubs in Temple bar have huge bouncers at the doors and will not hesitate to throw someone out if they are causing hassle. I saw more fights in Bars in NYC than I ever did here. And it would be a big deal if this did happen. I have not heard of this particular event before and find it hard to believe it was not in the papers. I also have never heard of anyone getting beaten up for no reason at all in broad daylight. 8am is rush hour and when I get the bus as well. This guy would not be alone at the bus stop and people would not stand by and watch they would help. I know I would. As for side streets off O'connell street the mail side streets are shopping astreets with dept stores so they are safe. The area is being cleaned up and always full of people. I would not hang out there at night as I don't feel safe there late at night (after 10pm) but there is nothing up there at night to do anyway on O'cpnnell Street. Abbey street is off O'connell and has lots of new bars and ppubs and is a safe place to go. ALL streets off Grafton are safe and it is ridiculous t say it is not by this person. AS for being Drunk getting money out of the ATM...well lets face it you are stupid if you don't have your wits about you at any ATM. Overall yes there are problems but no where near what he is saying. If you have a fancy mobile like a picture phone...yes be careful (I have one and I am cautious when using it in public) but I still feel far safer in Dublin than I ever did in NY. AS a tourist people are very friendly and helpful here with directions etc and you will not be at a loss if you need help. I find that comforting when I am out by myself doing my shopping etc in the city. No one would turn their back on someone being hurt. Be street wise at bnnight like any other city and have fun I would not live in the city if this was true!

Consuls know, and give good advice. You can read it from Australia on http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice from Britain on http://193.114.50.10/travel and on http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp from Canada on http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp, under "Research your trip" from France on http://www.dfae.diplomatie.fr/voyageurs/etrangers/avis/conseils/alphabet.asp from the USA on http://travel.state.gov, under "travel warnings" Some experienced American travellers find the American site over-cautious. It is therefor useful to check all five sites. [email protected]

Thanks Siobhan, very much. I just wanted to hear a level-headed bit of advice - that person sounded as if he may often be in situations where trouble arises. How about the DART at night? I want to go to Abbey Tavern in Howth and would perchance be taking it back in to St Stephens Green area at 11 or so - or should I just cab it? And where is your favorite Guinness poured? I want to try the Brazen Head thanks again DC

DC, The abbey tavern is quite far out and a bit of a secluded station that late at night. I would maybe go in the day and have a walk along the pier (it's lovely) and go for a pint or bite to eat at the abbey tavern or there is a great fish and chip place facing the yacht club. At night there are many places as good in Dublin for Traditional music and drinks. The Brazen head is a good place and has a room with music in it most nights in the summer. Also my favorite is the Cobblestone in SMithfield (Short Taxi from Stephens Green approx 7 euros) its a bit off the path and has people playing music in the main pub and special events upstairs with well known Irish Musicians. I stay downstairs. Its full of locals and a few visitors. It's my local pub when we don't want to deal with the crowds in town. Also O'Donoghue's on Merrion Street always has music and is fun in the summer as there is a really crummy courtyard attached but its fun. there are several pubs in this area Dohney and nesbitts, Ryans, and Foleys. Enjoy

Good heavens I've been to Dublin many MANY times, even lived there for a spell. It's no more or less dangerous then any city on earth.. use common sense.. I live in Hollywood and Work in Los Angeles.. believe me, Dublin is not that dangerous.

I'm planning a trip to Ireland in September and will be in Dublin for a few days. I haven't decided whether or not to spend an extra day in my tours of the south west (kinsale and dingle penn), or spend a full three days in Dublin. Is two days enough to get the feel (I'm sure I'll be back)? Also, do you think the Stephens Green area would be a safe place for a couple to stay who like to walk and enjoy a cozy pub? thanks

All the places I mentioned above are a 5 mins walks from St. Stephens green. It is a great area to stay in and very convenient. As for 2 or 3 days it really depends upon yourselves and what yopu like to do. I like cities and exploring them but if this is your first trip spendsmore time in the country. enjoy!"

Thank you SiobhanP, it is our first trip so we'll probably be better off spending an extra night in the country and giving Dublin extra days on the next trip as you suggest. Your insight into Stephen's Green area is appreciated because I would just have no idea without all the help wise posters provide. thanks again

My entire family spent 2 weeks in Ireland, and 4 days in Dublin. We loved Abbey Tavern. I walked alone at midnight all over the town and the pier. I couldn't help myself, it was such a beautiful village, and my brothers, sisters, and sons(party of 13) were inside listening to the entertainment. I took my kids the next day, by train, to show them how beautiful the town was. My boys are 17 and 20. In Dublin, after a city tour, we rode the bus and took taxi's during the next few days. My boys felt,that Ireland, was by far the coolest country they have ever been in. I have taken them all over the world. When we returned, the stories started to surface. Apparently, my sons,along with my 19 year old niece decided to go exploring after my husband and I went to bed. My sons had their own room and my niece was sleeping with her parents. They went to get something to eat at a pub. My 17 year old, on the way home said, hey ,we are going the wrong way, we need to go this way. My older son and niece said, you go your way and we will meet you there. This would be around 11 p.m. So my 17 year old starts to walk alone, for miles, which is probably blocks, and a car full of girls stop him and ask him ,whats up! He said he had to get to our hotel and didn't know the address, but here is the name. He got in the car with the girls, who thought he was so cute and drove him to the hotel. How many times have you told your kids not to talk to strangers, and not to get in the car with them? How many times would you tell your oldest son to watch out for your brother. Both my kids, have only felt kindness and warmth from the Irish people. In Dublin, they went out during the day alone to grab a bite to eat and said they would talk to other Irish teenagers about each others lives. I went at night and during the day in all the back alleys trying to find a Harley T-Shirt for my brother-in-law. (He is from Los Gatos, and is a stock broker, but has a Harley) I am 47 years old, blonde and look like I am from California. I never felt unsafe nor has my family of 13 traveling throughout Ireland. The people are awesome, the salmon is fabulous, and the scenery will never be forgotten! Enjoy! Cathy

My most recent visit to Dublin was last September (2002). I had to get up and catch an early flight so I came down from Wynn's Hotel on Middle Abbey Street to the AirLink bus stop on O'Connell at about 5:15 AM. I was shocked by the number of 'Street People' I saw sleeping on benches and on the ground right there on O'Connell Street. I blame it on the EU's 'Open Borders' and on the Irish Government's policies encouraging people from 'third world' countries to seek asylum there. During my stay, I had been approached by panhandlers, and even prostitutes on Upper Abbey Street - not the Temple Bar area which I had been advised to avoid at night. I don't have any desire to go back to Dublin!