Personal Safety Traveling to Cork, Galway and Dublin

mdo

Wife and I will travel to Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Dublin late November and December by train and bus. We are staying in 4 star hotels in each city. I suggested that she not wear her gold Rolex while traveling. Here in the US crime is so bad in the larger cities that criminals target those wearing expensive jewelry and watches. Is it safe for her to wear (diamonds and gold Rolex) during normal hours and early evening in these cities or should she leave them at home?

Buddy Bubs

You never know. There's homeless and drug addicts in them all plus just some petty thieves. If you're just walking around the cities without knowing where you are going don't have expensive jewellery and watches on display. If you are going out for a nice meal and want to dress up get a taxi and dress up however you like

Caranica

Ireland as a rule is safe. But you need to use common sense. Wear jewelry but don't flaunt it. Be careful about the areas you walk in. Don't "look like a tourist". You should be fine. Plenty of people walking around with €5,000 handbags every day.

Be careful with your bags on trains and buses, keep them near you where possible.

lawred2

With all those diamonds and rolexes, why are you traveling by train with all those potential criminals?

Nobody ever wears nice things in Ireland. Leave them at home in your safe.

endofrainbow

Is this a serious question ?

mdo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119737665#Comment_119737665

I was told that train travel between the larger cites is safe. I had a rental car on my previous trips and found that I spent most of my time focusing on staying in the correct lane. As far as “all those diamonds and Rolexes” my wife only has one 1.75 carat ring and one $2500 purse which is quite common in the larger cities here. Actually $5,000 handbags are common. I understand leaving a $25,000 watch at home in the safe makes sense. We were hoping to get to see more of Ireland by using the train or bus from Dublin to Cork and bus from Cork to Galway and local taxi, private chauffeur for day trips.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119738387#Comment_119738387

Do you really think I just made this up to waste your and my time?

Dial Hard

It's Ireland, not South Africa. Nobody will even notice your wife's jewellery.

mdo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740391#Comment_119740391

Thank you.

No one would even notice here unless we were in the bad part of town. There are many cities here in the US that are probably worse than South Africa.

We were in Ireland for a week in 2008 and 2009 and never had any issues in Galway and Donegal. We use good judgment where we go and where we stay.

tabby aspreme

Complete the look with Canada Goose or Moncler jacket's, and nobody will bother you

mdo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740391#Comment_119740391

Is bus travel from Dublin to Cork relatively safe or should I get a rental car?

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740398#Comment_119740398

Just have the usual wits about you that you would anywhere. Muggings aren't really a thing in Ireland, and if they are they're very rare. It's a really safe place and I wouldn't waste your time worrying about safety, you'd have to be very unfortunate for anything to happen. Hope you enjoy your trip!

stargazer 68

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740469#Comment_119740469

OP it's a public bus from a major city down the motorway to another major city. Its not a one horse stagecoach through the wild west! It's absolutely fine!!

mdo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740494#Comment_119740494

Great. While this may seem like an unnecessary question, here in the USA, carjackings, muggings and murder has taken a drastic increase. Happy to here that Ireland isn’t on the same path.

cnoc

Thank God he didn't mention Limerick......

tabby aspreme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740524#Comment_119740524

Or Longford, which has the highest number of people in prison/ head of population

looksee

The buses are perfectly safe but not very comfortable - the ordinary service buses and Expressway 'coaches' I mean. Tourist coaches are fine. I would go by train though.

mdo

Possible day or overnight trip to Belfast by train from Dublin. Back in 2008 we stayed overnight in “stab city” without any issues.

Still stihl waters 3

You'll be fine, there's very little crime on trains in Ireland and most if it centred around Dublin, however an opportunistic scum bag could take a chance but that could happen walking down a street anywhere in the world

fallen01angel

Hi OP, travelling city to city is absolutely fine, just use a bit of common sense with regards to the jewellery, for peace of mind leave the v expensive pieces at home. I don't know if you visited Cork on your last visit,but unfortunately it was gotten a hell of a lot rougher since the pandemic, so if you're staying in the city use your head and keep your wits about you,as others have said avoid flashing cash etc etc. Hope ye enjoy your holiday!!!!!

lawred2

Can't believe people are taking this seriously

mdo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740524#Comment_119740524

Been there, done that...

mdo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740808#Comment_119740808

Staying at the Imperial Hotel for 3 days.... looks safe enough to me....

Shauna677

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119740361#Comment_119740361

In fairness it's not the typical tourist question.

HildaOgdenx

As others have said, you will be absolutely fine.

For peace of mind, if you have some really expensive stuff, leave it at home, from the point of view of mislaying or damaging it while travelling. Not from the point of view of someone stealing it.

Exercise sensible behaviour in relation to your safety as I am sure you would anywhere else, and enjoy your trip.

mdo

We visited Cobh, Cork, Galway, Athlone and spending our last day here in Dublin. Traveled by train, bus and taxi having a wonderful time making new friends while enjoying Guinness, Smithwicks, Jamison and Redbreast. Thanks for the tips, no negative events.

cml387

Thanks for the update. I'm delighted you had a good time. Now go back home and spread the word!