Dublin Travel Answers

Dublin isn't THAT big a city. I've walked extensively there, and never felt threatened.

As with all cities, walking in parks and badly-lit areas after dark is not a teribly good idea. But I suspect any areas in which you might feel uncomfortable in daylight (which does not mean they are unsafe btw) are well away from the city centre, where you will presumably be exploring. And if you feel uncomfortable, just turn round and walk another way.... I'm happy to walk around central Dublin as I am in London, Rome, Budapest, Krakow, Lisbon etc etc etc....

City parks in Dublin are locked at sundown so you won't be walking in them anyway after dark! Larger parks like the Phoenix Park and St Annes park are acessible but not recommended after dark. During the day they are fine if you take all the usual precautions, the Phoenix Park is extensive and contains several attractions that are worth visiting such as the Zoo, Farmleigh House, The Ordance Survey Office, the Visitors Centre at the site of the old Vice-Regal Lodge. You might also catch a glimpse of the herd of wild dear that wander around - a good place to see them is the area around the Papal Cross. The Phoenix Park is also the location of the President of Ireland's house (Aras an Uachtarain)and the American Ambassador's residence although these are private. St Anne's Park in Raheny is also a good place to walk around and has a visitor centre and cafe at the Red Stables. In the city centre parks such as St Stephen's Green, Merrion sq park (aka Archbishop Ryan Park) and Blessington Street Basin are all worth having a walk around. As for walking around the city in general I agree with the answers above but on a personal note I've never been at ease walking around Temple bar on weekend nights - too noisy, crowded and full of revellers, but that's purely subjective!!! Enjoy your visit. AM

Despite what you may have heard or thought, Dublin is very dangerous, especially around the city centre, I live in the city centre and have been mugged countless times. There is a major heroin problem here, and ironically you are in more danger in the day than in the night. My advice is to ignore EVERYONE who approaches you looking for change, food, etc. Be especially vigilant around the O'Connell bridge area. The odd thing about dublin is, unlike most cities, you can be on a very reputable street, but take a wrong turn and find yourself on a very bad street. If you go north past oconnell street alone, try not to listen to your ipod or be on the phone; you will more than likely be parted from it.However, if the person confronting you is obviously a junkie, offer some resistance and they will usually back down. This is all during the day; during the night try as best you can not to walk down the alleys in temple bar, and try avoid getting 'nitelink' buses to bad areas. 'Bad ' Areas include finglas, tallaght, clondalkin, lucan, ballyfermot, ballymun, crumlin, drimnagh. As a previous poster said, all parks and public green areas close early (due, not only in part, to affore mentioned drug problem),but since we have so many pubs, with so many different themes, and so many fantastic eateries, your bound to have fun during the evening. This aside, dublin is a nice city with a lot to experience, but certain tourists are naeive, thinking we conform to the irish stereotype; we are just like any other capital city, you gotta be careful, but you'll have a great time. As a previous poster said, all parks and public green areas close early (due, not only in part, to affore mentioned drug problem),but since we have so many pubs, with so many different themes, and so many fantastic eateries, your bound to have fun during the evening. I hope you have a great time, I dont mean to put you off, but as with all major cities, be weary!

"...mugged countless times." Really?? You have been mugged so many times, you can't remember? I am sorry to hear that. I would think after a handful of muggings you would have moved. Best wishes the next time you go out.