Hello! I’m planning a trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland with my mother and am struggling to find a place to leave our suitcases during a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Whiterocks Beach. We’re nervous about our car being broken into, especially at the beach. Any tips on where to keep our bags? Is that something we really need to worry about in that part of the country? Any advice is appreciated!
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
463 posts
I wouldn't give it any thought beyond locking the doors. I'm not familiar with Whiterocks Beach, but it appears to be a busy place on nice days, as are the other two.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you! I’m coming from the Seattle area and won’t leave anything in my car because car theft is so common out here, so it’s hard to know what to expect going to another country!
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1529 posts
We had a car with a trunk, which lessened the risk, but keep documents on your person, just in case.
Posted by
WestCentral MN
364 posts
We have visited those locations. We had a room at the Causeway Hotel, so we did not have to leave our luggage in the vehicle. That being said, during the day, there will be visitors all around those areas. I would not have been worried to leave our luggage in a locked vehicle during the day. If you can, put it in the trunk so nothing is visible. I wouldn't have been comfortable with leaving it overnight in a vehicle.
Posted by
1 posts
In Barcelona, we needed to store our luggage for about a half day. We came across the Bounce Luggage Storage app. Using the app, we found a nearby retail store that securely stored our luggage in its office area. A photo of the stored luggage was shared with us. The rate was reasonable and we would use the app again. Note I am not affiliated with Bounce in any way.
Posted by
1531 posts
I agree with Kathleen re trunk use and documents on yr body. Other time honored advice is don't make the interior of your car scream American Tourist by having a lot of things scattered around like snacks and maps. Don't open the trunk when you arrive so no one else sees what you have, and perhaps even take stuff out of your bag and disperse thru trunk so if someone opens the trunk they realize it's just a bunch of clothes and books and toiletries, so why bother.
Of course, those parking lots are nothing BUT tourist cars, but the goal is to make your car the least interesting. I have had zero problems in Ireland. The one time I had a window smashed and luggage stolen I was at an ice cream parlor in Kansas City MO. ( with my overnight bag and briefcase visible on the back seat of my car) Go figure. Also, the thief also took the time to grab my prescription sunglasses in their case out of the cup holder.