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How safe for an almost 18 year old boy to wander around Dublin....

Will be leaving for Ireland in a few days. My almost 18 year old nephew just told me a girl he knows from his highschool will be there at the same time and they would like meet up and go out on their own one evening in Dublin. Is there anything I should worry about letting him do this? Also, should I set a curfew time to be back at the hotel? Thanks

Posted by
9110 posts

Let him go. Dublin has to be one of the safest places in the world as far as I can tell.

Curfew would seem to depend on the person. Mine had none and never wound up in the pokey.

Posted by
1035 posts

There is a direct correlation between how late it is and likelihood of finding a group of 18-25 year olds looking for trouble. True anywhere, but having been on the receiving end more than once, I think Dublin is heightened in this regard.

Reminds me of certain parts of Boston in this regard.

If he stays on main, well lit streets in City Centre (I don't like O'Connell north of the Liffey when it is late) he'll be fine.

Posted by
780 posts

But keep in mind that 18 is the legal drinking age...

Posted by
635 posts

The "action" in Dublin is in the Temple Bar area. That's where the pubs are and that's where the action is. If he goes out, that's where they'll probably go. They can, of course, drink soft drinks and water but there will certainly be beer, ale and other refreshments available.

I second the opinion about north of the river. It didn't seem as dangerous as many places I've been to in the USA. It did seem a bit rougher that the Temple Bar area. The beer was also a bit cheaper.

Of course, there's the old joke about what do you call someone from north of the river at the courthouse? Answer: the defendant.

Posted by
333 posts

Make sure you have a very loud and bright trip planned for early in the morning the next day :)

Posted by
693 posts

I'd make sure that he has the name, address and phone number of your hotel securely in his pocket and you have the girl's name and info. He's your nephew, you're responsible for him, I'd clear this with his parents before even leaving home. You probably have to have some kind of permission paper for him anyway, seeing that he's underage. If you can't sleep until he gets in, set a reasonable curfew, like maybe midnight, give or take an hour.

Posted by
12040 posts

As far as trouble other people may cause him, here is one of my lasting impressions on the safety of Dublin... I was wandering around the Ballsbridge section of town after dark (this was in late autumn, so dusk occurs rather early). There was a group of pre-teen girls walking home from field hockey practice unescorted by any adult. Even in a supposedly "safe" neighborhood of a US city, you would never see that.

But there is plenty of trouble he could cause himself, because as others have noted, he will be allowed to legally drink. If he's like most 18 year old Americans, he probably doesn't know his limits yet. I guess it comes down to how much you think you can trust him.

Posted by
333 posts

'If he's like most 18 year old Americans, he probably doesn't know his limits yet.'

I'm 40 and still run into that problem occasionally.

Posted by
712 posts

Thank you for all your advice. Very much appreciated and helpful.

Posted by
1358 posts

And to follow up on Anna's post, something anyone should know in any city where they will be using public transportation, is which bus to take back to the hotel. If you're in walking distance, just make sure he knows how to get back there.

Posted by
712 posts

Just got back yesterday. Our 18 year old nephew did fine on the trip. Thanks for all the advice. in the evening he went out by himself in 4 towns that the bed and breakfast people assured us were safe. It was great, because it stays light so late. Other teenagers told him Wed. and Sat. are the days to "go out" in Ireland. During the day my husband kept him very busy. They even climbed Croaugh Patrick on an almost clear day the Friday before the pilgrimage day "Reek Sunday".

Posted by
11507 posts

Marie, thank you for coming back and filling us in, I wish more people who ask things on Helpline( and other forums) would do that,, its so nice to see the follow up.

Posted by
333 posts

Great to see everything worked out and it sounds like you had a great time. Except for a few places in the big cities Ireland is a really safe place, much safer than anywhere I have lived in the US.

The only thing I ever worry about is driving or walking at night as the roads in the country are not the best. Unfortunately, 6 lads were killed outside of Buncrana in a head-on collision at night earlier this month.