Tourist Scams in Ireland?

As with the rest of the world, there could be pickpockets anywhere there are crowds. But I have been to Ireland four times (twice alone) and have never felt even remotely at risk.

Hi Joseph:

I was in Dublin in March of this year, and I might have been pickpocketed. I was riding the LUAS light rail, and somewhere between the place where I got on (central Dublin) and where I got off (National Museum of Ireland) my wallet with 20 euros (most of my money was in an inside the waist band hidden wallet) and passport disappeared. Since there was no distraction which pickpockets typically use (eg a body bump) either the person was very, very good or the wallet and passport fell out of my pocket which it has done in rare occasion in the USA. The LUAS light rail has many signs warning of pickpockets - I understand that Dublin has a large population of heroin users. It took the US embassy about one hour to produce a replacement passport. About a month later I received an email from the American Citizen Services at the embassy informing me that my passport and wallet had been turned it. Other than that my stay in Dublin and Belfast was quite pleasant and uneventful. It's not like Paris, Rome, Barcelona.....where there is a high presence of scammers, thieves.....

Have a good trip.

Hi Joseph,
I just returned from 8 days in Ireland. We were in Dublin, Galway and Northern Ireland. We used some motor coaches for tours and transportation but walked within each major city. I traveled with my daughter, and we felt very safe and had no incidents. I did make sure to keep my passport and extra cash always in a safe place - either in a hotel safe, hidden in a money belt or locked inside my daypack (with was then ALWAYS with me and touching some part of my body.) While touring within the cities, I used a standard cross body bag but kept one hand on it at all times in crowded places, and only had limited money/credit cards inside. We did not take trains in Ireland, but took several in England and had no issues, again taking the above precautions. Enjoy your trip!

Hello,
I just came back from a trip to Ireland. Didn't have any issues. Just know where your belongs are- safe hidden spots. Have an amazing adventure.

I have been to many cities known for pickpockets and scams, Paris, Rome, Barcelona. Etc. and I personally have never felt unsafe or been pick pocketed, however that does not mean it does not happen.
I have been to Dublin twice, never been pick pocketed , or felt unsafe , however that does not mean it doesn't happen .

Go , have fun, but always be mindful of your money and valuables.

I have been to every country in Europe over the last 10 yrs and I felt safer in Ireland than anyplace I've traveled. Ireland is also my favorite of all European countries!

I think you probably more at risk of having your pockets picked here in Washington DC (and I'm not talking about the pickpocketing the Congress critters are doing on Capitol Hill).

That being said, no matter where you are in the world, it is all about situational awareness and risk management. Doubly so when you are among unfamiliar surroundings like a foreign country.

I've also never had any problems with pickpockets when travelling in Ireland, however it's prudent to assume there WILL be pickpockets just about everywhere in Europe. In the example posted by Geor above, it's also a good idea to keep Passports in the Money Belt while touring, as replacing important documents can be a real nuisance if you're in a place that doesn't have an Embassy nearby.

Thank you all for your responses and best wishes!. I am nearly evangelical about wearing a money belt and I keep my day bag in front of me on trains and yet to have a problem (other than the ring scam is Paris, which I was well prepared to handle). Great to hear that your experiences were (mostly) safe. Geor, so glad to hear that your misfortune was handled so well; it could have been a lot worse.

Joseph

I'm wondering if my luggage will be safe in our rental car when we park to tour the sights. We will be driving around the country for 21 days.

I'm wondering if my luggage will be safe in our rental car when we park to tour the sights. We will be driving around the country for 21 days.

Most cars with a hatchback have some sort of cover over the luggage area. Make sure you use your cover and don't leave valuables (especially passports) in the car. You'll see signs in the car parks to remind you. In particular we saw signs at Glendalough and probably elsewhere.

We never leave valuables but I am still concerned if there are a lot of break ins to steal luggage.....

photobearsam - your question "...if there are a lot of break ins to steal luggage..." inspired me to spend a few minutes searching the Web. I came across this from 2015: http://irishpost.co.uk/9-percent-rise-tourist-crime-ireland/. The number quoted of 445 tourist incidents doesn't sound very alarming to me considering the number of tourists that visit Ireland yearly. I also took a look at the official Irish data at the Central Statistics Office. I did not see a break out of crimes against tourists. FWIW here's our anecdotal experience: traveled all around the island in a rental car with our luggage in the trunk over an 18 day period that included obvious tourist spots (e.g. Glendalough, Powers Court Garden, Giants' Causeway, Torc Waterfall, Kylemore Abbey) and very isolated spots (e.g. out in the middle of the Burren). We had no problems despite being away from the car for hours at a time. As with others, we kept our valuables on our persons. Best wishes for a wonderful and worry free trip.

that is awesome to hear.