Ireland

Recommended Vaccinations For Ireland

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Although there is a low risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, the vaccination is still recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Although the there is a low risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, the vaccination is still recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies Vaccine

**The rabies vaccination is recommended for those travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats.**

Recommended Medications For Ireland

There are no recommendations for Ireland at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Ireland

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a low risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Ireland through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a low risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Ireland.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with an infected person.

Measles

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies

**Rabies has not been reported in Ireland and is considered a low risk for travellers, However, it may occur in bats.**

Safety & Security in Ireland

Personal Safety

Ireland maintains relatively safe conditions for travellers compared to many other destinations. Crime rates recorded by the Central Statistics Office show 218,128 offences in 2023, with patterns that travellers should understand. Theft and petty crime remain the most common issues, particularly in urban centres. In Dublin and major cities, you face increased risks of pickpocketing and bag snatching in crowded tourist areas and on public transport. Robbery incidents increased 18% in early 2024, driven mainly by street robberies and extortion. Dublin’s city centre experiences higher crime rates than other regions, especially around O’Connell Street, Temple Bar after dark, and busy transit hubs. In 2024, several tourist attacks received national media attention, including incidents involving Canadian and American visitors. Sexual offences increased 8% to 3,709 cases in 2024, with rape reports reaching 964. Weapon-related crimes also rose, with firearm discharge incidents up 29% to 108 cases. Motor vehicle theft reached its highest level in over a decade with 7,623 incidents in 2024. Recent anti-immigration protests and riots have occurred since 2023, including the November 2023 Dublin riot that police described as the most violent in modern history and June 2025 disturbances in Northern Ireland. These events primarily affect specific neighbourhoods rather than tourist areas. Ireland confirmed its first jihadist attack in August 2024 when a radicalised teenager stabbed a Defence Forces chaplain in Galway. Terrorism arrests related to jihadist activity numbered nine in 2023. Northern Ireland maintains a separate security context where dissident republican groups remain active, with the terrorism threat level raised to severe in 2023. Business travellers should remain alert in city centres, avoid displaying expensive items openly, and exercise heightened awareness after dark. The detection rate for crimes remains low at around 20%, meaning most incidents go unsolved.

Extreme Violence

Ireland experiences low levels of extreme violence compared to international standards. Homicide rates remain modest with 38 murders recorded in 2024, up slightly from 35 in 2023. The homicide detection rate stood at 82% in 2023, indicating strong police response to serious crimes. Gang-related violence primarily affects specific communities rather than random targets. Firearms discharge incidents increased 29% to 108 cases in 2024, though these remain concentrated in areas with organised crime activity. Knife crime exists but does not reach levels seen in many other European cities. Assaults increased 29% between 2020 and 2024, from 19,072 to 24,513 incidents, showing a troubling upward trend in violence. The November 2023 Dublin riot represented an exceptional event described by police as the most violent in modern Dublin history, resulting in extensive property damage estimated at tens of millions of euros. Far-right and anti-immigration protests escalated to violence in multiple instances since 2023, including the July 2024 Coolock incident where over 1,000 protesters set fire to a facility intended to house asylum seekers. An estimated 476 anti-immigration protests occurred in 2022 and 2023 combined, with approximately 26 buildings subjected to arson attacks over five years. The August 2024 attack on a Defence Forces chaplain marked Ireland’s first confirmed jihadist terrorism incident, involving a radicalised 16-year-old who repeatedly stabbed the victim. This attack formed part of 24 jihadist incidents across the EU in 2024. Northern Ireland maintains distinct security concerns with dissident republican groups including the New IRA actively targeting police and security personnel. A February 2023 shooting of a Deputy Chief Inspector in Omagh demonstrated continued paramilitary threat levels. Business travellers face minimal risk of becoming caught in extreme violence incidents. Most serious crimes target specific individuals within criminal networks or result from domestic situations rather than random attacks on strangers or visitors.

Political Unrest

Political unrest has increased notably since 2023, marking a shift in Ireland’s traditionally stable environment. Anti-immigration sentiment drove significant disturbances including the November 2023 Dublin riot triggered by misinformation following a stabbing incident. This riot involved 500 people at its peak, resulted in widespread arson of buses and police vehicles, extensive looting, and damage estimated at tens of millions of euros. Police deployed 400 officers in riot gear, the largest such deployment in Irish history. Protests against asylum seeker accommodation occurred at approximately 476 locations in 2022 and 2023, varying from peaceful gatherings to violent confrontations. The July 2024 Coolock riot saw over 1,000 protesters attack a former factory being converted for asylum seekers, setting it ablaze and injuring first responders. Coordinated arson campaigns targeted refugee centres and migrant housing developments, with 26 buildings attacked over five years. Far-right groups use encrypted messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal to organise rapid mobilisations, often based on rumours or misinformation. A national protest march in April 2025 drew over 10,000 participants according to media estimates. June 2025 brought multi-night riots to Northern Ireland towns including Ballymena, Coleraine, Lisburn and Belfast, with hundreds of masked rioters attacking police, throwing petrol bombs, and setting buildings alight. Water cannons borrowed from Northern Ireland police were deployed. At least 40 officers sustained injuries and 15 arrests occurred during four nights of sustained disorder. Trust in government efforts to combat prejudice fell significantly, from 67% in 2019 to 40% by 2023 according to European surveys. These protests and riots typically affect specific neighbourhoods rather than tourist zones, though city centre disturbances can disrupt transport and commerce. Business travellers should monitor local news, avoid protest areas, and maintain flexibility in travel plans during periods of heightened tension.

Areas To Avoid

Dublin requires the most attention regarding areas to avoid. Tallaght consistently ranks as the highest-crime area with over 100,000 incidents recorded between 2003 and 2019. Food delivery drivers actively avoid this southwestern suburb, and visitors have no typical reason to travel there. Ballymun on the north side has struggled with social challenges, drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour despite redevelopment efforts. Darndale, Finglas and West Tallaght share similar profiles with higher crime rates and gang activity. The North Inner City shows elevated crime statistics despite proximity to tourist areas, with Pearse Street station covering Dublin’s highest-crime district. Temple Bar transforms after dark from tourist attraction to area requiring heightened vigilance, with alcohol-related aggression and theft increasing substantially. O’Connell Street and surrounding areas including Talbot Street present pickpocketing and robbery risks, particularly at night. Incident reports involving tourists occurred here in 2024. Outside Dublin, Cork’s Knocknaheeny, Mayfield and Farranree neighbourhoods on the northside experience social challenges including crime and anti-social behaviour. Limerick’s Moyross and Southill areas face similar issues with higher crime rates, though regeneration efforts continue. Galway’s Westside, Ballybane and Doughiska show elevated crime compared to other city areas. These problematic zones exist primarily in residential areas away from typical tourist routes. City centres across Ireland generally maintain reasonable safety during daylight hours. You should avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas after dark, particularly in poorly lit locations. Parks and green spaces become less safe at night. The 2023 Dublin riots demonstrated how rapidly situations can deteriorate in city centres, though such events remain exceptional. Northern Ireland towns including Ballymena, Coleraine and Lisburn experienced significant disorder in June 2025, with residential streets becoming flashpoints for violence. Business travellers focusing on commercial districts, established tourist areas and reputable accommodations face minimal exposure to high-crime neighbourhoods.