Most tourists in Dublin were unbothered by last week’s violence. 

The chaos on the streets of the capital saw a number of foreign countries issue travel warnings, urging citizens to avoid protests in Dublin. 

Despite this, The Hard Shoulder reporter Josh Crosbie found most felt safe in Ireland and were enjoying their holiday. 

One woman visiting from Britain said her friends at home were “very surprised” to hear there had been violence in Ireland. 

“It certainly didn’t put us off at all,” she said. 

'We have the same in Paris' 

Two French tourists were even less bothered by Thursday’s events. 

“We were just glad we came after it happened,” one said. 

“We already booked our tickets before, so no it didn’t really make us not want to come.” 

His companion said the violence was “less” than usually takes place when people riot in France. 

“In France, last week, we had some problems in Paris,” he said. 

Nor would it impact their decision to make a return visit. 

“We have the same in Paris [and] it doesn’t make us not want to go back there,” he said. 

'We’re used to stuff like that'

A visiting couple from Maine was more sombre. 

“We’re from the US,” he said. 

“We’re used to stuff like that. 

“We’re saddened to see it but I understood what was going on.”

Rioting and looting in Dublin (23/11/2023). Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Another American tourist described the violence as a “ridiculous” thing to happen. 

“There’s always good and bad wherever you go but unfortunately sometimes the bad takes over,” he said. 

He also said it would not stop him recommending Ireland to family. 

“From my understand, you got to go more north if you want to deal with that type of stuff, not down here,” he said.  

'That kind of thing happens quite a lot in Ireland'

One British tourist in town to meet a friend admitted the riots had made him a “little worried”. 

“But I kind of figured, that kind of thing happens quite a lot in Ireland, so I wasn’t too worried about it,” he said in reference to the Troubles. 

Still, he thought Dublin was a “nice place” and was not worried by Gardaí in riot gear which he sees “quite a lot in London these days”. 

Another British woman said she had been “concerned” before her arrival but also intrigued to see what the city was like. 

“We’re really enjoying it,” she said. 

“There doesn’t seem to be any signs of any aggravation.” 

In 2019, tourism contributed 3.7% of Ireland’s tax revenue.

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Main image: A double decker bus and a car are set alight on the edge of O’Connell Bridge during riots in Dublin, 23-11-2023. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews