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US embassy in Dublin warns visitors to Ireland to avoid walking alone

Personal security alert issued after violent attack on tourist from New York

The US embassy in Dublin has advised visitors to Ireland to avoid walking alone and to keep a “low profile” after an attack on a tourist from New York.

The embassy alert , issued on Tuesday, urged US visitors to “exercise good personal security practices” to be aware of their surroundings.

“Avoid walking alone, if possible, especially during hours of darkness. Do not wear or display expensive jewellery or watches and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Avoid placing passports, cash, cell phones, or other valuables in the outer pockets of backpacks or purses or on tables in public places,” the embassy warned.

Other tips included: “Avoid staring at your phone while walking in public areas. Limit earbud/headphone use when in public. Be mindful of your alcohol consumption. Keep a low profile.”

The warning comes after an assault that left Stephen Termini, 57, with life-changing injuries . A group of youths attacked the New Yorker on Store Street, in Dublin’s north inner city, on 19 July. He was staying at a guesthouse in nearby Talbot Street. A teenage boy has been charged.

The attack on Termini and other recent violent incidents in Dublin have prompted an outcry. The taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, called for more visible policing. “Our cities kind of deteriorated during the pandemic period and have never really come back to the level of safety that they were,” he said.

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The US state department’s travel advisory website still rates Ireland at level 1 , which means “exercise normal precautions”.

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Ireland Eases Restrictions, Allowing Vaccinated Travelers to Arrive Without Getting Tested

Travelers who have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine or who have contracted COVID-19 in the last six months and recovered will not have to show a pre-departure test.

Ireland is making it easier for vaccinated travelers to visit the Emerald Isle by eliminating the need to get a pre-departure COVID-19 test before departure.

Going forward, travelers who have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine or who have contracted COVID-19 in the last six months and recovered will not have to show a pre-departure test, according to the country's Department of Health . Travelers who are unvaccinated or don't have proof of recovery from the virus will have to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival.

Travelers to the country must also complete a passenger locator form. Children 11 and under are exempt from testing.

The new rules, which went into effect on Thursday, reverse earlier protocols put in place a month ago to stem the spread of the omicron variant, Reuters reported. The country is currently seeing a 50.8% case positivity rate over the last seven days with just over 23,800 new cases recorded on Wednesday, according to Ireland's COVID-19 Data Hub .

The omicron variant accounts for nearly all infections in Ireland , the wire service noted.

"There will be a challenging number of weeks in January," Prime Minister Micheál Martin said during a news conference, according to Reuters. "The next week or ten days will give us more evidence in terms of the impact of this variant on severity of illness and that will inform decisions on a broad range of issues."

Ireland is the latest country to ease restrictions it implemented in response to the emergence of the omicron variant. On Friday, the United Kingdom eliminated its pre-departure test requirement for vaccinated travelers and, starting Sunday, plans to allow tourists to take an easier — and cheaper — rapid test after arriving.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

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Ireland Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 26, 2023, ireland - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Ireland.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Ireland.

If you decide to travel to Ireland:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Ireland.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

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Get The Latest Travel News For Our Tours Of Ireland

Get the latest travel updates from Vagabond & Driftwood about our 2024 and 2025 tours of Ireland.

Get yourself ready for Ireland by reading the latest travel updates and our most frequently asked questions (FAQs).

You'll also find info on visa requirements, packing tips and advice on budgeting.

Select the 'down arrow' or title to expand the answer to the any of the following FAQs.

What Should I Pack?

Travel light.

That's the one travel tip that we hear again and again from guests who have experienced our tours.

Your Ireland trip will run smoother if you pack these essentials.

Are you taking an active Vagabond Cultural Adventure ?

Comfortable trainers/sneakers work fine for our hikes.

However, lightweight hiking boots are even better because they...

• Are usually waterproof or water-resistant
• Offer improved grip over steep and/or loose terrain
• Support your ankles on uneven ground and when descending

There are no long walks or hikes on Driftwood Journeys of Discovery  so you don't require specialised footwear.

However, comfort is the order of the day. But make sure you pack shoes suitable for light walking.

You'll enjoy lots of free time to stroll around cute little towns and take guided tours of sheep farms.

💡 TOP TIP: Make sure you wear-in your chosen footwear for at least a few days BEFORE you come on tour.

We highly recommend you bring a WiFi-enabled mobile phone with you to Ireland.

All of our hotels have free internet access so you can keep in touch with loved ones at home.

A phone will also come in very handy if you are delayed or need to contact a local number while you are here, for any reason.

If you do plan on bringing a phone, please share your number with us before the trip: [email protected]

One of the things that makes Ireland so much fun is the exciting climate.

Sun. Wind. Rain shower.

Then, 5 minutes later, sun again...

Here are our tips for what clothes to pack for your tour:

• 🧅 Pack Layers. We suggest packing flexible and lightweight layers (under a waterproof outer shell). Layers will allow you to quickly adapt to unexpected changes in weather or temperature.
• 🪩 Think Casual: Formal wear is not required for dining and nightlight in Ireland. The dress code is casual at 99% of pubs, restaurants and venues.
• 🧥 Waterproof Shell. Beat sudden rain showers and gusts of wind by packing a lightweight waterproof shell jacket. Make sure you buy from a reputable brand. You'll thank yourself later!
• 🧢 Head First. You'll never regret packing a hat. Either a soft 'beanie' or a peaked baseball cap will come in handy at some point.
• 👖 Trousers. Are you taking an active Vagabond Cultural Adventure ? Lightweight waterproof or water-resistant trousers can be handy for longer hikes. Quick-dry walking trousers are another great option.
• 🌤️ Protect Your Eyes & Skin.  Pack sunglasses/shades and protective sun cream. Yes, it can get sunny in Ireland! What's more, when sun and wind combine, you may not notice your skin burning; which won't be fun for anyone.
• 🛶 Towel:  Are you taking an active Vagabond Cultural Adventure ? Watersport options like sea kayaking or surfing require a light towel. Towels are supplied by all our hotels but you may wish to bring your own.
• 🩳 Swimsuit/Trunks: Pack a swimsuit/trunk for watersports (see above), for cheeky dips in the sea or for accessing hotel spas, where available.

@vagabondtoursireland What to pack for a trip to Ireland ☘️ Sean tells you his tips and tricks on what to pack for an active vacation. Let us know if we forgot anything in the comments. #packinglist #ireland #whattopack #discoverireland #keepdiscovering #tlpicks #bucketlist #packing #trip ♬ original sound - VagabondToursIreland

Guest luggage on Vagabond & Driftwood Tours is restricted to one suitcase per person (no bigger than 30” or 75cm along their longest side).

Soft-sided bags work great.

🎒 Daypack/Backpack. A smaller bag where you can store your daily essentials will also prove convenient.

Learn more on this luggage FAQ .

🤭 Facecloths

You might think we are joking here...

However, some hotels in Ireland do not provide facecloths.

If you like to have a facecloth to hand while travelling, we'd suggest bringing one or two along with you!

Read our blog about packing for Ireland

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

While travel insurance is not a requirement for our tours, we strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance cover before your trip to Ireland.

Your policy should cover all medical costs associated with travel.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Even though the risk is small, make sure your insurance over includes costs associated with one of your party testing positive for COVID-19 while in Ireland.

Ensure your policy also covers issues arising from:

• Flight cancellation
• Personal accident cover
• Lost/stolen personal luggage
• Lost/stolen money
• Public liability

Vagabond Tours Ltd. can accept no responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings or liability for personal injury/death while on tour with us.

Better safe than sorry!

Read our full terms and conditions

Do I Need A Visa To Visit Ireland?

Are you a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or Aotearoa/New Zealand?

If so, you DO NOT require a visa to travel to the Republic of Ireland and/or Northern Ireland (UK) for the sole purpose of tourism.

You DO NOT need a visa as long as you meet all of the following conditions:

• You're a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or Aotearoa/New Zealand
• You're travelling for the sole purpose of tourism
• You're staying less than 3 months in Ireland.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Ireland is NOT a part of the ETIAS scheme . ETIAS is a pre-authorisation system for travellers planning trips to certain European countries — but not Ireland. It is expected to launch at some point in 2025.

If in any doubt, please contact the Irish embassy or consulate in your home country before embarkation for travel.

If you're NOT a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or Aotearoa/New Zealand, a visa may be required when visiting Ireland and/or Northern Ireland.

• Check if your country requires a visa for the Republic of Ireland
• Check if your country requires a visa for Northern Ireland (UK)

Once again, ETIAS pre-authorisation is not required to visit Ireland for a vacation. It only appies to the Schengen countries. Learn more about the ETIAS scheme .

Is your passport in date? Make sure you read about passport validity requirements

How Much Cash Should I Bring To Ireland?

We recommend bringing a small amount of cash in euros to Ireland with you.

Around €300 euro should be more than enough to get you through your first days in Dublin.

🏧 Withdrawing Cash From ATMs

While in Ireland, you can withdraw cash from cash machines/ATMs as you need it.

You'll find cash machines/ATMs in most towns and gas/service stations on tour.

Just ask your VagaGuide tour guide for advice on when and where is best to withdraw cash.

💳 Card Charges & Acceptance

Check how much the charges on your cards are for withdrawing foreign currency before you leave home.

Please note that American Express (AMEX) and Discover are not widely accepted in Ireland.

Our advice is stick to Visa or Mastercard, if possible.

⚠️ Let Your Card Provider Know You're Travelling

It's important to let your bank know you are travelling to Ireland before you leave your home country.

If you don't alert your bank, payments could be blocked on the grounds of suspicious activity.

💷 Money In Northern Ireland

Remember that you'll need British pound sterling (£) in cash if your tour is visiting Northern Ireland:

The following tours visit Northern Ireland:

  💷 15 Day Driftwood All Ireland Tour

  💷 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure

  💷 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour

  💷 7 Day Vagabond Magnetic North Adventure Tour

  💷 6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour

💶 Exchanging Dollars for Euros/Pounds

If you're travelling with dollars, you can exchange them for Euro (€) or Pounds (£) at Dublin Airport or any currency exchange.

🐎 Cash For These Optional Activities

• Black Cab Tour in Belfast
• Dingle Folk Concert
• Kinsale Walking History Tour
• Slieve League Boat Trip
• Surf Lesson in Spanish Point
• Horseback Riding in Dingle
• Traditional Rowing in Dingle
• Bike Hire in Killarney
• Guided E-Bike Tour in Connemara
• Surf Lesson in Donegal
• Sea Kayaking in Donegal
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
• Walking Tour of Derry/Londonderry
• Horseback Riding in Mayo

Read our full guide to money, budgeting and credit cards in Ireland

What Day & Time Do Tours Depart?

Some of the only non-flexible elements of our tours are the departure location, departure day and departure time.

The most important information to know is that all of our tours depart from Dublin's Grand Canal Hotel on either Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays.

Here is the full list of scheduled departure days and times for both Vagabond and Driftwood Tours of Ireland:

Sundays at 8.10am

• ⚔️ 6 Day Driftwood Great Southern Ireland Tour
• 🐑 6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour

Sundays at 8.20am

• 🌍 7 Day Vagabond World Tour of Ireland
• 🛶 7 Day Vagabond Magnetic North Tour
• 🏰 7 Day Driftwood Castles & Kingdoms Tour
• ☘️ 15 Day Driftwood All Ireland Tour

Sundays at 8.30am

• 🌄 8 Day Vagabond Wild Irish Rover Tour
• 🌊 8 Day Driftwood Wild Atlantic Way Tour
• 🎻 8 Day Driftwood Jigs & Reels Music Tour

Mondays at 8.10am

• 🏴‍☠️ 5 Day Vagabond Edge of the World Tour
• 🌄   7 Day Driftwood Treasure Ireland Tour

Mondays at 8.20am

• ☘️ 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour

Mondays at 8.30am

• 💚 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour  (Monday Departures)
• 💍 11 Day Driftwood Ring of Ireland Tour

Tuesdays at 8.10am

• 💚 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour  (Tuesday Departures)

Booking Suitable Flight Times

We strongly advise that you book your flights arrive at least the night before your scheduled tour departure.

We aim to have you back in Dublin between 5-6pm on the final day of your tour. If you're planning to fly out on the last night of your tour, please do not book a flight that departs Dublin Airport before 10pm.

Check return days and times for our tours

Are There Any Luggage Restrictions?

Yes, we do operate a limit on luggage.

Owing to the compact nature of our small-group tour vehicles , your luggage limit is one suitcase per person (no bigger than 30” or 75cm along their longest side).

Travelling as a couple? You can bring along one large suitcase instead of two medium ones.

Soft-sided bags work even better than hard shell luggage.

Besides your larger bag, you can carry a small day pack on your Vagabond or Driftwood tour vehicle for those essentials.

🧳 Left Luggage

Most Dublin hotels offer a left luggage service.

You can leave luggage at the hotel while you tour and return to it when your tour is complete.

Need to do laundry?

We can organise laundry facilities for you on tour if your tour visits the towns of Dingle, Clifden or Kinsale.

Just ask your VagaGuide tour guide in advance.

Please take note of our health-themed FAQs below.

Do I Need To Be Vaccinated To Travel To Ireland?

Vaccines are not required for travel to Ireland.

Do I Have To Wear Masks In Ireland?

You are not required to wear face masks in public spaces in Ireland.

While it is not necessary to wear a mask on a Vagabond or Driftwod tour vehicle, you are welcome to do so, especially if you have symptoms of any respiratory illness such as a cold, flu, or COVID-19, or any contractible gastric illness.

Do I Need To Test If I Have Symptoms Of A Respiratory Illness?

Current medical guidelines in Ireland state that you do not have to take a COVID-19 test if you have respiratory symptoms unless a doctor requests you to do so.

What Happens If I Test Positive for COVID-19 On Tour? 

If you test positive for COVID-19 on tour, you will need to comply with Irish healthcare guidelines and leave the tour to self isolate for 5 days.

Our friendly and professional team will support you in any way we can.

It is important that you have travel insurance to cover any costs incurred.

Find out how we've made changes to our tour experience and health and safety measures in the answers below.

What Safety Precautions Are In Place?

The welfare of our guests, as well as that of our staff and the communities we visit, will always be paramount.

Here is how we ensure the highest possible standards of hygiene and lowest risk:

• 😷 While it is not necessary to wear a mask on Vagabond and Driftwood tour vehicles, you are welcome to do so, especially if you have symptoms of any respiratory illness such as a cold, flu, or COVID-19, or any contractible gastric illness.
• 🧴 Hand sanitiser is provided for guests in all Vagabond and Driftwood tour vehicles.
• 🧼 We actively and continuously review our standard operating procedures, ensuring the highest possible standards of hygiene for our vehicles.
• 🏨 We insist that our hotel destinations, activity suppliers and other partners comply with the latest safety guidelines.
• 🛞 Our VagaGuide tour guide team  receive dedicated training to ensure safe, smooth driving and minimise risks.

Should I Wear A Mask On Tour?

Wearing of face masks on Vagabond and Driftwood tour vehicles is not required.

How To Contact Us

If you have any concerns about your upcoming tour, please do not hesitate to contact us .

☎️ By Telephone

From Ireland: +353 (0) 1 563 4358

From USA (Toll Free): 833 230 0288

From CA (Toll Free): 833 681 6903

📨 By Email: enquiries@vagabond.ie

PLEASE NOTE: Our office hours are MONDAY TO THURSDAY 9.30am-5.30pm and FRIDAY 9.30am-5.00PM GMT.

Our phone numbers divert to Ireland so 'your' time might be the middle of the night for us. Please leave a message and we'll get straight back to you.

The whole team are excited to be welcoming you to Ireland soon!

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Ireland's leader believes delivering 250,000 new homes is achievable

D UBLIN, Ireland: Simon Harris, leader of Fine Gael, is confident in the government's ability to surpass housing construction targets, asserting that the aim of erecting 250,000 new homes within a five-year span is realistic.

Acknowledging the challenges in meeting an annual construction rate of 50,000 homes by 2025, Harris emphasized that the target should be viewed flexibly, recognizing the need to gradually escalate capacity. He emphasized the importance of examining all perspectives before finalizing contentious legislation, particularly regarding hate speech and the proposed extension of pub and nightclub opening hours.

With Ireland projected to construct approximately 35,000 new homes this year, outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has conceded the improbability of hitting the 50,000 per year mark by 2025. Harris concurred with Varadkar's assessment, indicating that Fine Gael's envisioned 250,000 target might involve a front-loaded approach, with more homes completed toward the latter part of the specified timeframe.

Harris underscored house building as a top priority in his address to the Fine Gael ard fheis in Galway. He highlighted the significance of existing policies, such as development levy waivers and the Help to Buy scheme, in facilitating the realization of the ambitious 250,000-home goal.

Pressed to clarify his housing commitments, Harris stressed the distinction between setting a numerical target and expanding the scope of ambition.

He added, "It is not just about setting a target, it is about increasing the scale of ambition. It is about saying to the people of Ireland, particularly the young people and the parents who have a son or daughter in the box room, that we must do more and lift our ambition. The figures are encouraging in terms of how many homes we are now building, and I believe we can do more. I outlined last night some of the ways I think we can do this."

The proposed legislation on hate speech and extended pub and nightclub hours has provoked significant debate. Amid concerns about potential encroachments on freedom of expression and road safety implications, Harris committed to consult with stakeholders and experts. He underscored the importance of meticulous deliberation to ensure the optimal formulation of these laws.

"So, these are the two pieces of legislation that I want to take stock on and then decide how best to proceed," he told RT's This Week program.

"I am very clear, there is some good stuff in that legislation. I just want to make sure that we get it right."

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Fjords, Pharaohs or Koalas? Time to Plan for Your Next Eclipse.

If you can’t get enough of totality, or missed out this time, you’ll have three more chances in the next four years in destinations like Iceland, Spain, Egypt and Australia.

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By Danielle Dowling

Are you still a little giddy from the magical moments of totality during Monday’s solar eclipse? Or did clouds swoop in to block your view? Maybe you just couldn’t make it to the path of totality this time. No matter what, the question now is “ Where and when will it happen again?”

“People who have never seen it before, the first words out of their mouth after the totality ends is ‘I’ve got to see another one, this is incredible, this is unbelievable.’ That is when you become addicted to these things and end up traveling no matter where the next one is,” said Joseph Rao, an eclipse chaser and guest lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium.

So, if like Mr. Rao, you’ve developed a raging case of umbraphilia — the love of eclipses — you’ll have three chances over the next four years to see the moon blot out the sun. The first, on Aug. 12, 2026, will start above Greenland, then strafe the west coast of Iceland and move along the Atlantic Ocean and over Spain. Almost a year later, on Aug. 2, 2027, another will skirt the Mediterranean coast of North Africa then cross Egypt and part of the Arabian Peninsula. The third, on July 22, 2028, will cut across Australia and the southern tip of New Zealand.

Future Eclipses

Eclipse chasers will have several more chances this decade to view a total solar eclipse .

Last week, as Victoria Sahami , the owner of Sirius Travel , was preparing to guide a group of tourists in Mazatlán, Mexico, for Monday’s big event, she was also planning for these other upcoming eclipses. Ms. Sahami joined the ranks of the eclipse-obsessed when she witnessed one in Venezuela in the 1990s. “Like many people, I was hooked. There was no going back,” she said.

Total solar eclipses happen fairly regularly — about every one to two years — in locations scattered around the world. “That’s the great thing about them: You wind up in places that you don’t normally go,” Ms. Sahami said.

A major spoiler is weather, which will be a big variable in the 2026 eclipse — one Greenland, Iceland and Spain will see.

“Iceland normally has a lot of cloud during that time of year,” said Paul Maley , who runs Ring of Fire Expeditions . “The data shows Spain to have the higher good-weather prospects of all three. However, the sun is low in the sky and the eclipse ends as the sun hits the horizon at sunset.”

Because of Iceland’s mercurial meteorology, Ring of Fire Expeditions is going all in on Spain, with a 10-day excursion on the mainland. Sirius Travel is offering not only a five-day trip to Majorca but also an eight-day tour around Iceland. It will be based in Reykjavik, and the itinerary will remain flexible on the day of the eclipse so the tour can easily pivot toward the location with the least cloud cover. Ms. Sahami recommends the trip for those who already have a few eclipses under their belt and would be happy just to take in the sights of Iceland if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

The 2027 eclipse, on the other hand, promises to be truly stellar: Luxor, Egypt — the site of numerous ancient temples as well as the Valleys of the Kings and Queens — sits right in the middle of the path of totality and will be bathed in darkness for a full 6 minutes 23 seconds. Weather-wise, it is what Ms. Sahami called “a slam dunk.” “You know you’re going to see it. You know that you’re not going to get any clouds,” she said.

But for all its potential, those considering Egypt should be aware that the State Department has a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” warning for the country because of the risk of terrorism.

The 2028 eclipse will darken the skies over Sydney, Australia, for 3 minutes 49 seconds. It will be the first time the city has experienced a total solar eclipse since 1857. Ms. Sahami has her eyes on a trip based out of there, while Mr. Maley has chartered a cruise ship off the northwest coast of Australia. It will be winter there, he said, but that isn’t likely to mean bad eclipse-viewing weather.

If you want to see any (or all) of these eclipses, you should get started on planning and booking now, particularly if you want to sign up for a trip organized by a tour company. One of Sirius Travel’s excursions to Luxor is already full.

Scrutinize refund policies and look into insuring your trip. Several companies will fully refund your deposit if you cancel a year in advance. A lot can happen, Ms. Sahami said, “but if you think you’re going to go, why not?”

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