Medical

Good medical facilities are widely available throughout Ireland. You are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance before you travel. Visitors from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can obtain free medical treatment and access to a doctor on production of a valid EHIC(European Health Insurance Card, which replaces form E111 as of January 1, 2006). If you do not already have a EHIC, applications can be made through the post office or department of health in your country prior to travel.

A 24-hour accident and emergency department can be found at:

St James Hospital
James St
Tel: +353 (0)1-410-3000

Personal Safety

Like the rest of Ireland, Dublin has a low rate of violent crime and is generally considered a safe place for tourists to travel. Nevertheless, make sure that you take precautions to keep your personal belongings safe from pickpockets.

Be especially vigilant in busy tourist areas such as the Temple Bar area at night, and when on public transport. Always fasten your bags and use the strap on your camera to prevent it being grabbed out of your hand. Never carry important documents around with you and take care when using ATM machines to ensure that you are not observed inputting your PIN.

If driving, never leave belongings inside the car in view. Some of the poorer suburbs of the city are not nice places to visit, but it is unlikely that tourists should desire to visit these areas.

Police in Ireland are known as the Guards or Gardaí (pronounced gar-dee). They are generally extremely helpful and friendly. There are two central police stations, located at:

Pearse St
Tel: +353 (0)1-666-9000
Store St
Tel: +353 (0)1-666-8000