Ireland

Date: March 29th, 2005 |

English on road signs and maps is disappearing by decree from the westernmost parts of counties Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Mayo and their outlying islands. In its place is Gaelic, Ireland�s official language, which is spoken in this area called the Gaeltacht and which the government has been trying to revive for decades. A [read more]

Ireland

Date: November 22nd, 2004 |

No Comments

Purse snatchers in Dublin have found easy pickings in an unexpected place: Catholic churches during Mass. The thieves sit among the pews and wait until the sacrament of Holy Communion is being served, then when women walk to the altar to receive it, leaving their purses behind, they snatch the bags and flee. The word [read more]

Ireland

Date: February 25th, 2004 |

No Comments

Ireland’s reputation for friendliness is so entrenched that many travelers forget that crime here occurs at about the same rate as in other European countries. Especially in urban centers such as Dublin or Limerick, incidents of petty theft and pickpocketing happen regularly. Use the same precautions you would in any major city, including placing bags [read more]

Ireland

Date: May 7th, 2002 |

No Comments

Crime in Dublin is comparable to other major European cities, but because Ireland has a reputation for being such a friendly place many Americans assume there is little crime and let their guard down. Violent crime involving Americans is rare, but violent crime overall has risen 20 percent in Dublin in the last year. Americans [read more]

Ireland

Date: December 7th, 2004 |

No Comments

Irish Ferries shut down its service to France for the winter in the face of strikes by workers protesting the outsourcing of jobs. The company plans to resume service in the spring with foreign workers. The strike has also shut down routes to Wales indefinitely. Travelers to Ireland should plan to fly in until the [read more]

Ireland

Date: July 12th, 2004 |

No Comments

A series of transit strikes is planned for July, August and September and could cause major disruption in the Dublin area. Bus and rail services may be shut down if the strikes go on as planned. Workers are protesting plans to privatize some Dublin bus routes. Strike dates are July 20, Aug. 4, 24 and [read more]

Ireland

Date: November 12th, 2002 |

No Comments

According to Ireland’s health minister, smoking will soon be banned in all restaurants and pubs during hours when food is being served. The ministry is making final changes to new regulations that will ban smoking in all workplaces except for designated smoking rooms. Smoking-related diseases are the leading cause of death in Ireland, where an [read more]

Ireland

Date: September 20th, 2001 |

No Comments

At long last, the new Northern Ireland Assembly that was to be formed in April as part of the “Good Friday” peace agreement is scheduled to take power Dec. 2, pending a vote of confirmation by the Ulster Unionist Party Nov. 27. Travelers should keep a close watch on developments here because there are people [read more]