What Is The Most Dangerous City In Ireland? What You Need To Know!

Ireland has a population of just over 6 million people and there are only eight towns and cities with a population of more than 50,000 people. The capital, Dublin, is the most populous of Irish cities and is the only one with more than one million residents. The Global Peace Index lists Ireland in the top 15 safest countries in the world to visit and it is largely considered a warm and inviting country. However, as with any country, there are some areas that are not as safe as others.

Dublin, home to many bars and tourist attractions, is considered the most dangerous city in Ireland because it has the highest rates of robberies, theft, drug crimes, and fraud offences. However, it is Limerick that has the highest number of sex crimes and Waterford that has the most assaults, weapon crimes, and explosives offences. Cork is the city with the highest homicide rate, equivalent to just over 8 murders per year over the past five years.

Image Credit: Pixabay

About Ireland

The Emerald Island was formed in 1921 when the Anglo-Irish treaty was signed, marking the country’s independence. The Irish state is made up of 26 counties and became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and the European Union in 1973. Unlike Britain, Ireland is still a part of the EU. It is known as the Emerald Isle because of its lush green landscape, and it attracted more than 11 million tourists in 2019.

The 4 Most Dangerous Cities In Ireland

1. Dublin

Dublin has a population of 1.1 million people and, as well as being the most populous city, it is also the capital of Ireland. Although it celebrated its centenary in 1988, meaning it was first recognized in 988, humans have been in the area for many thousands of years. The city struggled financially during the early 20^th Century but saw a resurgence in the latter half of the Century and prior to the pandemic, Dublin had near full employment levels.

It is considered one of Europe’s most youthful cities and is famed for its bars, pubs, and restaurants. It is the hometown of Guinness beer, the birthplace of Oscar Wilde, Conor McGregor, and even the lion in the MGM logo.

The bands Thin Lizzy, Boyzone, Westlife, and U2 all formed in Dublin, too.

Unfortunately, as is often the case in the biggest cities and where there is a large number of pubs and bars, Dublin has the highest crime rate, per capita, of anywhere in Ireland.

2. Limerick

Ireland’s third largest city, Limerick, was founded by the Vikings and was incorporated even before London.

It has very strong links to the US, with no fewer than 10 geographic locations in the US all bearing the name Limerick. John F Kennedy’s great-grandfather Thomas Fitzgerald comes from Bruff in Co. Limerick.

The drink, Irish coffee, which combines coffee and Irish whiskey was also invented in the city. Although generally considered a friendly and welcoming city, Limerick has the highest number of sex crimes recorded in Ireland.

3. Waterford

Limerick is an old city, but it is Waterford, the country’s fifth most popular city with a population of 53,000, that lays claim to being the oldest city in the country. It was incorporated in 1171, the same year as Dublin, but Waterford was listed first. Reginald’s Tower still stands as a monument to the city’s Viking founders and retains its Viking title. More recently, it is known as being the starting point of Ryanair’s first flight and is home to several festivals throughout the year.

Notable people to have been born in Waterford include composer Gilbert O’Sullivan, and Harry Power, the Australian Bushranger.

4. Cork

The second largest city in Ireland, Cork, has a population of 210,000 people and is another city settled by Vikings in the 9^th Century. It was considered an important part of the Scandinavian trading network at the time.

Cork was granted city charter in 1185 and it is home to multiple sites and buildings of significant historical importance. It has strong ties to Gaelic games and, having returned with potatoes from America, Cork is where the first ever potato was planted.

Cork has the highest homicide rate in Ireland with 42 murders across a five year period.

• See Also: 21 Safest Places to Live in Ireland

Conclusion

Ireland is considered a friendly and welcoming country, but like all countries, there are some cities that are considered more dangerous than others. It is Dublin, the capital and by far the largest city in the country, that comes out ahead in most violent crime reports, while Limerick, Waterford, and Cork may also be considered among some of the more dangerous places to visit on the Emerald Isle.

• See Also: 15 Most Dangerous Cities In Europe

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay