A direct answer to “How safe is Northern Ireland for visitors to The Portrush Open?”. Extremely.
PERSONAL SAFETY: IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO NORTHERN IRELAND?
If you’re coming from any cities anywhere in the world where you can’t leave your mobile openly on the table in a cafe or where you’re always on the look-out for pickpockets or mugging situations, you’ll find our wee place a breath of fresh air. NI folk don’t worry about things like this, because we have an extremely low crime rate. Portrush itself is a quaint, quiet, laid back Victorian seaside town.
Sure, like everywhere, we have thieves and wrong’uns, and so we’d always urge you to take care. And no doubt with The Open some of these idiots might make their way up to Portrush because it’s anticipated that there will be 100,000 visitors for them to target. But it will be highly unlikely that anything bad will happen to you personally (mugging, feeling threatened or insecure, violence in the evenings associated with alcohol) or even that you’ll hear of bad things happening to others.
There’s a lovely sense of ‘feeling safe’ here in Northern Ireland. I think that’s the message we want to get across. When travelling to Belfast, Northern Ireland, it’s important to understand the safety aspects of the city, especially given its history.
Dad Colin talking: “To give you a sense of it, I would happily let Aidan (aged 14) head into Belfast on a Saturday night and come back by himself. And Belfast is our ‘roughest’ city, but overall, Belfast is safe. On the Causeway Coast I would have no issues with him coming home late by himself”. Is Belfast safe? Yes, for the most part, Belfast is safe for travellers and students alike.
While Belfast is generally safe, there are specific areas of Belfast to avoid, especially at night, such as Shankill, Falls Road, and parts of North and East Belfast. Taking common-sense precautions can enhance personal safety. Your best bet is to avoid wearing sports jerseys to prevent unwanted attention or conflict.
Northern Ireland is a relaxed, safe, welcoming place: To stay safe in Belfast, be mindful of your surroundings and avoid certain areas after dark. When visiting Belfast, it’s advisable to stay in the city center for a safer experience.
PETTY CRIME AT THE PORTRUSH OPEN
Petty crime is extremely low in Northern Ireland, but like everywhere, it does exist. So it’s important to urge caution. Like any world event where mass crowds gather in an unfamiliar place, stay vigilant and don’t do anything you wouldn’t do at home – so don’t leave obvious windows open, wallets and expensive equipment clearly on view in a car parked in a quiet place and your golf clubs leaning on the wall outside the pub whilst you go for a pint after the game. The usual stuff.
“THE TROUBLES”, PARAMILITARIES – IS IT REALLY ALL OVER?
We know this is a genuine concern, and, remarkably, 20 years on, it is still a barrier for lots of people coming to Northern Ireland, so let’s address it. More than likely, if you’re of a certain age and you first considered coming to The Open, the image of a guy in a mask with a gun or a bomb going off might have come into your head. Also, having mentioned your trip to others, these words, images, comments and jokes might have been brought up. So … No, you don’t need to bring a flack jacket to The Open. Or weapons. Or pack a balaclava! Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard it all before. Fingers crossed, one day, all those jokes will stop, and we’ll be able to move on.
It’s worth mentioning that the marching season in Northern Ireland, which runs from April through August, can be a politically charged period. The most intense times occur in June and July, and tourists should avoid Belfast during this period due to the potential for heightened political tensions and the nature of the marches. Researching this topic before visiting is important.
For the most part, 20 years of peace, change and normality, yet this thing still haunts us. No doubt, when they announced the golf coming to Portrush, news outlets around the world would have made reference to The Troubles. We’ve moved on, but the world keeps holding us back, so we need folks like you to come to Northern Ireland, enjoy the experience of our wonderful, unspoilt, safe place … and then tell the world. That’s the only way to change the record. This is why we need you to take to social media and post all your amazing stories and pics tagged with #causewaycoastNI and #NI so this message can get out.
The paradox that is Northern Ireland is that despite being known for our troubled and violent past, we live in one of the safest places in Europe. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 – 20 years ago – marked the end of “The Troubles”. 20 years of normality, yet people still worry about coming here, thinking it’s some kind of war zone with 30-40-year-old images of our past in their heads. During the riots, petrol bombs were often used, but such violence is rare today.
Political murals, which are significant and emotionally charged artworks, attract many tourists. Visitors should respect these murals as they often reflect the sectarian divide and evoke strong sentiments among locals. Sectarian violence has significantly decreased since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, but recent political developments, such as Brexit, have the potential to reignite tensions.
It’s also worth mentioning the friendliness of Belfast locals and the city’s vibrant nightlife. Claiming Irish heritage without proper roots can be contentious, so be mindful of cultural sensitivities. Enjoy the noteworthy experiences Belfast has to offer, especially during festive seasons.
How people often see Belfast in their mind
Photos courtesy of Belfast Telegraph
What they find
It’s easy to say things like, “We’re one of the safest places in Europe, but we thought it best to show you. 2017 research below from a leading UK insurance company:
Source: Admiral Insurance, 2017
Northern Ireland, as a country, has a unique geopolitical context that adds to its rich historical and political complexities.
Hope this has put it all in perspective for you!
Belfast City Hall, located in the city centre, is a prime example of how the area is perfectly safe and vibrant, especially during the festive season when it hosts one of the best Christmas Continental Markets in Europe. When planning to visit Northern Ireland, it’s important to understand what to avoid to enhance your travel experience.
