Dublin Areas To Avoid: A Guide To The Most Dangerous Areas In Dublin

If you read our guide to Is Dublin Safe, you’ll know there’s areas of Dublin to avoid.

However, you’ll also know that, according to a study by Failte Ireland in 2019, 98% of tourists felt safe in Dublin.

So, although there are dangerous areas in Dublin, the capital is still relatively safe, however, there are both situations and areas you need to dodge.

In the guide below, you’ll find info on the various dangerous areas in Dublin along with some advice on staying safe.

Some quick need-to-knows about the areas to avoid in Dublin

Before you dive into the article below, there are several need-to-knows about our guide on areas to avoid in Dublin, so take a minute to read them.

1. This isn’t a guide for renting

If you’re looking to rent and you’re trying to figure out the worst places to live in Dublin so that you can avoid them, this isn’t the guide you’re looking for, I’m afraid (although you should find the info later on enlightening…). This is aimed at visiting tourists wondering where to stay in Dublin.

2. It’s not that simple

City dynamics are constantly changing and you’ll rarely get total agreement from anyone on one particular area. This guide isn’t about wielding pitchforks and going to town on one neighbourhood, because it would be unfair to those living there. We’ll go by the figures as best we can and offer tourists an idea of Dublin areas to avoid ahead of their trip.

3. Take statistics with a pinch of salt

Having said that, statistics only offer a limited overview of an area. What’s worse is that many media outlets create clickbait headlines around ‘new studies’ to create outrage and drive clicks. Numbers alone aren’t a foolproof method of proving anything so don’t be too frightened of travelling simply by seeing an alarming-looking figure. 

A map of Dublin areas to avoid (according to Deliveroo drivers)

Sometimes amazing things can come from the most surprising of sources. Then again, this one makes perfect sense! The map above of areas in Dublin to avoid was created by Deliveroo drivers.

These are people that have collectively covered every mile of the city and have first-hand experience of dealing with residents from every corner of Dublin.

This map pinpoints what they have experienced to be the worst areas in Dublin, based on bad encounters (injuries, name-calling and assaults) and it makes for far more compelling and engaging viewing than any bunch of numbers that could be thrown your way.

As you can see, many of the most dangerous areas in Dublin are far from the city centre and are places that we would never recommend tourists to visit (again, see our guide on where to stay in Dublin).

There are a few, however, that are closer to the city centre where you may be tempted to book an Airbnb or something like that – this map is particularly handy for avoiding that possibility and saving yourself some potential bother during your trip. 

The most dangerous areas in Dublin (based on 2019/2020 statistics)

So, there’s a lot of data to dive into if you’re trying to figure out Dublin areas to avoid based on crime data.

The Central Statistics Office released crime stats from 2003 to 2019. Now, again, please take these with a pinch of salt – you’ll have many lovely people living in these places).

According to these figures, the most dangerous areas of Dublin (and several of these match up with the worst areas in Dublin on the Deliveroo map) are as follows:

1. Dublin City

Where the most people congregate is always going to be a potential crime hotspot. The city centre is, of course, the most obvious example and it’s why tourists need to be vigilant when they’re out and about and try not to be too blasé with their valuables. 

2. Pearse Street

Perhaps surprisingly, Pearse Street Garda station in Dublin’s south inner city is at the centre of Ireland’s most crime-ridden district. Between 2003 and 2019, it had the highest number of criminal incidents and the small area around the station is visible too if you zoom into the Deliveroo map (it’s in red). 

3. Tallaght

Another area high on the list is Tallaght, although it’s unlikely any tourists would spend any time out in this area of the city given its location. With over 100,000 incidents recorded during the 2003 to 2019 timespan, also appears on the Deliveroo map underneath a large grey square. 

4. Blanchardstown

Just below Tallaght is Blanchardstown with 95,000 incidents. Like Tallaght, it’s a largely residential area with local businesses that tourists are unlikely to frequent, but be vigilant if you do find yourself out there. 

Visiting the capital? Dodge the different areas to avoid in Dublin by picking a great neighbourhood to stay in

Part of the fun of visiting a new city (for me at least!) is planning your adventures and what you want to see during your time there.

Though most booking websites will drive you towards the city centre (and that’s no bad thing), your trip can be given an extra bit of spice by choosing a great neighbourhood to stay in. 

From Phibsborough to Portobello, there are some cracking areas of Dublin that aren’t too far from the bright lights of the city centre and are packing with cool cafes, colourful bars and charming canalside walks. 

We’ve put together a guide where you can find several great places to stay in and around the city, regardless of what budget you’re playing with.

Areas of Dublin to avoid: Have your say

Topics that touch on the worst areas of Dublin should be heavily debated, as there are so many factors that come into play.

If you’d like to mention areas of Dublin to avoid or if you disagree with anything above, please shout away in the comments below.

FAQs about the worst areas in Dublin

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What are the worst places to live in Dublin’ to ‘What dangerous areas in Dublin need to be dodged like the plague?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What Dublin areas to avoid do I need to be aware of?

Above, you’ll find what Deliveroo drives deem to be the worst areas in Dublin. Personally, I think this is a solid, unbiased insight into what are likely dangerous areas in Dublin.

What are the worst places to live in Dublin?

There are plenty of dangerous areas in Dublin that are full of lovely people. If you’re the type that goes off crime stats, see the guide above.