Is it legal to carry a knife in Ireland?

[razorback2003]

Yes, the crime problem with the US is the large urban metro areas. Once you get into the country/rural areas you are usually pretty safe. People know everyone and look after each other. Crime is pretty low. Big cities in the US have most of the gang and drug dealing. Not to say that no violent crime happens in rural areas of say Missouri, but it is rare when you compare it to Saint Louis or New Orleans.

 

[Jim NE]

Seriously you won't need a knife for defense here. Its not a violent country unless you're involved with some dubious individuals.

That's exactly what I was going to say, based on my limited experience of Ireland. Most Americans associate the biggest cities with crime. In my brief time in Dublin, Ireland's biggest city, I never once felt uncomfortable wandering around alone for hours. The "troubles" in Northern Ireland seem to be over, mostly, and carrying a knife wouldn't protect you against that, anyway. If you did venture into Ulster (and you should...it's BEAUTIFUL!) you might want to stay away from certain parts of Belfast.

If it were me, I'd leave weapons and worries at home and enjoy myself in a great country. Have a good trip.

 

[Fitzdenis]

Sorry, I made a typing error: Dublin has just over 1 million inhabitants and the total population is just over 4 million. So pro rata our bad areas are considerably smaller than those in larger countries and more easily avoided.
Ulster is beautiful and well worth visiting. I attend reenactment events there and have had no problems whatsoever but there are areas there I would avoid just like the Ulster people do as well.
Yes, just like the US country folk here are much easier going and there is considerably less crime in rural areas.
Owen Sparks: walking canes are legal. Just don't use one of them ones with a sword inside it!!!
Have fun and drink plenty of Guinness as it keeps the damp out....

Frank

 

[Steve H]

If you were traveling abroad would you carry a pocket knife with you?

I don't know if this would be considered traveling abroad but a couple of months ago I did travel to Southern California to see my grand daughters. Keep in mind I have ALWAYS carried some sort of pocket knife my entire adult life. One day we went to a live TV show. We had to go thru metal detectors on the way in..........I was busted for carrying my 1/ 1/2" single blade knife. I had a choice of throwing it away or walking 1 1/2 miles back to the car and leaving it there. I turned around like I was going to the car and found a bush I stashed it in. After the show was over it was still in the bush!!!!!!!

 

[9mmforMe]

I'm not leaving on the trip for a year still, but wanted to be prepared. I have only been out of the country to Mexico (years ago) and Canada (more recently) so I'm not by any means a worldly traveler. Not sure what part of Ireland we will be staying in but thanks again to the natives and knowledgeable folks who have posted, makes me feel a little more comfortable.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Are walking cains still legal in Ireland? A 3 foot stick is far superior to a 3 inch knife in most cases.

According to our experts on the Non Firearms Board Canes or Walking sticks are still legal every where along with a Zebra or Cross Metal inkpen.

 

[hirundo82]

Most I'll carry in a foreign country is a Swiss Army Knife. Even the blade on a Leatherman could be problematic some places since it locks (some countries don't like safety devices on sharp things for some reason).

I'll also carry a good sturdy flashlight (Surefire Z2), which is probably more useful for defense than the SAK, and can even be carried on the plane.

The laws for self defense objects in even the worst areas of the US are superior to most foreign countries--AFAIK no state has issues with carrying pepper spray, but it's considered on par legally with carrying a gun in the UK.

 

[Owen Sparks]

If pepper spray is illegal what about Tobasco Sauce? They have the same active ingrediant. What if you bought a small pump sprayer and filled it with hot sauce?
I once got a trace of Daves Insanity sauce in my eye and it shut me down!

Just wondering.

 

[hso]

While I'm a knife collector and train with knives I consider them to be far inferior to a sturdy stick for self defense use. Considering that you can easily find umbrella canes that serve as real walking canes you might have a ready excuse for carrying such an implement. No need to drop $200 on an Unbreakable Umbrella (as my lovely wife did for me). http://www.walking-canes.net/caneumbrellas.aspx http://www.haas-jordan.com/UI/Specialty-Items-.aspx?ptype=3&mcid=111&pcid=111&ccid=111&pid=13

As reasonable members have suggested, just find out ahead of time what the bad areas are and avoid them, maintain a normal level of situational awareness as you go about your visit, carry a pocketable handy ultrabright flashlight that makes a handy fist load/impact tool and toss in a cane/umbrella and you should be able to handle any problems without running afoul of the Garda.

 

[9mmforMe]

Thanks hso...sounds like good advice.

 

[9mmforMe]

That unbreakable umbrella is amazing, hso...the video is quite impressive. That just might be the answer to my needs.