Irish Republic/Northern Ireland border question?

Question

Are there border checks on this border? I, (U.S. citizen) am traveling with a friend (Indian citizen) to Dublin and I'd like to go into Northern Ireland since I have old family from just over the border. My friend is getting a visa to Ireland but doesn't want to get a visa for U.K. and worries that she'll be caught there without one if we venture north. A friend who is Mexican went last year and says there is no checking of passports or visas and he traveled freely.

Also, my friend says it's still dangerous there while I have the impression that the situation has calmed down in recent years.

Thanx.

Answer 1

I am from Donegal Ireland, a border county, and while in the '70s and'80s the border was patroled by police and military, this is no longer true, also I believe you can travel to the British mainland with a photo I.D. such as a passport. If you would like to do that just go to Dun Leary and hop on a ferry the worst that can happen is that they tell you "you cant go" it's not like you"ll get arrested.

Answer 2

both of you have all of the possible documents that you need.You should not be checked but just in case.Go forth and have a good time

Answer 3

You will be fine.  My husband is from Donegal(right on the border), we visit our family every year.  we bring our children & I never have any worries.  Everything is fine.  I live in Chicago, I am sure you live near a big city too.  Well there are problems in any big city.  I wouldnt walk around late at night in Chicago, & I wouldn't in Ireland either.  It is a lovely country, you will enjoy yourselves.  No worries.

Answer 4

There are no border checks as such and travel is free between north and south and vis-versa. Though the situation is definately more settled there than it was and the peace process has kept the paramilitaries quiet, there is a culture in the north that is more ingrained through years of violence. Saying that, it should be  safe to visit as a US citizen. Northern Ireland people are trying to make visitors more welcome and to make their stay a lot more pleasant.

Answer 5

I live quite close to the Tyrone/Monaghan border and there are no border checks, infact, you can pass from the north to the south (and vice versa) without any border stops.

The troubles are thankfully a thing of the past, Northern Ireland is now a very safe place to travel through. If you come to the North, check out the Giant's Causeway, Co Antrim; the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co Tyrone; you can do an open top bus tour of Belfast city that takes you through the history of the troubles; a show in The Grand Opera House Belfast is well worth a go, maybe enquire before you come!

Good luck with your trip!

Answer 6

I'm an American studying in the Republic and myself and 3 american friends were fine, we took a bus and it didn't even stop at the border, it's pretty open. We walked all around the spots in Belfast and Derry that used to be the sites of lots of violence and now there mainly tourist draws. We found the people there some of the friendliest and most helpful on the whole Island!

Answer 7

I have friends who live in Northern Ireland.  When I visited them two years ago, I felt very safe (they are in Londonderry, ).  It's true that just a short while ago there was a lot of violence...my friends have told me some scary/crazy stories...but now it is a lot safer.  I would just offer some advice that I would give to anyone traveling to any foreign destination is to be aware of your surroundings.  If you avoid unsafe situations like wandering around at 3am by yourself, then you should be fine.  Have fun in Ireland!  It is gorgeous.  If you have time, I'd recommend visiting Giant's Causeway.  It was simply amazing.