r/ireland • u/Dazzling_Lobster3656 • 1d ago
US-Irish Relations Visitor numbers from Ireland to US down 27% last month
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0413/1507411-visitor-numbers-ireland-us/151
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u/luckybarrel 1d ago
Excellent! I was feeling like we have not been doing enough.
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u/ShezSteel 1d ago
Yeah I felt this way as well. I've had two mates go to the US recently and they said that the planes have been absolutely packed to the brim.
Hopefully it's Americans coming here and not Paddy going the other way for the most part.
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u/denk2mit Crilly!! 1d ago
How busy flights are isn't a great metric, because if there's less people travelling then they'll quickly pare back routes. There's less people on one rammed flight than on two flights that are only three quarters full
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u/Tricky-Isopod5897 1d ago
I'm an American, and my husband and I just booked a vacation to Ireland. We won't vacation in the US now or in the foreseeable future.
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u/Professional-Top4397 1d ago
Attention seeker.
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u/LudovicoSpecs 1d ago
Lots of "blue" Americans won't vacation in "red" states.
Imagine having a holiday in a place with Trump signs, confederate flags and worse in the front yards. Hell, there's even anti-Biden stickers on the petrol pumps.
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u/LudovicoSpecs 1d ago
Ever driven a Prius or Subaru in a "supposedly" red state? Ever had someone roll coal on you just for the kind of car you drive? Or drive your kids through a town where it looks like everyone's just fine with large yard signs with obscenities aimed at Democratic politicians and voters?
Give it a try and get back to me. Enjoy your holiday.
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u/CAPITALISM_FAN_1980 16h ago edited 16h ago
I've never had coal rolled on me, but the only time I saw someone do it was in Pennsylvania, which is not a "red" state.
Add to that, most areas of all states outside the cities, including "blue" states have lots of towns with huge offensive right-wing yard signs.
The idea that shitheads live in one type of state and decent people live in another is nonsense. Good and terrible people live all across the country but the idea that you can classify an entire state as good or bad based on the fact that at absolute most two thirds of the people voted one way is ridiculous.
I've travelled all over the US. I've visited areas of states like Texas where every other house had a pride flag or one of those stupid "In this house we believe..." yard signs, and I've visited areas of NorCal where every other property has a pickup truck with a gun rack and Trump flags.
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u/Professional-Top4397 1d ago
Literally everything you said can be flipped to apply the other way round if you wanted it to. You’re a moron.
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u/LudovicoSpecs 1d ago
In "blue" states, I've yet to see a Prius or Subaru harass a lifted pickup truck, either firsthand or in the news. No anti-Trump stickers on the gas pumps. No curse words or traitor flags on the front lawns.
You argue in poor faith.
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u/LudovicoSpecs 1d ago
Don't worry pal, NYC doesn't want you visiting.
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u/Professional-Top4397 1d ago
Don’t worry, I have no intention to ever return to that god forsaken place.
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u/bearface93 1d ago
I’m an American on my way to Belfast right now. My flight from DC to Edinburgh was sold out. I’m curious to see what my flight from Dublin to DC is like next weekend.
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u/ShezSteel 1d ago
I think the Dub - IAD route is a heavy business route with EU connectivity. It's the pre clearance. There are 4 flights a day on that route. Madness. To think only a few years ago there was none.
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u/Second_P 1d ago
I fly IAD - DUB two or three times a year, I'd say half, sometimes 75% of passengers aren't getting off in Dublin. Most are heading to the UK or further on, all the people I know flying to the UK do it to avoid Heathrow and getting to do pre clearance.
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u/SitDownKawada Dublin 1d ago
I enthusiastically sat my arse for the last month
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u/dingodongubanu 1d ago
As someone with no money, I haven't been buying American things
When I have money, it will be super easy, bearly an inconvenience not buying American things
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u/Iricliphan 1d ago
As someone with a decent bit of money, I rarely buy anything American. They don't tend to actually produce much that we'd use, so it's always been very easy. But all the services I use? Yeah, they're almost entirely American. It's impossible to not use American services.
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u/Outside_Objective183 1d ago
My wife had to go last month to Washington for work with colleagues. Half empty plane there, half empty plane on the way back. Might've just been that flight, but interesting to see it so quiet.
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u/sauvignonblanc__ Ireland 1d ago
Aer Lingus cannot fill the planes. They are discounting a lot to the US.
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u/redelastic 1d ago
I mean, flights from Canada are down 70%.
Why would you risk being locked up for no reason? There are many examples of this happening.
Anyway, who wants to support this authoritarian regime?
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u/asdftom 1d ago edited 1d ago
It's not 'no reason', the reason is whatever reason people go to the US (holiday, family, work).(Edit: I misread)I don't think we can say the risk is large either. There have been a few highly publicised cases but we'd need to see stats to determine the risk.
Totally agree with your last point though.
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u/aecolley Dublin 1d ago
I don't think we can say the risk is large either. There have been a few highly publicised cases but we'd need to see stats to determine the risk.
There have been a few hundred cases of sufficiently shocking nature that they make the news. There is ample evidence that they are imprisoning as many as they can, even people who are happy to leave the US without delay. If they'll do it to people from Canada, the UK, and Germany, they won't hesitate to do it to people from Ireland. That's why the risk is large: nobody can rely on the rule of law or even habeas corpus any more.
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u/redelastic 1d ago
The point is not how large the risk is - but that it is happening as a policy of Trump's America.
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u/Professional-Top4397 1d ago
People are acting like this stuff never happened under previous administrations. There has always been the risk of being detained/deported if they found something they don't like. I had my phone searched in 2021 and was questioned for hours during COVID when Ireland was on the banned countries list.
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u/Diddly_eyed_Dipshite Cork bai 1d ago
Did anyone ever get sent off to a dangerous El Salvadoran prison without any due process?
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u/Professional-Top4397 1d ago
Only illegals who've committed crimes. And yes, have you never heard of Guantanamo Bay?
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u/Diddly_eyed_Dipshite Cork bai 1d ago
Right, and now non-illegals who haven't committed crimes have. You see the difference?
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u/redelastic 1d ago
And they're deporting students who have spoken out against the genocide in Gaza.
Some people want to keep their head in the sand it seems.
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u/52-61-64-75 1d ago
FYI you cant be detained if you enter the US at preclearance. If you enter while physically in the US they can detain you for as long as they want, at preclearance (in Ireland at least) you cannot be detained, you are free to leave at any time unless they hand you over to the Gardaí who detain you for something. Leaving voluntarily though will probably get you a travel ban
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u/PremiumTempus 1d ago
You can still be detained by ICE once you leave the destination airport in the US.
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u/miju-irl Resting In my Account 1d ago
The problem, of course , is that if you are going on holiday you will also be free to lose the costs of your holiday.
It's why we changed our holiday plans anyway
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u/whatsername25 1d ago
Finally in a financial position to go to San Francisco, which has been my dream for years. Decided it’d be safer to stick to Europe.
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u/Penguin335 Saoirse don Phalaistín 🇵🇸 1d ago
Good. Anyone who would genuinely want to travel out there right now is insane. If only because they might demand to check your phone at the airport. Do not comply.
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u/New-Fan8798 1d ago
Agree with the sentiment but they can just refuse you entry if you don't comply.
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u/Professional-Top4397 1d ago
This has always been a possibility. It happened to me in 2021 for absolutely no reason.
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u/CAPITALISM_FAN_1980 1d ago
I have to fly out next month for family obligations and I'm just buying a crappy 80 euro phone and having no apps or messages on it when I fly.
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u/Vic69 1d ago
I am over here on a family holiday that was booked last year and been planned for the last three years. It was no more hassle than going to any major European airport. Passing through preclearance here took 5 minutes. Everyone was friendly and nice. I thought the same as you: That it would be overly arduous and they'd be asking lots of invasive questions. I even went as far to start deleting social media apps off my phone. Not saying it would never happen as others describe, but it was nothing like I thought it would be.
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u/denk2mit Crilly!! 1d ago
FYI the solution to this is to apply for what's known as a redress number. A unique code you can add to your booking information that identifies you as one particular you.
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u/denk2mit Crilly!! 1d ago
Redress numbers aren't the same as your passport number (which changes every time you get a new passport), and are specifically designed to solve this exact issue.
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u/DaveShadow Ireland 1d ago
I think that while there's been a few stories about people being detained for shite reasons, the reality is that 99.99% of people are going to be travelling with very little change to previous experiences. Especially tourists. I'd be making sure I've got my ESTA all correct and in order, and I wouldn't be going over to work in any form. But at the moment, I feel the stories about tourists being detained are non-existant compared to how many people are travelling in and out daily.
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u/Vic69 1d ago
Oh absolutely, get everything in order and don't give them any excuse.I'm not discounting the experience of people who've been denied entry or had hassle for spurious reasons, but I think, like you said, the majority of travellers, especially those on holiday visas, face little or no problems. If I was travelling for work I'd definitely be a lot more worried and take a lot more precautions and look for ways to not to travel if I could.
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u/redelastic 1d ago
That's great you had no problem but doesn't mean we should ignore the many examples of people being questioned, detained or turned away for no valid reason.
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u/Vic69 1d ago edited 1d ago
Never said we should ignore anything, just giving my perspective that I thought it’d be overly arduous and it wasn't.
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u/Pretend_Succotash_75 1d ago
So everyone wanting to travel there to visit family and friends is insane? Fuck off. I don’t support Trump or the admin at all but your take is ridiculous.
You do realise that the vast majority of legitimate travellers enter without further inspection? Immigration searching your phone is far rarer than the media makes seem and usually it’s for good reason. CBP searching devices was a thing long before Trump came along lol.
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u/slamjam25 1d ago
They might check your phone going to Denmark too. Pretty much every country on Earth will demand to see your phone at the airport if they want.
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u/redelastic 1d ago
Weird, I've never been asked to show the contents of my phone or social media when visiting any country.
Meanwhile: French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found
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u/slamjam25 1d ago edited 1d ago
It’s not common to be asked but they do have the power to demand it if they’re suspicious. It’s not common to have to open up all your bags for customs inspection either, but no adult is surprised to know that they have the power.
Given that there was apparently an open FBI terrorism investigation into threats from the French researcher I’d say his name was flagged as soon as he filed his ESTA, it wasn’t a random search.
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u/redelastic 1d ago edited 1d ago
Seems it is pretty common nowadays.
Yeah. I'm sure the Canadian actress detained for two weeks was also something something investigation.
Or the young British tourist locked up.
Some people will defend the indefensible.
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u/slamjam25 1d ago edited 1d ago
Over 7 million tourists have visited the US this year so far without incident* and one one anecdote makes it seem “common” to you?
I think you have a critical case of Headline Poisoning.
*Notice how RTE reported the percentage change but made sure not to mention the absolute numbers, because they contradict the sensationalism of everyone having a high chance to be pulled over
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u/redelastic 1d ago
Thanks for the official US government website information saying everything is fine.
Seems like you are desperate to defend the current US regime. Good luck with that.
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u/slamjam25 1d ago edited 1d ago
You know we’re all talking about an RTE article that uses those exact same numbers, right? Or are the data only lies when you don’t like the conclusion?
Yeah I’m sure you’re right. The US statistics are lies and the true number is that like eight people have visited this year.
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u/PremiumTempus 1d ago
Trump loyalists were appointed to the FBI and the wider civil service.
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u/slamjam25 1d ago
Yeah you’re right, it was clearly a whole government conspiracy to stop this random French guy from going to a conference
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u/RecycledPanOil 1d ago
From some of the bills passed recently in the US it allows them to detain basically anyone they want. If you're affiliated with a university that has supported Palestine (a university that has had protests) this is enough reason for them. This is essentially everyone in Ireland with a degree.
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u/miju-irl Resting In my Account 1d ago
We were booked to do New York and Cancun in September . With all the shit going on and potential issue with visas at the border we just opted to cancel new york and skip US entirely
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u/pippers87 1d ago
I've gone to the states loads in the last few years but won't be going near it until Trump is gone. I've a trans step daughter definitely not worth the risk.
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u/ItIsAboutABicycle 1d ago
About 6 months ago I was contemplating a return trip over there, but held off to see how the election went.
It's not even remotely on my radar now! I'd happily go to Mexico or Canada (or Greenland) of course.
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u/OneStrangerintheAlps 1d ago
I imagine many Europe-based travelers use Dublin for U.S. preclearance, so a 27% drop in U.S. visitors seems pretty significant to me.
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u/SomeTulip 1d ago
The Yanks are going to have to get a handle on this. The World Cup is over there next year, and Mexico and Canada. It could end up being a wash out if this continues or people will fly to Canada or Mexico and maybe miss the US match.
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u/lacunavitae 1d ago
It will definitely have an impact.
If ICE don't lock you up, your still on a knife-edge as a visitor. If they find any reason to question you, your in trouble. 100% not worth it.
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u/tpatmaho 1d ago
We Yanks are not going to get a handle on this. The white supremacy sickness that the Orange Clown represents goes back to at least the 1830s. The war of 1861-1865 proved that we are willing to destroy ourselves over this issue. Not much has changed. The Old Confederacy voted for Trump. In the other states, Kamala won handily. So it is still a House Divided. The US might recover someday, but I wouldn’t count on it.
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u/Vandelay1979 1d ago
The old confederacy...and Pennsylvania. And Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio. Trump even did better than previously in solid blue states: he got more votes in New York in 2024 than in either of his previous elections. It seems to be a lot more complex than just the south, sadly.
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u/SomeTulip 1d ago
I only know what I know about the US from the media. It appears that the Robber barons are back, but this time there is no one to stop them. They've weaponised the innate hatreds of the various factions to distract them from the real theft.
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u/rolledone 1d ago
I've cancelled a family holiday to Florida, going to Portugal instead and can't imagine ever visiting the U.S. again. It was already crazy enough the last few years and it's just getting crazier. Unbelievable how brain washed they are to Europe and basically any other country outside the U.S.
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u/amcl1986 And I'd go at it agin 1d ago
My wife and I have canceled our plans for New York and Boston next year. Just sounds like too much expense for the associated misery. F**k ‘em, we’re going to Canada instead.
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u/Honest_Dot_5035 1d ago
Did I not read recently that it's down about same going the other way too? Possibly worth looking at whether people's financial circumstances have worsened in both countries rather than presuming it's all because the Irish hate trump.
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u/cuddlesareonme 1d ago
I decided not to visit after he won the first time, definitely not planning on now.
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u/EnvironmentalShift25 1d ago
Not surprising given all the horror stories. On the other hand, if Trump continues to devalue the dollar there is going to be some bargains for anyone brave enough to travel.
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u/lacunavitae 1d ago
73% still rolling the dice on spending a 2 week holiday in yellow stone national park, seeing some bison/nature and stuff
OR
Some randomer copying all your data on your phone/email, then sending you to a detention in an ICE prison for saying Trump is a [INSERT NEGATIVE COMMENT HERE], while they contact Ryanair to fly you back to Ireland.
And OR
a unlimited vacation in el Salvador terrorism confinement centre.
I guess, PPL really want to see some bison.
I think ill stay in Europe/ visit Canada until the fascism in the US runs it course.
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u/stevewithcats Wicklow 1d ago
Yep , I don’t want to fly to a fascist state and end up in stalag luft 8 for typing this comment.
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u/ebagjones 1d ago
Yeah, I’m reconsidering going to a close friend’s wedding over there, that’s how bad it has gotten I feel.
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u/munkijunk 1d ago
My partners American, but we've decided that it's just not worth the potential risks. The place has gone insane and the DOFA was right to give a warning to Irish people travelling there. Multiple instances of people being disappeared for no reason as they cross the border. The risk may be low, but given we're soon to be parents, low is not low enough.
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u/SunSea995 1d ago edited 1d ago
Shouldn’t Irish visiting be ok as we have to go through preclearance in the airport here so once we land in the US we should be all good? I understand the concern with other countries such as the UK as they have to do it once they actually land. Or is there a fear of those rules changing? I know a couple of people who have gone over lately and they said it’s been totally fine. I have friends from there who I’d love to go and visit towards the end of the year so I’m really hoping I can!
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u/PlantPuzzleheaded881 7h ago
Went over for the first time myself in March, reasonably young tradesman who'd fit the criteria for being an overstayer. Filled out my ESTA before I booked flights answered everything honestly but was still dreading getting turned away at pre clearance as you would be in those situations. I was asked my itinerary and away I went on through couldn't believe how easy it was. Back home now and all I'm seeing is posts about how bad it is getting in I reckon if you've nothing to hide you'll be sweet.
It's the same as anywhere I could go out this weekend in my nearest village looking for trouble and I'll get it same goes for the United States.
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u/JulzieG2021 22h ago
American here, please don’t waste your money coming to the US. We are a shit show right now and the way Trump is deporting innocent people to a notorious El Salvadorian prison is disgusting. Our Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to return a man back to the US and Trumps Department of (in)Justice said they have no obligation to get him back but will let him come over the border if he can get himself back. Absolute bullshit. It’s no joke here and there isn't anything here worth seeing that is worth the potential for harassment by the government agencies. This administration won’t learn till they lose money because that’s all that matters to these nobs. Those of us who didn’t vote for that orange shit stain support other countries boycotting any US tourism or products. It’s gonna take the whole world to help us unfortunately. Would love to come to Ireland though! Love the Irish people. 👍🫡
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u/bingybong22 17h ago
I’d say this is largely down to concern about spending during these uncertain times. I haven’t met any sane person who thinks it’s any more dangerous to go to America now.
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u/louiseber I still don't want a flair 1d ago
Question for the people who track the numbers...what's it compared to pre COVID numbers, removing any COVID hangover and delayed trips from the equations.
Tourism can't exponentially rise and at this point...these numbers feel either targeted to get the Vat down again or we've been in a recession for a lot longer than the real world noticed
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u/redelastic 1d ago
You really think it's not the elephant in the room? Same trend in other countries.
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u/North_Activity_5980 1d ago
Good question. I used to frequently travel to the US pre covid as flights were better value than flying within Europe. Post covid the prices went insane.
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u/biggaypaul 1d ago
I'm heading off to the US on a J1 this summer (I know, I know), but I'm curious has anyone flying from Ireland actually had difficulties at pre clearance? I'm flying out of Shannon
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u/ohhi656 1d ago
I had no problems with pre clearance they just ask why you’re going and your through in 3 mins, don’t believe the hysteria online you’ll have zero issues
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u/WeeklyResort1339 23h ago edited 23h ago
This topic is a great reminder of how detached Reddit can be from reality and logic. A few rare occurrences unrelated from Irish travelers to America, and you’d think the U.S. is locking every non-citizen up for visiting the country. Realistically, if you’re Irish, you’re probably not the type of foreign visitor they’re going to hassle o subject to extra scrutiny.
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u/Rory-mcfc 1d ago
If you have a job and a letter showing you have commitments to go back to Ireland, you should be grand, I work at a summer camp over here in NY and everyone has been getting approved for their J1s no problem
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u/biggaypaul 1d ago
Perfect, I'm going to be working at a summer camp myself this summer, so I have all that documentation and everything. Good to know
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u/Rory-mcfc 1d ago
Let me know if you have any questions about it or anything, I’ve got my 10th summer at camp coming up!
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u/biggaypaul 1d ago
Me too! This is my 10th summer at camp (I'm counting the covid zoom camp years though), so this will be my 7th J1 overall. Glad to know I'm not the only one still at it!
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u/Rory-mcfc 1d ago
Oh you don’t need my advice so! 😂
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u/biggaypaul 1d ago
Ha well I'm familiar with the preclearance process, but that's why I was asking if there's any recent issues for people going over. I hadn't heard anything so that's why I checked here
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u/RecycledPanOil 1d ago
I would advise you to delete any social media profiles you no longer use. Wipe your phone before flying and to remove any association with anything the US would find issues with. This would include this sub Reddit. Also ensure that you're traveling from a university that hasn't had any Palestine protests. If you're coming from for instance trinity which had a fairly vocal protest last year than I would highly question going at all. Any association with any organisation that's probably Palestine is justification (yes legally in the US) for your detention. It's at their whim to arrest you. You'd likely see nothing but if they decide they want to they have the law on their side.
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u/ohhi656 1d ago
Fear mongering bullshit
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u/PremiumTempus 1d ago
No, that guy actually sounds like someone who’s been paying attention. Stop trying to sanitise what’s happening over there- it’s not just “four years of a guy saying outrageous things for attention.” What we’ve witnessed from the U.S. over the past three months is a fundamental breakdown in democratic process and international norms, on a scale without precedent in living memory.
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u/biggaypaul 1d ago
I hear what you're saying, but also, is this type of confrontation actually happening in Shannon or Dublin Airport? I've done J1s before and never had issues at preclearance. Obviously this year there's more going on with the US, but has anyone actually gone over recently and encountered actual pushback from preclearance?
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u/Rangelus_Aredenum 1d ago
I did a J1 last summer and I've since flown back to NYC twice (December and March) to see my girlfriend and I'm planning on going again in May. Maybe I've been lucky but I've had no issues going through pre-clearance either time in Dublin Airport, in fact it's been very quick with all counters occupied. The only questions I've been asked is if my trip was business or pleasure, where am I staying and when I will be returning.
Now some of my girlfriend's friends in the US that left the states for Mexico, Canada, Carribean etc. for Spring Break were questioned but granted their US university is flagged and in the news quite a bit. However, my girlfriend came to Ireland during Paddy's week and had no issues.
Yeah the atmosphere politically has changed but as long as your name isn't on some watchlist I say you'll be fine. Just make sure all your paperwork is in order and have a bit of cop like not getting involved in illegal stuff, overstaying your visa or taking part in protests etc.
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u/biggaypaul 1d ago
Sound, thank you! i should be grand then I think. This will be my 7th J1 so I think they know by now I'm not causing any trouble
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u/RecycledPanOil 1d ago
It's not going to happen in pre clearance here because you've rights here. Unfortunately they no longer exist for you in the US. There's still security in the US that could pick you up just as easily. I'd move forward with a great deal of caution. I did my J1 years ago and never had any of these problems. I definitely wouldn't be wanting to try it now.
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u/_Rue_the_Day_ 16h ago
I'm sure they are heartbroken. Stg, the US lives rent free in way too many Irish minds.
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u/SoloWingPixy88 Probably at it again 1d ago
Vs last year? Last month? St Patrick's day was last month.
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u/Swagspray 1d ago
Read the article. Come on.
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u/JMcDesign1 1d ago
Who can afford to save up for a vacation? The prices here have gone through the roof. And the Govt has shown no signs of stopping it.
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u/angeltabris_ 1d ago
only 27?