A recently published tourism article on the CNN website has given some controversial advice for tourists travelling to Dublin. Eva Sandoval felt it was necessary to warn American tourists of the dangers of fitting in. “I wrote 10 things not to do in Dublin because you need to know what to avoid when going there. There is a lot.”

The travel writer accompanied the 10 things to avoid with alternatives to the more dangerous options. She said it was a mixture of turning the locals against you, and not being able to “keep up.” She said, “there are a few things that could get you shot, like calling them British, Jesus they don‘t like that. But there‘s also some things that locals do that tourists just couldn‘t manage.”

“I encouraged them all to make friends with randomers too,” said Eva. “It‘s to keep the party going after the pubs close. I‘m sure it‘s not dangerous, all Irish are friendly, why would it be sketchy to go to a drunken strangers house in the middle of the night?”

In response, Sean Murphy, an angry Dubliner, wrote to CNN to complain about the list. “It’s bollox, sure. She‘s telling everyone all kinds of shit. Like don‘t go to Coppers. I got the shift off loads of birds there, it‘s bloody savage. And no one should ever go on that Viking tour, if one more randomer shouts ‘aarrrgh’ from that stupid boat on wheels, I‘ll be cuttin’ the bleedin’ brakes.”

Sean also complained in an articulate and formal manner about the alternatives she suggests. “She says everyone should go to the west coast and to Irish stand-up comedy. First of all, none of them tourists would get Irish comedy and second of all, what the fuck is on the west coast?"

By Jenny Darmody