Is it okay to use ATMs late in the evening in Ireland or should I stick to daytime withdrawals only? I am a single woman travelling so want to be safe.
I spent a month in Cork and often withdrew money at night - Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB ATMs were reliable. The city feels very secure, even after 11 PM. Just steer clear of pub-adjacent machines late on weekends - not unsafe, but chaotic. For day-to-day use, Ireland is one of the safer countries for nighttime banking.
While on a road trip through rural Kerry, I noticed that smaller towns often don’t have 24/7 ATMs. I used one outside a Centra shop at 8 PM, but the village was already quiet. Not unsafe, just empty. If you're planning to withdraw money after dark in Ireland, do it in city centers. In rural areas, it’s better to stock up during the day.
In Galway, I withdrew cash from a Bank of Ireland ATM after 10 PM near Eyre Square. Still lively with music and street life. Ireland is great for solo travelers, and I had zero worries using bank ATMs at night. Just watch out for party-goers if it’s the weekend - I always used machines near hotels or convenience stores.
Dublin felt totally safe. I used an AIB ATM near Grafton Street at midnight with no issues - people were still out, plenty of lighting. ATM safety at night in Ireland is generally not a problem, especially in urban centers. That said, avoid isolated machines in quiet areas like parks or suburbs.