Ireland: A tourist destination that can stop traffic

With space for outdoor dining and more created by the recent pedestrianisation of Irish streets, Shauna McHugh examines how traffic-free spots can benefit a staycation

Traffic-free spots like Venice can provide huge benefits for visitors and locals alike — could Ireland soon take a page from the Italians’ book?

When we think of places like Dubrovnik’s Old Town, New York’s Fire Island and even the Italian haven of Venice, there are plenty of things that come to mind; stunning coastlines, world-class food and drink and balmy summer evenings spent taking it all in, to name just a few.

There’s also something noticeably absent when we think of all these dreamy destinations, however. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to visit them, you’ll probably still remember the blissful feel of sun on your skin, the tranquil sound of waves lapping at your feet and the ever-permeable scent of Factor 50. What you won’t remember, though, is the background noise of engines revving, of horns beeping, or a cacophony of colourful language being shouted from car windows as road rage meets rush hour.