Dominick Street Safe?

TMG94

Hi! I'm not 100% sure this is the right place to post this so I apologise if I've made a mistake. I have a question about the safety of Dominick Street. I have potential accommodation which is practically centred in the middle of the Róisín Dubh, the casino and Monroes (I think it's called.) I'll have to make the walk from the flat to college and back everyday so I was wondering if it's a safe area to be out in.

I expect there to be a lot of noise, but when I viewed the flat I also noticed a large amount of graffiti on a lot of the walls outside and the windows on the bottom floors had shutters as if they had been broken before and the owner implemented them to prevent it happening again.

I'm going in to first year so I'm pretty much a "noob" at the whole looking for accommodation thing. Please give me your opinion on what the area is like. Thanks for your time.

joeKel73

Yeah I'd say it's a safe area but will be noisy until late as the Roisin Dubh opens until 2am every night. I know a few people who moved out of apartments just above the street because of the noise.

Diabhal Beag

I've had a few friends who lived down that end and they had no complaints safety-wise. They'd all be heading to and from NUIG everyday. I know I crashed there a few nights and had no issues with the noise but if you are a gentle sleeper it won't be a good spot.

inisboffin

It's also quite 'messy' there with drunk people peeing in doorways, up lanes etc. It would depend how far in the apartment is. I wouldn't be worried about theft/vandalism so much as 'drunken' vandalism and such on my doorstep.

thesandeman

Yeah. Safe but noisy. Although if you are coming from college when it's dark in the winter it might be best to avoid the 'direct route' via the Canal if you are on your own. A few idiots hang around up that way.

Mrs OBumble

It's as safe as anywhere. Just keep your wits about you, and don't go looking for trouble.

As well as the drunken noise at night, there are vacuum cleaners that clean the streets in the morning. Don't know what time they do Dominic St ... probably between 5 and 7 though.

Welcome to Galway.

Paddyfield

Safety would not be a concern. But as others have mentioned, noise must be a major issue as I am a contributor to aforementioned noise, most often in or around 2.30am on a Sunday morning.

simongurnick

First year in college and you are steps from some of the best pubs in Galway!

fishy fishy

very safe - probably safer than town. as for pee'ing in doorways, I have yet to see this in dominic street -now the latin quarter during debs and race week is where you need to watch where you walk due to pee.

it can be a bit noisy at nighttime during weekends - its the alternative place to go if you are not into the quay street vibe.

TMG94

simongurnick wrote: »

First year in college and you are steps from some of the best pubs in Galway!

Never so much as a drop of alcohol hath passed betwixt my lips good sir

Thanks to all who replied. I've a good idea what it's like now and I managed to get the flat for a "trial-run" type deal for the next few days so I can experience it for myself. I'm the studious type and I'm not in to going out or drinking at all. Not sociable either, prefer my own company so I'd be in the flat a lot. That's why noise is a bit of a concern for me, but I'll get used to it.

Thanks again for your time everyone.

Wompa1

TMG94 wrote: »

Never so much as a drop of alcohol hath passed betwixt my lips good sir

Thanks to all who replied. I've a good idea what it's like now and I managed to get the flat for a "trial-run" type deal for the next few days so I can experience it for myself. I'm the studious type and I'm not in to going out or drinking at all. Not sociable either, prefer my own company so I'd be in the flat a lot. That's why noise is a bit of a concern for me, but I'll get used to it.

Thanks again for your time everyone.

Might be a bad time for a trial run. Considering it may be a bit more quiet now due to the festival season hangover. If you are studious and not a drinker, I would go somewhere else. Have you considered somewhere on St. Marys Road, Raleigh Row? just off Dominick Street with none of the noise. Also a more direct route to the college.

Squeeonline

I live just around the corner. It's a very safe area. Bouncers etc outside until late.

Noisy though as others have said.

I'd look elsewhere, but nearby. Your trail run is not at all realistic for when students are occupying those apartments.

TMG94

Wompa1 wrote: »

Might be a bad time for a trial run. Considering it may be a bit more quiet now due to the festival season hangover. If you are studious and not a drinker, I would go somewhere else. Have you considered somewhere on St. Marys Road, Raleigh Row? just off Dominick Street with none of the noise. Also a more direct route to the college.

Oh right I didn't realise that. I'll might keep looking then I suppose. I would have looked closer to the college anyway but this flat is owned by a family friend so it's much cheaper than the going rate for a flat of it's quality. It's also never been rented out before. It's in pretty much perfect quality so that's why I was considering trading quiet-time for it.

TMG94

Squeeonline wrote: »

I live just around the corner. It's a very safe area. Bouncers etc outside until late.

Noisy though as others have said.

I'd look elsewhere, but nearby. Your trail run is not at all realistic for when students are occupying those apartments.

It's not one of the conventional apartments that is rented to students. This one has never been rented before. But regardless, it is very close to the Roisin Dubh and Monroes....I might have to look elsewhere after all. Thanks for the reply

Wompa1

TMG94 wrote: »

Oh right I didn't realise that. I'll might keep looking then I suppose. I would have looked closer to the college anyway but this flat is owned by a family friend so it's much cheaper than the going rate for a flat of it's quality. It's also never been rented out before. It's in pretty much perfect quality so that's why I was considering trading quiet-time for it.

Well then, how much is the quiet worth to you? Maybe try it for the first semmester. From what I read over the last couple of years, it's competitive to get apartments. Not sure if that's still the case.

I could stick on a tv or some white noise and go to sleep, so the noise might not bother me as much as it might for others. I guess figure out your threshold. You could try it on Friday and Saturday night and see what it's like and expect it to be a bit worse than that going forward. It would be a shame to give up a cheap and new apartment in such a great location. It is a fun area with everything you could want near by.

Grocery store, fast food places, Spanish Arch, park etc.

TMG94

Wompa1 wrote: »

Well then, how much is the quiet worth to you? Maybe try it for the first semmester. From what I read over the last couple of years, it's competitive to get apartments. Not sure if that's still the case.

I could stick on a tv or some white noise and go to sleep, so the noise might not bother me as much as it might for others. I guess figure out your threshold. You could try it on Friday and Saturday night and see what it's like and expect it to be a bit worse than that going forward. It would be a shame to give up a cheap and new apartment in such a great location. It is a fun area with everything you could want near by.

Grocery store, fast food places, Spanish Arch, park etc.

I honestly can't say how much it'd bother me. I've lived in the country all my life. On the few times I've been on holiday in the city the noise hasn't bothered me at all but I don't think that makes for an accurate judgement. I'll try it out and see.

If I'm totally honest. It was more the drunk folk and perhaps the youths that worried me most. I'm far to over-sensitive to a situation I perceive to be threatening. I used to get picked on a lot you see so now even walking past a group of young people makes me tense. The comment above about "idiots" hanging around the canal in the darker evenings in winter got me a little nervous. It's really silly but that's just how I am now. I'll get over it with the high exposure I'm sure college will hurl at me. But everyone here seems to unanimously agree that it's pretty safe, so that makes me feel better. I think I can deal with the noise. I'm big in to gaming so the headphones should cancel out the noise. I just wonder what things will be like come exam times, but then again there's always the library.

I don't think I should let an opportunity like this slip by, though once I get a month in to the term and if it does turn out not to be for me, I assume all other places will be taken.

I'm probably making far too big of a fuss about nothing. I feel as though most people would simply move in and get on with it. I should do that...

Wompa1

TMG94 wrote: »

I honestly can't say how much it'd bother me. I've lived in the country all my life. On the few times I've been on holiday in the city the noise hasn't bothered me at all but I don't think that makes for an accurate judgement. I'll try it out and see.

If I'm totally honest. It was more the drunk folk and perhaps the youths that worried me most. I'm far to over-sensitive to a situation I perceive to be threatening. I used to get picked on a lot you see so now even walking past a group of young people makes me tense. The comment above about "idiots" hanging around the canal in the darker evenings in winter got me a little nervous. It's really silly but that's just how I am now. I'll get over it with the high exposure I'm sure college will hurl at me. But everyone here seems to unanimously agree that it's pretty safe, so that makes me feel better. I think I can deal with the noise. I'm big in to gaming so the headphones should cancel out the noise. I just wonder what things will be like come exam times, but then again there's always the library.

I don't think I should let an opportunity like this slip by, though once I get a month in to the term and if it does turn out not to be for me, I assume all other places will be taken.

I'm probably making far too big of a fuss about nothing. I feel as though most people would simply move in and get on with it. I should do that...

You poor fecker, sorry to hear that. Don't worry about it. Around exam time it should be quiet enough, most of the noise during the week is created by the students so they'll be doing exams themselves. You'd probably find another place around the mid year. But it could be tough a month in.

For your own peace, if you move anywhere in the city. Walk with others whenever you can. If you can't, try to walk in the most crowded places. There'd be a lot of students walking around that area at all times, so you should be grand.

There's a few bad apples around the city. A lad got beat up across from the SuperValu last year. I use to walk home from work from Headford Road to Raleigh Row, most Friday nights there was a group of a-holes down there looking to start something. If you leave your headphones on and don't react you'll be fine. Galway is a great city, I miss it every day. You'll have a great year, don't worry about it at all. If you've got Xbox Live. PM me your gamertag if you want, I'll give you a game some night

TMG94

Wompa1 wrote: »

You poor fecker, sorry to hear that. Don't worry about it. Around exam time it should be quiet enough, most of the noise during the week is created by the students so they'll be doing exams themselves. You'd probably find another place around the mid year. But it could be tough a month in.

For your own peace, if you move anywhere in the city. Walk with others whenever you can. If you can't, try to walk in the most crowded places. There'd be a lot of students walking around that area at all times, so you should be grand.

There's a few bad apples around the city. A lad got beat up across from the SuperValu last year. I use to walk home from work from Headford Road to Raleigh Row, most Friday nights there was a group of a-holes down there looking to start something. If you leave your headphones on and don't react you'll be fine. Galway is a great city, I miss it every day. You'll have a great year, don't worry about it at all. If you've got Xbox Live. PM me your gamertag if you want, I'll give you a game some night

Ah it's alright, I don't know anyone down here so it's a new start for me. Thanks for the advice and reassurance. It is genuinely appreciated. I've heard Galway is one of the safest cities around so I think I'd be unlucky to encounter any problems. Could I ask your opinion on places where the I am obliged to find tenants and keep the house filled? For example: I found a very nice looking place on Ardilaun Road but it's one of those types that is rented as a unit. So if the other person moves out I pick up all the rent. Do you think those are dodgy or is it safe enough? Bearing in mind I know no-one so I can't say if my house-mate will be reliable or not.

My platforms are PC and PS3. I don't own an Xbox but thanks very much for offering to game with me.

fishy fishy

hi tmg

I say give it a try over a weekend and you will find out how noisy it is - it won't get much noisier when the students are there. Basically Dominick Street and that area is very much a more local area - the pubs are a lot more authentic than the quay street madness. Monroes would probably be the busiest pub there - it is completely safe. Is your apartment right on the street or is it back behind other buildings. I would definitely advise you give it a try for a weekend. Also the comment about the idiots around the canals - don't let that bother you - you don't have to walk along the canals if you live in Dominic Street - and remember you get idiots everywhere.

Galway is very very safe and I would say you will have less hassle if any around the Dominick street area than you will in the town proper. the location is fantastic so give it a go before you decide not to stay there.

TMG94

fishy fishy wrote: »

hi tmg

I say give it a try over a weekend and you will find out how noisy it is - it won't get much noisier when the students are there. Basically Dominick Street and that area is very much a more local area - the pubs are a lot more authentic than the quay street madness. Monroes would probably be the busiest pub there - it is completely safe. Is your apartment right on the street or is it back behind other buildings. I would definitely advise you give it a try for a weekend. Also the comment about the idiots around the canals - don't let that bother you - you don't have to walk along the canals if you live in Dominic Street - and remember you get idiots everywhere.

Galway is very very safe and I would say you will have less hassle if any around the Dominick street area than you will in the town proper. the location is fantastic so give it a go before you decide not to stay there.

My apartment is almost directly above Monroes (above and slightly over, don't want to make it too obvious on the internet). I asked the barman in Monroes what he thought of the area and he said that he'd live in my flat if it was offered to him. He said it's safe but noisy just like a lot of the replies here. I will try it for the weekend. Thanks for taking the time to reply

Shakti

Well it will be very different to the countryside, probably loads of Craic, not a peacefully quiet study dojo if that's what you need,

blackhound

I really want this apartment, although I reckon I'd find myself late for work most mornings if I had it. Great area bit noisy but I reckon you'd soon get used to it.

LoonyLovegood

OP, I'm only down the road. The noise isn't the worst, and it's perfectly safe. With the amount of bouncers around till late it's grand, I feel fine walking home alone at night.

moochers

Hey OP,
I'm living in the area for seven years with my two boys and we love it. It can be a little noisy at the weekends but it is very safe. Great location, great social scene, and great people. Close to the uni and you never have to worry about taxi's. Welcome to the neighbourhood

TMG94

Thank you all for your very helpful posts. I think I will be moving in Wouldn't have been able to make the decision without you guys!

moochers

Good on you OP, you will love it. Best of luck in college and let us know how you are getting on. Welcome to 'back the west'.