My last visit to Ireland was 14 years ago. I'm wanting to go back this August or September, but I've been reading here and in other places that things have really taken a turn for the worse in Ireland, with an increase in crime, public disorder, street fights and so on. Is it really that bad? Even back in the 1990s and early 2000s, I tried to stay as little as possible in Dublin. I visited the must-sees there; laughed my head off at Brendan Grace at Jury's; then left Dublin as soon as I could. Hired a car and went all over the south and west. Stopped at little towns and drank with the locals. A night I'll never forget was watching locals dance at a ceili at Burke's Bar in Clonbur. I miss Ireland for those things and its scenery, cool temperatures and awesome butter. So I imagine the downturn in Ireland is confined to the cities and bigger towns, and I can still enjoy rural Ireland. Am I right?