ONE OF THE few things that I dislike about Irish culture is our apparent inability to conduct ourselves on public streets. I’m not even talking about the drunk, the churlish or the loud. At least they make themselves known, and you can give them a wide berth. The most frustrating people on our pavements are the pedestrians. 

In many ways, we are lucky. Ireland is a more relaxed place for walkers than many of our neighbouring nations.

London’s pedestrian culture is a bit more cutthroat, with many making their way to work with the haste of Mo Farah. If you’re not mowed down by a finance bro, you might find yourself climbing over a pile of abandoned, dockless Lime bikes.

In Germany, jaywalking is looked upon with revulsion. Our Department of Foreign Affairs even includes a warning on its website about this for Irish citizens heading there.

We can count our blessings that we don’t have to barrel around the city at full speed, or risk a five-star GTA wanted level for crossing when the lights are red. However, our relaxed pace of living comes with its drawbacks. 

Dublin: The epicentre 

It does not take long to see the problems caused by pedestrians when you take a stroll around the capital. As a small country, with a high concentration of tourists........

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