Viral tourist post on Dublin horse and carriage “scams” is “damaging Ireland”

A social media post warning tourists about alleged scams involving horse and carriage rides is damaging Ireland's reputation, a charity has said.

The post describes visitors being charged significantly more than expected after allegedly being told that the advertised fare was "per person" rather than for the carriage, and further alleges one operator becoming aggressive when challenged.

Animal charity My Lovely Horse Rescue is calling on the relevant authorities to strengthen oversight of the industry, enforce clear consumer protections and ensure robust welfare standards "for every horse working on our streets."

"Whether every allegation proves accurate or not, stories like these are deeply damaging to Ireland's reputation," a statement said.

"We want to be absolutely clear: there are many horse and carriage drivers who are honest, professional and genuinely care about both their customers and their horses. They work hard, treat visitors with respect and operate with integrity.

Sadly, it only takes a handful of bad operators to destroy public trust.

Those engaging in dishonest practices are not just scamming tourists—they are undermining every decent carriage driver trying to earn an honest living. They are tarnishing an entire industry and reinforcing negative perceptions that affect everyone involved."

For My Lovely Horse Rescue, the issue also about animal welfare.

Horse-drawn carriages are one of Dublin's most recognisable tourist attractions, yet concerns surrounding the welfare of the horses have been raised for many years.

The horses spend long hours working in busy city traffic, surrounded by noise, congestion and increasingly challenging conditions with temperatures reaching record highs this summer.

"Millions of people visit Ireland each year expecting the famous Irish welcome," a spokesperson for the charity added.

"They should leave talking about our hospitality, not warning others online to avoid certain attractions altogether.

Ireland invests millions promoting itself as a world-class destination. Stories of tourists feeling intimidated or misled, alongside images of horses working on crowded city streets, undermine that investment and damage our international reputation."

Many cities around the world have already reviewed or phased out horse-drawn carriage operations in favour of more modern and humane alternatives.