Ireland is not the UK or even "North-Western Europe". Ireland is in fact a very catholic country and they take their religion very seriously. It's about the only "northern-European" country that this could happen in (apart from Poland, but i consider that "east EU") Ireland's mentaliy towards religion is more comperable to Portugal and Spain. Very, very catholic.
"Those Irish are so catholic": I think Felatio is technically still illegal in Ireland...
The Dutch had a diplomatical kerfuffle in the 90's about an "Abortion boat" sailing under Dutch flag that could pick up passengers in Ireland ports and then offer secure safe abortions once the boat was in international waters and effectively "under Dutch law". Irish media and governement didn't really appreciate that.
To give context: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_on_Waves
The "abortion boat" was not a Dutch governement funded project, but it sailed under dutch flag and under a Dutch based organisation.
Abortion is and was perfectly legal in the NL during this time.
So don't let them know I'm atheist if I'm ever able to visit then...
Do they react negatively to visitor atheists? Or would they not be visibly upset if they found out?
Ireland is so beautiful. Its on my bucket list.
Think it's the same as in Spain/portugal. Ppl don't really care cause you are a tourist/outsider. Just dont go shouting blasphemous things all over town and causing a ruckus.
How did we get back to this? You can't criticize religion or government anymore. All of a sudden it gets you in trouble with the law.