A travel warning has been issued to Australian tourists thinking of coming to Ireland.

The Government there says there's been an increase in crime and a threat of civil unrest here, due to tensions between Unionists and Republicans during the Centenary of the Easter Rising.

Visitors are advised to avoid all protests, some of which may turn violent.

It puts the advice down to increased tension between Republicans and Unionists.

Former Diplomat and author, Eamon Delaney, thinks the advice is bizarre, and damaging.

Helen Vaughan has been speaking to Australians living in Ireland and filed this report.