American Tourists Try to Skip Out on Bill in Dublin — It Doesn’t End Well
Two American tourists got more than they bargained for during Dublin’s packed St. Patrick’s Day celebrations when they attempted to ditch the fare for a horse and carriage ride. What followed has since gone viral, sparking a wave of stunned and amused reactions online.
The Attempted Getaway
The pair, visiting Ireland’s capital for the famous holiday weekend, reportedly tried to slip away without paying after their scenic carriage ride. But their escape didn’t go unnoticed.
In a widely shared video on X, the furious carriage driver is seen storming after them down a Dublin street, brandishing a whip and shouting as the stunned tourists huddled in a nearby alley.
“Pay Now!”
Wearing a black puffer jacket and jeans, the driver shouted, “Pay now, pay into my f**** bank account!” while cracking his whip in the air. One of the startled tourists nervously tried to explain, “I have money,” before pulling out what looked like cash. “It’s 100 US, it’s extra,” he said shakily, handing it over.
But the driver wasn’t quite ready to let it go, hurling more curses their way.
Two American tourists thought it would be a great idea to try and do a runner from paying for a horse and carriage ride in Dublin over #StPatricksDay weekend
They were taught a swift lesson and even said “thank you” 😳
Share and follow for more pic.twitter.com/c6UG9ye4WS— TheLiberal.ie (@TheLiberal_ie) March 18, 2025
In an attempt to calm things down, the tourists apologized quickly, one saying, “I’m sorry, we’ve learned our lesson, thank you!” It’s still unclear whether they had actually paid already, or were trying to make up for skipping out.
Internet Reacts: “They Got What They Deserved”
The video quickly caught fire online, with many commenters cheering on the driver. “Served them right!” wrote one. “Brilliant. He wasn’t holding back!” said another. Someone even dubbed it, “The best video of the day.”
Plenty of Americans were on the driver’s side too. “I’m American, and I approve of this,” one user declared.
Others were baffled by the tourists’ reaction. “Why are they just standing there taking it?” one person asked. Another pointed out, “Did that guy just say thank you after getting whipped?”
Not Everyone Sided with the Driver
While many supported the dramatic callout, others raised concerns about potential overcharging. “Probably being ripped off,” one user suggested. Another added, “Those carriage drivers are scammers — say it’s €50, then it’s €50 per person.”
Some even sympathized more with the horses than the humans. “Glad they ran. No sympathy for that guy. Poor horses,” someone wrote.
Unexpected Twists: Wombat Snatcher Jokes?
The viral moment also sparked some wild side conversations. One commenter referenced a separate scandal involving American “hunting influencer” Samantha Strable, who was accused of stealing a baby wombat in Australia and fleeing to Thailand.
“Can we send the carriage driver after the wombat snatcher next?” one user joked.
Lesson Learned
If there’s one thing this chaotic encounter made clear, it’s that trying to skip out on a fare in Dublin—especially when dealing with a no-nonsense Irish carriage driver—is a risk not worth taking. Judging by their terrified faces, these two tourists likely won’t be making that mistake again.