The Australian government is warning its citizens about traveling to Ireland due to political tensions surrounding the centenary of the Easter Rising.

Its online travel advisory said "tensions between dissident republicans and unionists have increased in the lead up to the centenary of the Easter Rising.”

It said citizens should avoid protests and demonstrations, and warned that those associated with Northern Ireland "may turn violent.”

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade published the advisory in its Irish travel advice section on Monday.

In its UK section, which was last updated on 17 February, the government warned tourists traveling to Northern Ireland "to avoid all protests and demonstrations.”

"Instances of civil disorder can rapidly escalate into violence," it said.

"You should avoid them wherever possible, including by carefully monitoring the media and following the advice of local authorities."

Citizens were also told "to avoid parades during the marching season.”

"We advise you to avoid the annual parades which occur in Northern Ireland during the months of April to August, especially the weeks leading up to the 'Twelfth' (also called Orangemen's Day) on 12 July when tensions may be heightened.

"These parades may turn violent with little warning. Australians could inadvertently be caught up in violence directed at others."

A spokesperson for the Republic of Ireland's Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport told the BBC that it does not comment on "the travel advice of other governments to their citizens.”