American Driving in Ireland
 

Many, many years ago, I drove during a UK vacation. Driving on the left was a challenge I could meet without too much trouble, but I had a French car with steering & pedals on the left, so operating the car was a breeze.

I hope to rent a car for our upcoming Ireland trip. Two questions:

1. How difficult is it to get a left-side-steering car?

2. Assuming that the above is not possible, how are the gas and brake pedals positioned in the regular Irish car?

(I figure I can handle the steering on the right, but if the pedals are reversed from my normal expectations, I believe that would be a major safety issue for me.)

I would also appreciate any other tips. We plan to stay in Dublin several nights and then do a five-day drive around the country. (We know not to rent a car for the city!) I'll post questions about that part of the trip later, after I get a general idea of what we want to see.

Thanks.

ssander

>>1. How difficult is it to get a left-side-steering car?<<

You can't -- and you wouldn't want to.

>>2. Assuming that the above is not possible, how are the gas and brake pedals positioned in the regular Irish car?<<

The pedals are identical. It is only that the gearshift is on your left side.

>> . . . I believe that would be a major safety issue for me<<

As it would be for everyone else driving everywhere - think about it. There are places all over the world where they drive on the left -- every car's pedals are in the same configuration.

I can't imagine driving on the left with a car that has steering on the left, so I would take it as good news that, indeed, you won't be able to rent such in Ireland.

Actually driving on the left in a left hand drive car is easier than in a right hand drive car if you are used to a LHD vehicle. You position yourself on the road much better, because you are used to having all that car to your right.
I learned to drive in teh UK, and drove there for many years before moving to the Netherlands. I am now so used to a LHD car I am pretty useless when I have to hire a RHD car.

Thanks...that's what I wanted to know.

ssander

Actually, I got pretty good at driving in the UK with a LHD car...except for right turns, when I really had to discipline myself to stay out of the oncoming traffic lane. :-)

...but that was in 1966 and in 1970...a long, long time ago. My reflexes are not as good now as they were then...but my judgment is better, and I'm less prone to speeding. I know I'll be super-careful in Ireland.

BTW...I just booked my rental reservation...from Enterprise. 150€ (weekly rate) for five days which included taxes and damage waiver. That seemed reasonable. They're not too far from our hotel, and they'll pick us up, if we want them to. It can be cancelled if I find a better deal, but that seems fair.

ssander

You are not going to drive round the island in 5 days or even 1/2 of it if you want to experience anything. select where you want to see what you want to do and maybe cut some of the Dublin time?

Driving? If you can drive it makes little difference what side of the road you are set to drive on. Spacial awareness of the road is easily and quickly gained, unfortunately may visitors from over the Atlantic tend to overcompensate for narrower roads as many near side wing mirrors have discovered.

Tony2...

If you, personally, had to name two places to drive to, given 5 days, what would they be, and why?

ssander

Beara. Lesser known/visited of the big 3 south west peninsulas. Catch some of Ireland as it used to be before its gone. The peninsula is the same area as the Dingle peninsula but no big tour bus's far fewer gift shops catering for visitors rather than tourists.

Lough Derg lakelands but I'm biased, I chose to live here above the western banks of the Shannon.

Connemara always gets my vote but whilst you can do a days drive it needs more than a day to sample.

Bottom line is that there are a whole heap of locations worth taking a look at and my taste isn't the same as the next mans (generally). Nowhere on the island is unique no matter what some folk will tell you, anything you can find one place you can find somewhere else as well with very few exceptions. It depends therefore what you and yours want to see and do.

My best advice, be a visitor not a tourist, take some time to feel a place not just look at it. Talk to a few locals in conversation not just ordering food/drink etc. Guide books are guides not instructions (unless the authors initials are RS).

5 days from~to Dublin : standard answer for a 1st time visitor:
Head to Cork via Cashel/Cahir or Kilkenny - Via Beara to Killarney x2 - Ennis because I like Ennis back to Dublin via? depends what you and yours enjoy?

Beara gets a vote from me too.

me too . . .

The only problem I had was smacking my right arm into the door reflexively reaching for the stick. You will do fine.

My only useful comment about driving in Ireland is to watch out for the sheep. Other than the relatively few motorways they are everywhere. Local roads tend to be narrow and may have ditches on the side instead of shoulders. And you may come across a sheep - or herd - around any turn. And they won;t move until the farmer or dog comes along to get them. So, don't speed and be prepared.

I don't think I've ever seen a car with left hand side steering for hire anywhere in Ireland. I've ridden in one configured opposite the norm and having the driver sitting off nearer the shoulder is a bit unnerving. Much better to have the drivers nearest the centre stripe so they can see how close they are to the opposite traffic.

Get an automatic and the only difference is (sometimes) the position of the levers for turn indicator and wipers. Otherwise, I've adapted to left hand shifting since moving to Australia and it's natural in a day or so.

Beara Peninsula is gorgeous. Healey Pass one of my favourite views.

Thanks to all for the great info.

I remember the narrow roads that were in Cornwall...often with rock walls on the sides (rather than ditches).

Beara sounds great...I've put it on our A-list.

...and I've booked an automatic...shifting on the left would be one more unneeded distraction while driving.

[Side note...our 1966 French car had 5-on-the-column...very strange...it was a Citroen with some weird kind of fluid suspension that made the car go up and down when we needed extra clearance...or on its own at times. Made changing the tire easy, however...no jack needed; just a block to put under the car when elevated. When we "lowered" the car, the wheel near the block went up.It was a very comfortable car which cost us $750 for 3-months!]

...but I digress...keep the recommendations coming, please.

ssander

So far this year (considering we live in very rural Ireland) i'v seen a couple of horses loose on the road, a calf that we ushered back into a field, A prize Bull which we manoeuvred carefully past before handing the problem to the Gards with a phone call. Loads of Deer but apart from a trip over the bog road in Connemara no Sheep?? Guess they must all be off to Kerry stalking US tourists in rental cars!

These days farmers do try and keep their stock off the roads and there are a lot more fences than there used to be even if only electric fence (miles of that gone up recently) Stock is though still moved down the roads/lanes under supervision so its not impossible to get caught in a jam although there is generally a bit of warning.