I'm planning my eigth trip for this April, and all have so far, involved using manual transmissions. I've driven 9 passenger vans (round the Ring of Kerry, and through the extreme wilds of West Cork), 7 passenger vans, a 5 passenger people mover and full size, mid size and compact sedans.
I too, drive a stick stateside (though the "Good" car is an automatic). Even if the price difference wasn't SOOOO Much, I think that I would choose a stick in Ireland, just for the versatility.

Bob

bornintheusa: You must be so confused by now! Good grief! I wonder what you will decide......good luck!

And safe travels indeed. All the best.

Sue

I learned to drive on a stick shift, and have rented manuals in Ireland twice. Not a big deal for me. The only time I ever wanted an automatic was when we drove up the road to Slieve League. We got halfway up and encountered 3 cars coming down (on a one lane road with an 800 foot dropoff on the left). A couple of cars pulled up behind me, and it became clear that we'd have to pull over as far to the left (and the chasm) as possible. Feathering the clutch and gas with my wife on the passenger side groaning and my legs trying to tremble was painfully difficult. I didn't learn not to drive a stick next time, but I'm sure not driving up that road again.

By the way, the roads along the route you've chosen are pretty good by Irish standards. Of course, there are the usual surprises of sheep in the road, roads through towns lined with cars parked on both sides, "loose chippings", etc., but you should really enjoy that route. Where are you staying along the way, may I ask?

Thanks all of you for your wonderful advice and even better driving stories!! Still not sure what to get in the way of manual vs. automatic but am going to price both and decide from there. Will let you all know what I decide when I finally rent something. To MexicoBeachbum we will be staying at local B and Breakfasts (not sure which ones as my darling girlfriend is working on those and my job is to research and work on getting the rental car) along the way staying in each one 2-3 nights--total of 14 days in Ireland and then a 3 day stay in London on the way home.

I think an automatic is the way to go as well - BUT...do you also need to factor in your preference for the size of the car? I mention this, because it seems like most of the smaller cars in Ireland are not available with an automatic, and my experience with driving in Ireland really doesn't make me want to rent a large car.

I've driven both, small car with manual and a larger car with automatic, and I can't say with certainty what I'm going to rent this summer. Any thoughts on what the best small car option with an automatic would be that would usually be available for rental in Ireland?

I'm familiar and comfortable with a standard at home, but would definitely opt for the automatic to drive in Ireland. From what I understand, it is difficult enough to navigate on the "wrong" side, down very narrow roads, keep away from foliage along the sides that will cause damage (or, as someone told me, "figure on losing your side view mirrors early on"), and figuring out road signs, where you can find them.

Story from friends: Reserved a standard to save money. Just could not get used to that clutch. And, had very difficult time each and every time getting car into reverse. Came to a traffic signal one day. Light turned green, car stalled. By the time got car going again, light red. After this happened again and again over several light changes, there was a tap on the window from a driver behind, "Are ya waitin' for a particular shade of green?"

For me, it's not so much shifting as it would seem there are lots of other contingencies also worthy of your attention while driving.

I drove a manual for years, both in Germany and California. When we go to Europe, I'm always the driver, as my travel partner, my sister, is timid about driving there. We almost always rent cars with manual transmission because usually automatics are considerably more expensive. I haven't found driving a manual to be difficult, though I do hate having to wait in traffic on a hill when I may or may not stall the car with others right at my bumper.

However, I did have an accident in England. I hit a dump truck! I was turning from a two-lane road onto a dual carriageway, and I got confused. I think next time I go to the UK I will get an automatic unless the price is just too outrageous. I think the fewer complications I have when driving there, the better.

The roads in the country are often extremely narrow. My sister and I had a system--she would gasp, which was the signal that I was too close to the rock wall on my left. Our system worked well until the fateful day when I encountered the dump truck.

My husband has driven cars in Scotland, Ireland, England for trips over the past 25 yrs. and we always have rented a manual. He did VERY well, but is left handed and has a great sense of direction and road conditions.
Having said that: the past couple of years we have rented automatic and it's WELL worth the added price...and is certainly one (BIG) thing less to worry about. There will be 4 of you ladies and you will be having lots of fun and giggles , I'm sure. ..and will probably split the price..right? We did almost your same route, only in reverse, a few years ago. Ireland is beautiful , wonderful, full of super nice people.....however the roads ARE curvy, hilly some, quite rough some, and narrow. I think you'd have a more relaxed, enjoyable time renting an automotic. And with 4 of you, you'll need a larger car anyway. Besides, it's safer. Even with just the two of us we usually rent a Tarus or similar.
(and "Mandatory" CDW insurance in Ireland is NOT mandataory , IF you have a letter from Mastercard and rent with a MC).

Aw come on lads our roads are not that bad! ....seriously i would advise on a Manual, and just grit your teeth driving the Ring of Kerry:)

bornintheusa: I have a recommendation for a reasonably priced B&B in Waterford that's quite charming and a fairly short walk to downtown and the quay. It's the Mayors Walk B&B. Jane Hovenden, the hostess, is a sweet lady and does a nice job on the food. Not fancy, but a good value nevertheless. No website when I checked last, but her email is: [[email protected]]

By far, the most difficult aspects were getting into the car on the (wrong) driver's side and intuitively knowing where the left side of the car was in "space".
Had no trouble shifting with my left hand nor the brake, clutch which are the same layout.
M

Well, with all of your help I have come to the conclusion that even though I am a crazy California driver I am going with an automatic. Being the driver for my 3 friends I don't want to endanger their lives and mine!! So this way the only thing I will really have to get use to is driving the "wrong" side of the road and don't have to worry about that AND shifting. Found that we can get a mid size automatic (Ford Mondero) with 4 doors and a hatchback that says it fits 5 people (probably 5 year olds!!) and 4 bags I think for about $800 in US dollars for 11 days. But with 4 of us that is only $200 per person for a lot of sightseeing. Am going through O'Scannlain.

WOW, that's an awful lot for just 11 days of rental. Did you try Autoeurope.com? Also, if you use your Plat M/C, they cover the CDW, which can be very expensive. ((b))

We rented an automatic Mondeo in England in 1998 and the rate at that time for a 1-way rental, 9 days, basic (i.e. CC insurance as opposed to car rental agency insurance) and free extra driver was around £ 20 per day. (I'm quoting in pounds to minimize confusion for you as I paid in $CAN). Allowing for the fairly steep inflation that has affected rental car markets, then at today's prices the rate I paid would be around £ 30 per day, for a 1-way automatic rental of at least a week's duration. It seemed steep to me even at the time but I had no standard of comparison (no pun intended) since all our other rentals were standard transmissions, and in other countries.

The Mondeo was adequate for 4 people provided each of you packs fairly lightly. (A Mondeo is like a Contour, if memory serves.)

If you really want to find out the answer to your question, you could always try renting, in addition to your 'main' rental, a 1-day rental of a manual transmission car out of a local garage once you get to Ireland. Local garage rates tend to be reasonable, since they don't offer full service e.g. multiple depots, extended office hours, or 1-way dropoffs. Then you could try out the manual for a day when you are over there (preferably in a smaller city or town) and see how you like it. You'd then know for future trips.

But given that driving with 3 people on a long-anticipated trip is bound to be somewhat distracting, I think you made the right choice for your main rental. It's also much harder as a rule to find automatics than manuals overseas, so switching at the last minute isn't always possible.

We have yet to drive in Ireland (making our first trip in March!) but we have driven in England and preferred automatics. We are planning on doing this in Ireland too. There is enough to worry about without also worrying about shifting with the other hand! But I think it just depends on how well you drive at home and how good you think your driving ability will be over there.

By the way, I just checked out autoeurope.com and the price differences between auto and manual weren't too bad. We are going March 18 through the 26 and the cheapest manual is $91 for the week, cheapest automatic is $191 for the week. The rates are so inexpensive that we are going to pay the extra $100.

Tracy

$800 for a mid-size AT car seems a bit high to me as well--though not outrageously so. Maybe $100 or so.

Besides autoeurope try Nova at www.novarentacar.com or 1-866-NOVACAR Like autoeurope, Nova will try to match or beat other prices you are quoted.

Doesn't hurt to shop around a bit. And be sure to check what each rental company/broker is and isn't including in the price.

Always curioius, I just checked Nova for a mid-size car with AT and they came up with about $560 for 11 days from Dublin city to Shannon airport. Around $15 higher from Dublin airport.

We rented a Ford Focus (manual) for 21 days through Dan Dooley for about what you're paying for 11 days, I think. Check with them through theirelandexpert.com, and you'll get a discount and a free size upgrade.

Jumping into this discussion a little late but let me add my vote for automatic. I haven't driven in Ireland but maybe my experience in the narrow roads in Cornwall qualifies me. With an automatic, I found little trouble adjusting to RHS driving. However, I did find driving on narrow roads required closer attention than I normally need here in the western US. Many roads have no shoulder at all; instead there's a curb or a hedge or, most unforgiving, a stone wall. Nothing like passing an oncoming car on a narrow road bordered by stone walls.

Also helpful is a good navigator, so you can concentrate on the driving.

I am all about saving $$ so will check Autoeurope.com, Novarentacar.com and theirelandexpert.com as you all suggest. Triple A and Hertz were about $1000 for an automatic Mondero with all of the insurance--so will keep looking...have lots of time!!