Automatic vs. standard in Ireland
 

Wondering if anybody has comments on how difficult(or not)it is to get used to left-hand shifting. Going to Ireland next month and have noticed automatics cost almost twice as much as standards to rent. Visited last year, had automatic, found left-lane driving an easy enough adjustment. Also having problems with pronouns(ha ha). On a side note, I booked a fly, drive, b+b package tour last year with Brendans. The reservation clearly stated manual transmission, but when I got to Shannon, I was issued an automatic, which was great. Anybody had that happen to them? I'm thinking about reserving a manual and trying to upgrade to automatic at the airport. What do you think?

I thought that it was quite natural, and picked it up as if I had always done it. Your right arm is on the armrest of the door, of course; your body knows instinctively that the left arm has to do the job that it never has done before.

Best wishes,

Rex

We reserved an automatic on our last trip to Ireland but were told it was not available when we went to pick up the car.
I was dreading shifting with my left hand AND remembering to drive on the left and was amazed at how quickly I adjusted. It was much easier that I thought it would be, and I'm easily confused!

I would not reserve a manual with the hope of getting an automatic. So many tourists are from the US that automatics are at a permium - and as Judy said you may sometimes not get one even if you reserve it. It happened to us as well - the beau drove and had no problem - but then he's never had an automatic - always driven stick - so the change was less than someone who usually does auto.

Not a problem. You get used to it right away.

The only problem I had was the very first time I drove in Ireland -- I couldn't find reverse. I had to ask. There was a ring you had to lift up. ((b))