We need to rent a car in Ireland for about 10 days in May. Any advise on which company? Local vs. one of the big names (Avis, Hertz, etc)?

We rented from Hertz in May 2004 and I got a great rate (not sure why, $240 for a week). Whoever you rent from definately get an automatic (I love to drive standards) and make sure you have insurance or buy it. I was 5 minutes out of the Hertz lot and I hit a parked car and tore off both side mirrors. Most credit card insurance will not cover driving in Ireland. It's a little hairy depending upon where you're going. Good Luck and keep checking rates. You might try AutoEurope.

Last year we rented through Auto Europe which had the best price at that time. We always decline the CDW because of the higher rate plus there is always a deductible involved. We use a credit card which offers full damage and theft insurance with no deductible. Master Card platinum offers this coverage in Ireland, or least they did last year. Be sure to check. Visa and AMEX don't insure in Ireland. If you decide to use a credit card, be sure to initiate the original contract with that card and use it again when picking up the car. Otherwise, the credit card insurance is void. We have had one minor incident which Master Card insurance paid, except for VAT.

Check these folks. We used them in France with great success:

http://www.fastcarhire.com

One tip, bring some plastic zip ties. You might be able to secure your hubcaps on with them. If you are used to driving on the other side, then you will be hitting a few curbs. We lost a hubcap who knows where.

I am renting in May and contrary to what I had heard on this board, my gold Visa card does cover insurance in Ireland. I had them send a letter to that effect which I can present to the rental desk if any question. It does make a big difference in the rate not having to pay insurance and also there is no deductible. Car rental in Ireland seems way more complicated than anywhere else. Just be careful that you know exactly what you are paying for when quoted a rate.

I found this travel agency to have the best rate for a 10 day rental in Ireland last April.I didn't pay any optional CDW as my USAA platinum card covered me.
http://www.oscannlain.com/intro.html

Starfish,The Visa website states that they don't cover CDW in Ireland anymore.
Here is what they state:
Please note: This benefit is available on all Visa Classic, Visa Secured, Visa Gold, Visa Platinum, and Visa Signature cards.
Except!
Losses from rental transactions which originated in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, or Northern Ireland.

Hi Lovejoy, this is really confusing now but all I can figure is that it must depend on whose VISA one has - I have TD Gold VISA out of Canada and here is what their website states -
"Use your eligible TD Visa Card to charge the full cost of a car rental and the Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance program will cover you at no additional cost. This insurance coverage means you do not need to purchase the collision/loss damage insurance coverage offered by the car rental company. You'll be protected against loss arising from damage to the rental car on most rentals in North America and many foreign countries - which includes and not limited to Europe and Ireland." The letter I have is from the insurance underwriter and it states the same thing so maybe it is up to the underwriting company whether or not they will cover you and where. Crazy confusing!

Vote here for Dan Dooley; rented at the Dublin airport and returned to Shannon. They were there EARLY in the am.