Car rental vs. car rental with driver for tour of Ireland?
 

6 Texans are going to be touring Ireland. We start in Dublin, head north to Belfast, continue on to the northwest, west and southwest and finally depart 12 days later from Shannon. I, for the most part, plan the trips ~ pick the hotels, restaurants and driving itinerary.

My wife and I have been to Ireland before (south and southwest). I loved the country and people but HATED stick shift driving on the left side of roads that were the width of my driveway (and then there are those stone walls). I am interested to hear from anybody that decided to retain a professional driver. I have never done this before so I have some basic questions.

Including:

1. Which car rental companies also provide that service?
2. Would it work heading into N. Ireland and then back into Ireland?
3. How much should we expect to pay?
4. Do we put them up at night and pay for their meals?

Appreciate your insight or the answer to questions I didn't even know I was suppose to ask.

We have done both, driving and being driven, and there really is no comparison. With a driver, you are much more efficient, since he knows where he is going, and won't get lost. He will do commentary, so you will know what you are looking at.

A minibus would be best. I hired a driver through www.lynotttours.com

I have no idea of what it would cost, since I did it awhile ago. It did include the driver's overnight accommodation (at B&B's), fuel, incurance, etc.

For 6 people plus drier you would need a larger vehicle. Yes, you must pay for the driver's hotel, meals, gas/expenses for the car - plus cost of the car and salary for the driver. But - perhaps not so much when spread among 6 people.

Thanks ~ have sent an email to Lynott Tours. Small van sounds nice. I will post her reply when I hear back. Would make trip so much more relaxing.

Philip

If you can afford it, a driver sounds ideal. I did all the driving when we were there because no one else would so I missed a lot of scenery. driver always loses out that way. I drove a 9 passenger minibus on those little tiny roads...quite an adventure but I'm a farm girl, I'm used to driving big trucks. :)