Galway driving

Old Feb 12th, 2006, 02:37 PM
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Galway driving

After reading through many posts here, I am getting a bit worried about our first day in Ireland. We arrive in Shannon at 6:00 am. Our plan is to drive to Galway, via the cliffs, and spend the night there. We have a cottage in Cleggan starting the following day. Now I'm worried that the driving in Galway is really terrible, especially for weary travellers as we will be. Do I need to be worried? How bad is it? Thanks
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Old Feb 12th, 2006, 02:43 PM
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The road into Galway via the Cliffs of Moher is not very fast, and around and through the city itself, quite trafficky. But I think it's doable from SNN in a day, provided you're accustomed to driving on the left and not put off by narrow roads.
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Old Feb 12th, 2006, 02:52 PM
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We drove into Galway, and found our hotel, after flying from the US into Shannon a few hours earlier. I really wouldn't worry about driving in Galway. Although there was a little traffic in the city, it was far from crazy. Depends on what you're used to, of course.
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Old Feb 12th, 2006, 03:01 PM
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To drive direct from Shannon to Galway is fine as the road is good. To travel from Shannon to Galway via Cliffs of Moher is not so good. The road is, by American standards, as wide as one lane on your expressway and remember cars go in both directions on this road.
I would be worried about the amount of concentration it would take after a long flight.
Driving around Galway is fine. If you find you have a problem just stop and then work out the problem. We Irish are very helpful when asked.
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Old Feb 12th, 2006, 03:15 PM
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Cu is right about the locals being very helpful to lost Yanks. Having been lost more than a few times in Ireland I have had some very delightful conversations with local folk about where in hell am I. My only note about getting into Galway is the endless round abouts (circles to us Yanks). They are are well marked as you approach so your navagator should pay attention and remember is you miss your turn off do not panic, just go around again. Have fun
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Old Feb 12th, 2006, 07:58 PM
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Oh those roundabouts, just hate them! I only had to drive them twice last time in Ireland and I'm just terrible. I can't seem to get into the right spot to get off when I need to. Maybe this time I'll get the hang of it.
I just read that driving related deaths are the highest per capita in Ireland! Can someone pease tell me that is NOT true? I think if I just focus on the road and absolutely nothing else, I will be fine. I know, drivers can't be lookers! Thanks for your help, guys.
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Old Feb 13th, 2006, 01:07 PM
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I was in Ireland in September and throughout the 650 plus miles I put on my rental, I never witnessed one accident. The driving was one of the best parts of my experience. Galway was very easy to navigate. The signage was wonderful.

Left and Center was my mantra (Car on the left side of the road, Driver in the Center of the road).

Roundabouts were not a problem. The exits are well marked before you enter them and if you miss your exit, don’t panic, simply proceed around again until you reach the desired exit. Here’s what I did, and I don’t think I caused any confusion. After entering the roundabout, if I was going to take the 1st or 2nd exit, I stayed in the outside lane. Anything after that, I got in the inside lane until I was ready to exit.
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Old Feb 13th, 2006, 09:05 PM
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Hi Lotty,
You might be more comfortable spending the night somewhere in Co. Clare like Lisdoonvarna or Ballyvaughan. It's not that Galway itself is that difficult for driving, it would just be a really long day, long drive and not much fun when you're sleepy. I think it's better to stay in a small village, have a nap, go for nice walks and visit the pub on your first day.
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Old Feb 14th, 2006, 02:13 AM
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I do not know about if we are the highest per capita but trust me you are fine. You will be in well travelled roads and probably not driving late night when a lot of these happen.
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Old Feb 14th, 2006, 08:06 AM
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Driving in Galway is fine except during "rush hour" in the evening. Yikes! I made the biggest mistake decinding to go from my b&b in Salthill to the big Tesco. It took two hours!!
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Old Feb 14th, 2006, 12:52 PM
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The biggest key to safe driving is concentration. If you are chatting with a passenger and suddenly have to react, many people subconsciously pull to the right, when, in Ireland, you must react in the opposite direction. Several times, stepping out of the terminal in Shannon, I've heard the screetch of brakes - someone obviously leaving the airport on the wrong side of the road. Don't get distracted, and you'll be fine.
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Old Feb 14th, 2006, 03:32 PM
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Lotty don't worry about the roundabout, Do what we all do, put your foot on the gas , close your eyes and hope for the best!!!!!!.

Serious have a look at www.celticcarental.com/roundabouts.htm and you will be shown how to drive in Ireland with a lot of explanations.
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Old Feb 14th, 2006, 03:36 PM
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Sorry
The above should read
www.celticcarrental.com/roundabouts.htm
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Old Feb 14th, 2006, 05:05 PM
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Hello me darlin' Lotty...after having driven perhaps thousands of miles on four trips to God's greenest acres, I can also truthfully say I never witnessed an accident or the aftermath of one, and the entire perimeter from Dublin back to Dublin via furthest north and deepest south was never anything but the greatest joy. Asking directions from the warmest, friendliest people in all of Europe is part of the journey..I always find myself asking them to repeat just so I can enjoy it once again! The round-abouts actually help the traffic flow and you'll get used to it straightaway (pardon the pun)...I would not suggest traveling to Galway via the Cliffs...but would suggest you drive from Shannon to the Cliffs (about 40 miles) and stay the night in musical Doolin, a lovely little village, home to Gus O Connor's famous music pub...we've enjoyed the Aran View House Hotel, reasonable and comfortable...about 100E's...a walking distance from Gus's...three restaurants in the vicinity of Gus's...his pub grub ain't bad either!
http://www.iol.ie/~visitirl/html/aran_view_hotel.html

Next morning, you'll be ready to go into Galway and head out the Connemara Peninsula to Cleggan...but first have lunch at Destry Rides Again in charming Clifden...you'll be well rested...be sure to visit the fishing village of Roundstone en route to Clifden/Cleggan..a bit off the main highway...and visit the beautiful Kylemore Abbey nearby..see your map.
Stu T.
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Old Feb 14th, 2006, 05:11 PM
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http://www.aranview.com/contact.html

try this address for Aran View House Hotel..

Stu T.
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Old Feb 14th, 2006, 10:53 PM
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Just have to say that I remember several dodgy moments associated with driving in Ireland, and Galway figures in none of them.

By that measure, you'll be fine.
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Old Feb 15th, 2006, 07:39 AM
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well you guys, I'm convinced . It really will be a long day, and a little music at the end of the day - before I fall asleep - does sound like a treat not to be missed. Thanks to you all for the tips. I'll be staying in Doolin the first night and I'll be sure to visit Gus. I'll let you all know if I make it back alive! (Only kidding)
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Old Feb 15th, 2006, 08:34 AM
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The most important thing is having good directions. If you go to viamichelin.com or one of those routing sites, print out the directions and follow them to a tee. One person drives--the other navigates and reads the directions. That's how I got through Galway!!!
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Old Feb 15th, 2006, 03:02 PM
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Great to see that you are visiting Doolin. To get you off on the right note could I welcome you to the web www.doolin-tourism.com and there you will see nice pictures of the area. The view of the see is looking out towards Galway Bay.
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Old Feb 15th, 2006, 03:51 PM
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I'll be sure to have good directions with me when I go! CU, thanks for the pictures of the Doolin area - looks so beautiful. I have read some post / reviews about Doolin that describe it as way too touristy now, but it just doesn't look that way to me. Of course I'm looking at it from a long way off. Have you been there often? Is Gus O'Connors the best to visit since we have only one night? From a bit of web searching, I see it is quite famous, but so often it is the little known place that really is special. What's your opinion? Also - is there music in Doolin most nights? We'll be there on a Friday night, 21 April. Is that close enough to the summer season? Thanks.
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