This is a post-script to my message regarding rental cars. Every rental car agency I looked at charged a fortune for GPS so we took two portable Garmin GPS systems with us (obviously systems that included Ireland). Our third driver declined a Garmin because "he could read maps" - eldest son arrogance. He regretted it when he found out that there are very few legible street signs in Dublin (at least when you're in a van, driving [for the first time in your life] on the left side of the road). The Garmin worked great most of the time . . . but, even though they were supposed to be up to date, they didn't have some of the new M roads so we'd be driving along and suddenly the Garmin would show us driving along open countryside. We followed the M roads and ignored the Garmin and everything was fine. Additionally, the Garmin gives the shortest (by mileage) not the easiest route. In going from Shannon to Kenmare it took us through the Kilarney forest on a rainy Saturday where we were almost killed by a speeding tour bus (that's how we lost a mirror). When we got to Kenmare our hostess laughed because there is a much easier (just a couple of miles longer - with no tour buses) way to go. So spend some time looking at good maps and remember - GPS systems are just machines - you're the one with the brain. But don't be too proud to use all the tools. You're on vacation - make your life as easy as possible.
Slainte Again - Barbara

Good advice, Barbara. We rented a car with a GPS one year and was surprised how much trouble it saved us, not to mention our usually drivinginEurope bickering.

Also, get a map from the tourist office of small towns where you may be staying. The one problem with the GPS and our road map is it didn't show us a construction site that was in the middle of the road BACK to the hotel. It seemed so easy in the day time but coming back at night was different altogether. It was a good story for later though.

Hello Kilroy welcome back! Hope you had an OK time here in the emerald isle... i remember feeling so sorry for you (you were here around oxegen, isn't that right) and it was POURING rain and you had a rake of grandchildren to amuse... hope it all worked out!
jane

Thanks Jane! It all worked out. We had 3 sons at Oxegen. One came into Dublin on Saturday and the other two on Sunday am. We had some rain but also some sun. I got so tired of people telling me how wonderful the weather was in May and June. We had a soccer pitch behind our apartments and have film of a wonderful US vrs Ireland soccer game between our family (not me thank God) and the local kids. The highlight was when one young man told his friend to watch out for our 16 year old granddaughter because "she's fecking good". What we can a Mastercard moment (can't buy it or plan for it). There was good weather for both the Galway Arts Festival and the Races. Thanks for all the interest and help. Barbara

ha ha you obviously got a taste of the "real dublin"! glad you enjoyed it. j