I have been reading about the horror stories of renting a car in ireland. is there a bus tour from dublin to waterford and cork? and if not, why not?

Now, don't worry about all those awful stories. Just take it slow and avoid Dublin as much as possible. Dublin is a good place to use the local bus services. The rest of your choices are by far more enjoyable if you drive yourself. You can stop along the way whenever you please, and truly get to know Ireland and the people. My first trip was 17 days in 1998 and then 21 days earlier this year in the spring. I would recomment you contact Dan Dooley Rent-A-Car. They are great and I can give you more info if you e-mail me.

Madelyn, <BR> <BR>Check out "www.buseireann.co.ie" for coach service and day tours within the Republic of Ireland. There is also an Iarnrod Eireann intercity rail service from Dublin to both cities ("www.irishrail.ie"), which would be faster than traveling by coach. This would take care of intercity transportation, if you're willing to include an overnight stay. <BR> <BR>Bus Eireann also offers an open-top tour within Cork City, but I don't see anything similar in Waterford. <BR> <BR>CIE offers package tours of Ireland which might also suit your needs ("www.cietours.com"). <BR> <BR>Keep in mind that Bus Eireann travel can be fairly complicated, rail services in Ireland are quite limited, and package tours come with all the usual caveats, so if you can afford a car, you should at least consider Al's advice above. <BR> <BR>Dave

Okay - - i used to post messages like this anonymously - - but since fodor's did the honorable thing and changed our forum back, I will put my name on this. <BR> <BR>I look forward to changes in the forum software that will not allow a message "title" like this "help". <BR> <BR>Maybe the software will reject titles that don't at least reference one geographical name. <BR> <BR>Sorry to re-tread this tired subject. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Madelyn, <BR>Check out www.ireland.travel.ie for assistance and advice from the Irish Tourist Board. CIE and Bus Eireann are the best tours, avoid the others in favour of them, post if we can help further (and retitle your message with Ireland in it to get better assistance) <BR> <BR>Cathy