Just returned from a WONDERFUL 10 day trip which encompassed all ROK, Dingle, up past Galway to Connemara. Beautiful country with lovely, friendly people. We only had one negative experience in Kenmare at O'Donnabhains. The food was not cooked properly (ie. not cooked at all!). They wouldn't take it back to the kitchen to cook it, wouldn't bring another menu choice and wouldn't take it off the bill. Extremely rude about it all actually, so I would advise to skip that pub.
Otherwise, the trip was glorious!

The rent car was the best part! I felt like I had a go cart to drive all week! It was a roomy manual transmission 4 door Mazda - almost too big for my daughter and myself as all our luggage fit in the trunk fine. No problem navigating the roads so don't let others on here make you feel like you can't do it! I'm a 50 y/o woman and if I can drive across the country without any problems, anyone can! We drove through the Gap of Dunloe to the other side on a one lane road up the mountain...along the cliff hanging roads of Sheas Head in Dingle and another "short cut" up a one lane road that had a sign at the start of the road - a yellow triangle with a picture of a car falling back on itself. We thought twice about that road, but went for it and saw BEAUTIFUL views! Well worth it! The drive to the Cliffs of Moher were fine. Just a regular road, no problems at all. I'd suggest going past the Cliffs to Doolin to see the cliffs from the other side with the waves crashing against them. The splash of the waves reached the top of the cliffs..I can see why they have signs "Not Suitable for Bathing!" LOL!

Just opened my MasterCard bill. Total price for the Hertz car for 7 days = $320.11 !!
Yes..that is dollars. Someone on this board is telling everyone that NO ONE excepts Citi World Mastercard Platinum level (what I have) in lieu of buying their insurance. NOT TRUE! They cheerfully said okay when I declined all insurance offers. I had a letter from MasterCard, which wasn't needed. The price was not inflated as someone on here scares you will happen. Looking at my MasterCard statement right now, it shows the same price I was quoted when I first booked (with Orbitz - GREAT DEAL!) of 227.61 Euro for 7 days which came to $320.11. They did put a $4,000 insurance hold on my card until it was returned. If you have a low credit limit, that might be a problem for you, but they did remove the $4000 hold immediately upon return of the car.
Moral of story - go to Ireland and rent a car. It's the only way to see Ireland. They are NOT expensive if you do your homework before you go. It's worth getting a Citi WORLD Mastercard to use, only if just for the rental car, it saves you the outrageous insurance fees they otherwise charge you.
Book the car through Orbitz or Expedia or one of those places (they are the cheapest by far) and do bring the written proof. They were shocked at the price I was quoted but they did honor it - saying I got one heck of a deal! I was skeptical myself before leaving so I called Hertz directly to ensure they showed a rental for me on the dates I reserved at the price I was quoted by Orbitz. They had it in their system..so not a problem.

We had a blast and look forward to going back - soon I hope!

I also had a just fine rental from Hertz at Dublin airport back in June. We drew a Peugeot 207 which was just right for two adults and a nine-year old and paid all of 80 Euro for 4 days ( you got ripped off LoL). You can't get that kind of deal here anymore. (There had been a 15% coupon discount included). They readily accepted my Citibank World MasterCard without griping or adding any fees. The only pressure was to upgrade the car (pretty normal) thinking that a Yank couldn't possibly live with such a small car, I suppose. But small is better in Ireland.

Rick

Very surprised of your experience with Kenmare' O'Donnabhains. We went there about three times for dinner while staying at a rental in Kenmare and, sincerely, nobody at the group ever had a bad meal. So sorry.

On the other hand, elated at your experience with HERTZ. I think they are tops.

I too used my Citi World Mastercard to cover the CDW, and it worked like a charm.

I agree that one shouldn't be afraid of driving in Ireland or England, and I was a 71-year-old woman when I went in 2006.

My only suggestion to those who would drive in Ireland is that you take off the hubcaps or have them fastened on, as we lost three of the hubcaps, presumably by brushing against bushes on those narrow roads. We stopped at an auto supply store and bought an new set. Avis graciously accepted the replacement set.

Hi Peg: Do you recall if there is still an age limit for renting a car in Ireland? There used to be, and since you admitted to being a 71 year old, I thought you might have noticed any limit. (I am older than you!!) thanks.

I think it depends on the company. I am now 73. I just arranged a rental in Germany and Austria, and when I asked Auto Europe if there was an upper age limit, the person I talked to said no.

Maybe it's different in Ireland. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember a 75 year old limit.

I would check with the individual company, just to be sure.

Not sure whether what you've read pertained only to a Citi MC (though I don't know why that particular World MC would be singled out) but we had no trouble using our BOA World MC to waive CDW with Dan Dooley.

CAPH52 - Does the BOA World MC also waive Super CDW?

Thank you for sharing about your experience with Hertz. I've been looking at their rates (through Aer Lingus) for my trip and wondered if there was a catch, like hidden fees that would show up later. The 'inclusive' prices just looked too low compared to the other companies. It's good to know you pay what they say!

Yes, jtmiller.

My husband and I also had good luck with Hertz (got a deal-not nearly as good as yours- when we booked our Aer Lingus flight). We were very pleased- no surprises and very friendly and efficient service at the rental car park.
We bit for an upgrade to a (manual transmission) Volvo sedan and we were very happy with it. Very smooth ride on every kind of road. It also had good trunk space- not that we had that much- but it was handy. I'd use Hertze again in Ireland.

Hertz was wonderful..but the guy at the counter said I probably was able to get such a low rate since I booked through Orbitz (same low prices on Expedia,etc..),
but I made sure to choose Hertz while on the Orbitz website. Then I followed up with a phone call to Hertz to ensure they indeed saw the reservation and price quoted by Orbitz. They did..and all was great!
So much for all the negative posts of BEWARE OF THE IRELAND CAR RENTALS!! you see on here. Amazing how a few negative comments can cause unjustified worry!
If you're planning a trip, go - relax and know that the price you are quoted IS the price you'll pay - and the driving is fun - NOT scary!
Cheers!!

memichele - did you get an automatic or manual. If manual, do you normally use a manual transmission? How did it go?

I have rented with Hertz (thru Expedia) at both Dublin & Shannon airports 5-times over the past couple years and have never had a problem. Each time I was billed EXACTLY what I was quoted thru Expedia, no problem and my rates were very good for the tiniest car I could get. I, too, use my World MasterCard. If your MasterCard starts with 5466 you can decline all CDW coverage. I have never brought "documentation", but I've never had a problem with the Hertz rental people. It's also worth it to call the World MC customer hotline for details on what your card covers and how to decline the CDW coverage. The customer service people are very helpful. After all, they want your business and you don't get a World MC if you're a credit slacker. I'm sure there are people out there with Hertz/Ireland horror stories...but I'm not one of them.

jtmiller95---i rented a manual. if you plan on driving on any of the back roads (most scenic in my opinion) you'll want a manual as some of them can be steep. i own an automatic volvo and it's been 20+ years since i've driven a manual. this was the first time to drive a manual with the stick shift on my left side. it was fun! driving was part of what made the trip great. if you've EVER driven a manual..it comes back to you within a few minutes..like riding a bike.
go for it!

clarebear05--i couldn't agree with you more. not sure what was the true story behind those writing the horror stories about ireland car rentals..but they simply aren't true.

Sounds like you had a great time in Ireland! Now you are hooked and will have to go back again.

Did your daughter ever get to a dance class while you were there??

I have a great memory of my daughter dancing at the Cliffs of Moher. It was a beautiful sunny day and there was a young woman playing tunes on the tin whistle. I made a donation to her hat and she played a reel for my daughter to dance to. I have a great video of her dancing with the cliffs in the background and she got a rousing round of applause from the tourists.

Does anyone have any experience with Dollar Rental? I bought a package from Expedia and chose Dollar because they had the cheapest automatic since I didn't want to attempt to shift gears left handed. I also don't have a World MC and would probably use Visa or AMEX. Thank you.