markland

Ireland is on the short list of where we'd like to go end of September, early October. We'll likely do open jaw, either Shannon/Dublin or vice versa.

I'm trying to get a real picture of what the driving is really like. A few posts have described it as a "nightmare", so my idea of a calm drive through the countryside, with many interesting stops to see the sights, is seriously at odds with another picture of crowded tour buses clogging the roads and towns, stop and go traffic, and my blood pressure headed up to HERE! It's meant to be a somewhat low-key trip - we get more than enough heavy traffic during our rush hours (all day now), so I don't need or want a stressed out driver - no fun for him or me!

I'm just at the beginning stages of planning, so right now, I'm only familiar with the ring of kerry, cliffs of moher, dingle, galway, and of course a couple of nights in Dublin. I realize there's still lots to flesh out.

My husband can drive shift, and he's driven in Scotland and the UK before, albiet many years ago, and I know we'll want to get the smallest car we can. I've read lots of good things about Dan Dooley for rentals. The whole car insurance issue is another huge headache (for another day).....

I'm wondering what a realistic expectation is. Also Shannon/Dublin or the other way around, taking into account which way might be busiest for the buses? best for the sights?

I don't wish to worry unnecessarily, but I'm not looking for an unpleasant surprise either.

Thanks for any words of wisdom that come my way.

Ryan

The major roads aren't the challenge, it's the smaller roads through the countryside that can be a problem.

Relative to the US and Canada there just isn't the same amount of congestion and traffic. But, there can be a lot of curves in the road, blind curves at that.

I did take a bit of getting used to the left handed stick-shift.

I will suggest that after a trip to Ireland you will have a new appreciation for the round-about.

I will suggest that whether you start in Dublin or Shannon you not bother with the car in Dublin. You really don't need it and to be honest, navigating the roads in Dublin were pretty challenging as there were few road signs.

Michel_Paris

Standard car, check.
Driving on left, you will adjust
The issues seems to be...some roads will be very narrow, one and a half cars wide, so some dexterity is required when another car arrives.

And, since you will both be looking around the countryside as you drive, on a narrow road this can be a recipe for 'events'.

Good news is that you will not be motoring at 60 mph.

We adjusted for not going in same direction as Ring of Kerry buses.

Traveller51

We flew into Shannon a couple of years ago and drove to Dingle, Doolin and Galway. What makes the driving difficult is the constant attention you have to have when going through roundabouts, making left and right turns. Parallel parking is fun as well. I was glad I had an automatic transmission. It was one less thing to worry about.
The roads are narrow and there are not many wide shoulders like here in the U.S. Instead of a shoulder there is frequently a stone wall or a thick hedge. Pay for the super collision damge waiver where you have minimal responsibility for damage. There were many tourists we saw with dings and dents in the car.

Ryan

FYI, what made our driving a lot easier was an active co-pilot. Whoever was in the front passenger seat would tell the driver which was the correct exit from the roundabout. Gave the driver one less thing to be distracted by.

Pegontheroad

I didn't really have difficulty with driving in Ireland, though we did lose three of our hubcaps due, I assume, to brushing up against greenery by the side of the narrow roads. A couple of years ago, I had an accident in England because of not being used to driving on the left side of the road--and also because I was tired--but I had no trouble in Ireland.

I was advised to get a World Mastercard, as I was told it is the only card that covers CDW in Ireland. I did get a Citi World Mastercard, but I didn't have an accident, so I don't know if it really would have covered the accident.

We decided to avoid the Ring of Kerry, as we'd heard about the tour bus problem; instead we drove the Dingle Peninsula. We spent a couple of days in Dublin, then went to Wicklow,Kilkenny,Kinsale, Galway, Dingle, Westport, Tralee, Mulingar, and back to Dublin.

I wouldn't call any part of it a "nightmare," though we did get lost in a Gaelic-speaking area, since the names were in English on our map and in Gaelic on the road signs. If we hadn't happened across a Polish truck driver, we'd be there still.

Learn the rules for the roundabouts.

panecott

I drove in Ireland for a week after finishing a bike tour and had no problems - well, after the first day, at least. On the first day it took some getting used to driving on the left - even after 10 days of biking on the left - but after that it was fine.

I stuck to the scenic roads and occasionally got stuck behind a farm vehicle, but I don't recall any problems with buses.

I was alone and had no navigator.

rncheryl

We rented from Dan Dooley and have no complaints. Our first trip outside the US and we had some concerns:

Dublin: roads change names from one block to another. Next time would NOT have a rental car in Dublin. Never did find some of our destinations.

Rural roads: Narrow describes them. Like stick-your-arm-outside-and-touch-the-bushes narrow. Just watch those mirrors.

The infamous RoundAbouts. Build in time to be lost and turn around, double back.

Nevermind all of the above. Ireland is beautiful, and the people are friendly. Keep a good sense of humor and you will have no problems.

Trav_Eller

After driving through Europe, including Naples and Poland, I found driving in Ireland OK because I was already primed to be a bit cautious.

Others have mentioned the narrow back roads and roundabouts. As an Aussie the roundabouts aren't a worry. Just give way to all cars already on the roundabout and wait for a reasonable gap before you enter yourself.

Two things to be aware of. The first is drivers with L plates. The rules may have changed since I was there in '06, but at that time a driver could legally drive as a "Learner" their entire lives without ever passing a driving test. That led to some truly terrible drivers still being on the roads and was also part of the reason for the second point. Check the rental company very carefully for the insurance prices and rules. My cheap week's rental for the car was multiplied by four when the insurance was added; that was despite having travel insurance and gold visa and amex. Find out the true insurance cost before you go. Also inspect the care very carefully before accepting it and take photos of all blemishes and damage.

But still go. Just take it easy and use the rule I have used on all roads since I drove cabs in Melbourne years ago. I drive as a paranoid. I drive on the presumption that the other drivers on the road are all out to get me and the few that aren't are drunk or incompetent

crckwc1

We have rented cars and driven in Ireland on half dozen trips. Insurance -- definitely get a Citi WORLD Master Card (the only card that I know of that covers in Ireland). They will provide you a letter (if you specifically request it) stating that you are covered in Ireland. We usually rent through Auto Europe and, to comply with MC coverage, decline all insurance from the car rental agency. Once we rented directly from Enterprise.ie and they were extremely nice and gave us an upgrade. Many fodorites like Dan Dooley -- just check prices, etc., but plan to insure with the World Master Card which will cost you nothing.

longhorn55

Based on our two driving trips in Ireland, I would suggest that you pay the extra for an automatic transmission as opposed to a manual. My husband drove a manual transmission car in Australia for several years when we lived there, yet he said that he was really glad that I had rented an automatic for him to drive us around Ireland. He said it made for one less thing that he had to worry about when driving. Also, I agree that you should get the smallest car that you can. He was able to maneuver our little car around the bigger cars we came across on the minor roads we drove.

SusieKay

We spent two weeks driving around Ireland in the fall of '09. We had an automatic, no GPS, and really didn't have any problems. Though as someone else mentioned, you do need an active "co-pilot" to help read the signs as the driver is trying to stay out of the bushes on the narrow roads!. The freeways around Dublin are pretty much like major roads anywhere-multiple lanes-doesn't much matter that you are on the left instead of the right except when looking for the exit. In fact, we thought it was much easier than driving around England. The countryside is much more rural with less traffic and at a slower pace. Getting into and out of Dublin is like any big city, so we didn't pick up the car until we were ready to leave the city. We traveled through Kilkenney, Kenmare, Killarney National Park, Dingle, and Galway, then back to Dublin. We avoided the ring of Kerry based on Rick Steves recommendations, and loved the Dingle Peninsula. Don't think we saw but one or two tour buses. We've also driven on the German and Italian roads and much prefer the UK. Another plus is that most all of the signs are in English, unless you wander into some of the traditional Gaelic areas.

nytraveler

Traffic isn't the problem- there really isn;t any. You are much more likely to run onto sheep on the roads than tour buses.

The local roads tens to e very winding, very narrow and have tons of extrances and exits many of them blind. You need to assume that 30 mph is a top speed- and you may often have to stop for "farmy"tihngs happening.

If your H is used to driving a stick and had driven on the left before. Just don;t assume you can make any sort of speed - and don;t try to.

And their are a uge number of traffic circles where we would expect traffic lights.

irishface

I have driven in Ireland on many trips. I have often been on my own with no navigator or GPS, always stick shift. I do not drive in Dublin, but then I don't drive in cities in this country either. Just don't count on driving fast on country roads. slow down and enjoy the scenery. I don't find it a hassle.

If you fly into Dublin, spend your first few days there and you won't need a car till you get your feet on the ground and over jet lag. I find driving out of Shannon is much easier, but don't count on driving far on the first day.

Have a wonderful trip!

irishface

I have driven in Ireland on many trips. I have often been on my own with no navigator or GPS, always stick shift. I do not drive in Dublin, but then I don't drive in cities in this country either. Just don't count on driving fast on country roads. slow down and enjoy the scenery. I don't find it a hassle.

If you fly into Dublin, spend your first few days there and you won't need a car till you get your feet on the ground and over jet lag. I find driving out of Shannon is much easier, but don't count on driving far on the first day.

Have a wonderful trip!

daveesl

I love driving in Ireland. My only real complaint is due to the hedges next to the small roads it is a bit hard to see things sometimes. Having a good GPS really helps. Not taking along your 80 year old MIL also helps.

dave

flirtinfilly

daveesl, your post cracked me up! I am leaving in a week for my nephew's wedding (she's Irish!) and have my 86 year old Mom and my 83 year old Aunt as my travelling companions. After reading that side view mirrors were the most imported thing into Ireland, and checking out what the insurance would be on a larger car (because there are three I couldn't rent an economy), I opted out for a driver. No, "Oh, look at that," "watch out for.." etc. I can have a drink with lunch and relax and not worry about the darn hedgerows and roundabouts. Best part - it turn out to be about the same as the rental (without the insurace)!

Melissa5

markland: I see you've gotten a lot of spirited replies about driving in Ireland!

My answer is that while it can be tricky to drive in Ireland, if you plan carefully with lots of research, you could actually plan a relatively relaxing trip by avoiding the rougher drives, if that is what you wish.

After doing a lot of research for our first trip to Ireland, we decided to fly into Shannon, because it's easier to drive in that region, for a first-time Ireland visitor. Much more stress to try to drive out of Dublin.

In fact if you really want a scenic and relaxing trip, you could actually drive into and out of Shannon for your first trip, and avoid Dublin altogether.

We loved County Clare and County Kerry, and could easily spend the whole trip there! We avoided the Ring of Kerry due to the tour buses etc. The Dingle peninsula wasn't crowded at all. Also driving in County Clare was more relaxing, although there were lots of narrow country roads, there wasn't too much traffic.

I also loved Westport and County Mayo. County Mayo is less touristy and there wasn't much traffic.

You could also fly into Shannon, then see County Clare, County Galway, County Mayo...

We flew out of Dublin BUT we didn't actually stay in Dublin at all. We stayed in Malahide which is a relaxing village-type area outside of Dublin.

Our 2nd trip to Ireland is coming up in September, and then we will be actually doing the Ring of Kerry...staying in Kenmare for example for several days in order to do the Ring of Kerry and Beara peninsula.

so my answer is you can make your drives more relaxing, if you are careful where you choose to go, and if you don't expect to drive too far in one day.

Enjoy Ireland! It's so friendly with gorgeous scenery and lively Irish music. We love it.

wojazz3

The amount of tourism in late september and early October is down from the rush of the couple of months before so I wouldn't worry too much about the traffic. I think you've gotten some good thoughts her. A good co pilot is important on a 1st trip though the road signs have gotten better, it's still confusing in the roundabouts sometimes. I never use GPS there.

Bill

markland

Many thanks to all who took the time to reply.

We're also looking at London/Amsterdam.

There's lots to consider, and the shared wisdom of Fodorites is very much appreciated

Cheers.