kraines

Did anyone get an International Driver's Permit for Ireland? I am trying to find out about that issue now. Thanks

mkdiebold

I quickly read through all the previous comments. No one has elaborated on just HOW narrow and harrowing the experience is of driving the "narrow roads" of Ireland. The roads aren't just skinny, but they are often lined on each side by stone walls covered with bushy folige jutting into the roadway. Pick your poison! Do you hit the wall or the oncoming jumbo tractor? The city driving conditions aren't much better. Roads are skinny and congested. Tour buses take up a lot of room. Many folks blow tires or lose hubcaps because of hitting the city curbs. I hate to be the black cloud, but my husband and I found driving in Ireland so stressful an experience that it nearly ruined our 2 week stay.

Jenski

I would highly recommend driving. I spent a week with my boyfriend driving around Ireland and other than a close call at a roundabout between Dublin and Belfast and driving on the wrong side of the road late one evening in the countryside (which we corrected after seeing someone coming at us in our lane-to which we first responded with "what is that person doing in our lane????&quot it was wonderful. You are free to explore areas you'd never see on a bus. Just constantly remind yourself to drive on the left-or put a note on your steering wheel! It's kind of amazing they let people not accustomed to driving this way just rent a car and go but hey. And since you will have a fellow traveller in the car I'm sure they will help you to remember!

allisonm

kraines, we have rented cars several times in Ireland and have always just presented our NYS license. (I should say "my husband's license", as I have never driven there!) He does a fine job, I am the (occasionally shrieking) navigator.

kittycatangel

My reply to MKDieBold

Yes, the roads are VERY Narrow and lined by stoned walls. This makes driving quite interesting.

ADVICE:
1. Rent the SMALLEST car you can get! SUVs are American dreams, not practical in the world.

2. Drive slow in the beginning, so you get used to it. Other people will pass you if u are too slow, but they don't get mad like in USA

3. Stop and pull aside, when a big tour bus comes by. There are tons of shoulders (ie empty spots) for you to pull aside.

4. Get as close to the wall as possible by gauging how much distance you have. For me, I just felt it was better to scratch car against the wall, then get hit by a upcoming car. FYI, we got into no accidents, not even one scratch.

5. Get full insurance, just in case you do scratch your car against the stoned walls.

6. Practice a little before driving

FYI, this was my FIRST time driving in another country and my FIRST time driving on the left and I had no problems, and no injuries to the car. I got full insurance and drove for 10 full days along the west coast. I even ventured out to Galway TWICE and that was fine.