Satnav maps update
 

No point in telling me I don't need/want to take my GPS with me. I am taking it and I will use it.

In 2013 I purchased from Garmin the City Navigator Europe NT maps on a microSD. This was for my trip to Ireland, and I am going back in June 2015.

Any point in purchasing new maps this soon?

While I have lifetime maps on my Garmin, I am quite sure that this doesn't apply to new purchases (and I probably couldn't download updates to the data card).

I will also print off maps and driving directions from aaroadwatch.ie and I have the Ordnance Survey Road Atlas. I also have full confidence in my navigators.

I wouldn't think there would be many MAJOR changes. Galway city will probably NEVER have up-to-date info on the Roundabouts ( since they seem to be constantly changing routes and adding junctions!) :-)
Dublin seems to change some of their one-way street schemes every so often, too -- But that shouldn't matter as you have more sense than to drive In, Through and Around Dublin city center! ;-)
I believe that most of the major Motorways were completed by the time your current card came out so you should be good with that info.
Just keep a navigator watching for signs on the roundabouts, rather than follow the GPS instructions blindly -- every so often, they will add a exit that connects to a new business or housing estate -- meaning that what USED to be the "second exit" is NOW the "third"!
The maps on my Nokia from 2012 worked well for me last summer.

If your system shows the M6 between Dublin and Galway as far as Galway, the M7 and M8 then they are the newest completed roads.

As above use your paper map backup and do not blindly rely on a microchip.

Go raibh maith agat to my two favorite Ireland expert guys!

Not going anywhere near Dublin and the closest we will be to Galway is the road between Doolin and Shannonbridge. Cobh and Killarney are about the largest "cities" we'll visit.

Yes, IC, I learned about driving in Dublin early on.

Tony, we will touch down in Shannon at 8:40 a.m. on June 7. Allowing for ATM visits, collecting luggage and rental car, etc. we will be with you for brunch between 10 and 11 a.m.☺

jaja: Who is making THIS trip?
Glad you and Tony are making a meet up! Our planned meet with Tony fell through due to my horrific Vodaphone reception in 2013. Come to think of it -- wasn't that the same year that we failed to co-ordinate a meet as well, jaja???
Clearly the -- The failure (s) were on ME! :-(
Suspect the earliest we will be over home THIS year is September or Oct . . . :-(

Not by SatNav you won't :( You will get close (200 yards), then a 5 mile detour over the mountain, if you overshoot just 50 yards too far missing the other end of the lane you start the loop again.

Tony -- Given the scope of your contributions to Irish Tourism, either the County Council or the Dail should erect a REALLY big sign at the end of your lane!

There are 3 signs to the Townland at the end which is not on the Satnav, the end that is has grass growing in the middle and the old cast iron sign is probably hanging on someone's wall, along with the old green Wedge Tomb and Ring Fort signs?

I used to believe in GPS systems in Europe and the speed camera notification is one aspect I still like. However, now that i have an android phone with unlimited and included texting and data regardless of where I am, kind of a no-brainer for me.

IC, taking my son and his daughter this outing. After her, only one grandchild left (who hasn't been taken to Ireland) and she won't be old enough to appreciate Ireland for a while yet.

Obviously it's all your fault since we won't be meeting up again this trip either. I'm just joking with Tony, referring to my earlier question about where to have breakfast on arrival.

I'm feeling more comfortable about that first day now that I have a B&B booked and some idea of what to do when. We'll probably eat a bite at the airport and then begin the adventure.

Tony, finding you sounds like my experiences in Mallow. I have never been able to easily leave that town; you know you are lost when you start recognizing the rocks by the roadside. Mallow for some reason loves me and will not let me go. So I have solved that problem by avoiding it altogether.