What type of rental car did you get for the narrow roads in Ireland and did you like it?
Jan 24th, 2008, 12:49 PM
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Jan 24th, 2008, 01:50 PM
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I've been to Ireland three times, with the most recent being June 2007. I was really surprised to see quite a lot of larger size cars and suvs on the road since my previous trip in 2004. The roads are fine with everybody driving Micras, Corollas, etc, but not so good when a range rover, or the like come your way. One of our b&b proprietors was lamenting the trend for bigger, flashier vehicles over there.
For my trips in Ireland, I've rented a Ford Focus twice and a Toyota Avensis once. I think they are the perfect size. Easy to drive and park and not too small as to feel unsafe.
For my trips in Ireland, I've rented a Ford Focus twice and a Toyota Avensis once. I think they are the perfect size. Easy to drive and park and not too small as to feel unsafe.
Jan 24th, 2008, 03:38 PM
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It's been a while since my 6'6" hubby & I rented a car in Ireland, but while it was small (Fiat?), it was sufficient. We each had a good size suitcase + totes. Definitely suggest checking car reservation rates from US, can be cheaper. Many agencies have offices in Ireland. And try to get auto transmission, one less stress-point (other side of car, other side of road, etc). We stayed mostly on main roads so width was not a problem. Good Luck!
Jan 24th, 2008, 08:15 PM
#46
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There is no reason to be rude or disrespectful on this website. ("To the very small minority of visitors ...who come from insular, right hand driving, space wasting, countries and can't get it into their self-centred heads that they and their compatriots form a tiny (and rapidly declining) proportion of the world's tourists Ireland's roads may seem odd."
I am an Irish American, most of my relatives are still living in Ireland, but I'm a first generation American. We visited Ireland last fall. It's a beautiful country and we didn't run into any people with attitudes such as the poster above. The roads are scary if you're not used to narrow roads. Our Irish relatives drove with ease but drove fast on narrow roads and sometimes passed other vehicles at high rates of speed going around curves. It appeared to be the 'norm' because they are very used to the roads. Add to that dark roads with no lights in the country side, stone walls on either side, and it can be un-nerving. As others have said, you''ll get used to it and you'll fall in love with the country.
I am an Irish American, most of my relatives are still living in Ireland, but I'm a first generation American. We visited Ireland last fall. It's a beautiful country and we didn't run into any people with attitudes such as the poster above. The roads are scary if you're not used to narrow roads. Our Irish relatives drove with ease but drove fast on narrow roads and sometimes passed other vehicles at high rates of speed going around curves. It appeared to be the 'norm' because they are very used to the roads. Add to that dark roads with no lights in the country side, stone walls on either side, and it can be un-nerving. As others have said, you''ll get used to it and you'll fall in love with the country.
Jan 25th, 2008, 03:31 AM
#47
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Hi wrenwood,
As someone who has driven thousands of miles in the US and in Ireland, I have found the responses to your question very interesting. In my view kelliebellie’s “spatial relations” and your own follow-up post identified the real problem which is merely exacerbated by the narrow roads. Here is my twopence worth:
• Driving with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car (as distinct from driving on the wrong side of the road) is difficult, if not dangerous, until you get the hang of it as it makes you think the car is narrower than it is. Therefore, hug the white line in the middle of the road (if there is one) to make sure you don’t hit curbs, lamp posts, pedestrians, cyclists etc. or knock-off hub caps, wing mirrors etc.
• Get an automatic because not only are you not used to a stick shift but it is also on the wrong side of the car and you must learn to shift with the wrong hand – requiring concentration which you will need for navigating, going around roundabouts clockwise and, of course, managing your “spatial relations”.
• Hire a sat-nav with detailed, up-to date maps because not only are the signs inadequate but, in the tourist areas of the west, you will find that the few signs that do exist are in Irish only and your map is in English only – so when you get lost and compare a sign with your map……!! There is a signpost west of Dingle which shows the same road number going in two different directions – it is a circular road! Some Caribbean islands even have better signs (and that is saying something) but then they have worse maps, few sat-navs and many more pot holes.
• Since the Celtic Tiger you will find more big cars, more SUVs, too much traffic and traffic jams – almost everywhere.
• Finally, as regards narrowness, you will find that:
o Car spaces in the parking lots are narrower than in the US and too small for the SUVs and you.
o The main roads between the main cities/towns are wide enough and won’t give you a problem but the lanes are a little narrower than in the US.
o The narrow roads in the tourist areas are sometimes too narrow for you and a bus – and there are a lot of tour buses in the summer. The Conor Pass between Tralee and Dingle could be your worst nightmare if you meet a bus at the top – cliff wall on one side and small wall with large drop on the other and just enough room for the bus alone. But this is part of the vacation and will give you something to talk about over the few pints that night and to tell your grandchildren later. I still tell mine about the interesting(!) places I visited in the Broncs when taking an hour to drive/navigate from Harlem to Queens over the Triborough Bridge – there are difficulties in driving in the US as well.
o The compromise between comfort and narrowness is something like a Ford Focus. Anything larger than an E Class Mercedes would be a handful with your “spatial relations” over the Tourist area roads.
• This is not to put you off but to help you manage your expectations. I am off to St Lucia next week and my expectations are for getting lost on hair-raising, twisty mountain roads – much worse than Ireland can offer. But I know that if I have a long fuse, keep smiling and use the Blarney – I will have a great time. And that is also my final advice to you too and there is no better place than Ireland to have a great time.
As someone who has driven thousands of miles in the US and in Ireland, I have found the responses to your question very interesting. In my view kelliebellie’s “spatial relations” and your own follow-up post identified the real problem which is merely exacerbated by the narrow roads. Here is my twopence worth:
• Driving with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car (as distinct from driving on the wrong side of the road) is difficult, if not dangerous, until you get the hang of it as it makes you think the car is narrower than it is. Therefore, hug the white line in the middle of the road (if there is one) to make sure you don’t hit curbs, lamp posts, pedestrians, cyclists etc. or knock-off hub caps, wing mirrors etc.
• Get an automatic because not only are you not used to a stick shift but it is also on the wrong side of the car and you must learn to shift with the wrong hand – requiring concentration which you will need for navigating, going around roundabouts clockwise and, of course, managing your “spatial relations”.
• Hire a sat-nav with detailed, up-to date maps because not only are the signs inadequate but, in the tourist areas of the west, you will find that the few signs that do exist are in Irish only and your map is in English only – so when you get lost and compare a sign with your map……!! There is a signpost west of Dingle which shows the same road number going in two different directions – it is a circular road! Some Caribbean islands even have better signs (and that is saying something) but then they have worse maps, few sat-navs and many more pot holes.
• Since the Celtic Tiger you will find more big cars, more SUVs, too much traffic and traffic jams – almost everywhere.
• Finally, as regards narrowness, you will find that:
o Car spaces in the parking lots are narrower than in the US and too small for the SUVs and you.
o The main roads between the main cities/towns are wide enough and won’t give you a problem but the lanes are a little narrower than in the US.
o The narrow roads in the tourist areas are sometimes too narrow for you and a bus – and there are a lot of tour buses in the summer. The Conor Pass between Tralee and Dingle could be your worst nightmare if you meet a bus at the top – cliff wall on one side and small wall with large drop on the other and just enough room for the bus alone. But this is part of the vacation and will give you something to talk about over the few pints that night and to tell your grandchildren later. I still tell mine about the interesting(!) places I visited in the Broncs when taking an hour to drive/navigate from Harlem to Queens over the Triborough Bridge – there are difficulties in driving in the US as well.
o The compromise between comfort and narrowness is something like a Ford Focus. Anything larger than an E Class Mercedes would be a handful with your “spatial relations” over the Tourist area roads.
• This is not to put you off but to help you manage your expectations. I am off to St Lucia next week and my expectations are for getting lost on hair-raising, twisty mountain roads – much worse than Ireland can offer. But I know that if I have a long fuse, keep smiling and use the Blarney – I will have a great time. And that is also my final advice to you too and there is no better place than Ireland to have a great time.
Jan 25th, 2008, 06:05 AM
#49
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Foley, the replies have been "interesting" although why people have to get so judgmental escapes me. I don't think I am indulging in "wimpery" I'm just trying to be informed and safe.
I appreciate also your note about Conor Pass as that is the way we will go to Dingle. We will stay at Echo Lodge near Adare so that we are able to drive the pass during daylight. I was worried if we went to Dingle directly from Doolin that we would dawdle so much along the way that it would be late afternoon before we got to Conor Pass (and since this will be October, our daylight hours will be reduced) That happened to us driving to Heiligenblut Austria in the early evening. The fog was so thick the only way I could figure out where to drive was to keep my tire near the line in the middle of the road ( at least there was a line!)
I've found a huge wealth of information on this thread and other threads about driving in Ireland........ driving clockwise around the ROK as that's the way busses drive...... hubcaps......... gps........ cars......... signs....... distances....... vegetation hiding those hubcap-eating stone walls....... all very helpful! And we will check our credit card to see if it includes or excludes insurance in Ireland.
A sincere thanks to all the members who have shared driving experiences and helped me on this thread.
I appreciate also your note about Conor Pass as that is the way we will go to Dingle. We will stay at Echo Lodge near Adare so that we are able to drive the pass during daylight. I was worried if we went to Dingle directly from Doolin that we would dawdle so much along the way that it would be late afternoon before we got to Conor Pass (and since this will be October, our daylight hours will be reduced) That happened to us driving to Heiligenblut Austria in the early evening. The fog was so thick the only way I could figure out where to drive was to keep my tire near the line in the middle of the road ( at least there was a line!)
I've found a huge wealth of information on this thread and other threads about driving in Ireland........ driving clockwise around the ROK as that's the way busses drive...... hubcaps......... gps........ cars......... signs....... distances....... vegetation hiding those hubcap-eating stone walls....... all very helpful! And we will check our credit card to see if it includes or excludes insurance in Ireland.
A sincere thanks to all the members who have shared driving experiences and helped me on this thread.
Jan 25th, 2008, 06:52 AM
#51
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Wrenwood
I was going to correct you on that (as I had previously recommended counter-clockwise) but then thought I better look it up again myself. I found this in Wikpedia:
"The Ring" is a popular day trip and numerous bus companies offer trips during the summer months. As the narrow roads make it difficult for tour coaches to pass, all tour buses run in an anti-clockwise (or counter-clockwise) direction, traveling via Killorglin first. It is recommended that car owners travel in the opposite direction, going first to Kenmare to avoid delays caused by tour buses.
I still think the majority opinion is counter-clockwise however.
I was going to correct you on that (as I had previously recommended counter-clockwise) but then thought I better look it up again myself. I found this in Wikpedia:
"The Ring" is a popular day trip and numerous bus companies offer trips during the summer months. As the narrow roads make it difficult for tour coaches to pass, all tour buses run in an anti-clockwise (or counter-clockwise) direction, traveling via Killorglin first. It is recommended that car owners travel in the opposite direction, going first to Kenmare to avoid delays caused by tour buses.
I still think the majority opinion is counter-clockwise however.
Jan 25th, 2008, 07:22 AM
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I live in England, but have never been to Ireland. I have, however, driven many miles on narrow country roads in Britain, France and Spain, and know the adjustments one has to make when driving on the "wrong" side of the road.
I wonder if U.S. drivers are just not accustomed to all the conventions of driving on narrow and congested roads. You have to be ready to stop at any time. You have to know when to give way, and when to reverse to find the space to cross another vehicle. You have to know when and how to flash your headlights to communicate with another driver. You also have to get used to driving down the middle of the road - it is quite legal.
Other advice is to have a good map, and work out where other places are in relation to where you want to go.
I wonder if U.S. drivers are just not accustomed to all the conventions of driving on narrow and congested roads. You have to be ready to stop at any time. You have to know when to give way, and when to reverse to find the space to cross another vehicle. You have to know when and how to flash your headlights to communicate with another driver. You also have to get used to driving down the middle of the road - it is quite legal.
Other advice is to have a good map, and work out where other places are in relation to where you want to go.
Jan 25th, 2008, 07:23 AM
#53
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I guess it's whether or not you want to be meeting busses head on, or getting stuck behind them! 
Hopefully there won't be too many tour busses in early October?
Chartley, I don't think it is entirely that we don't know all the conventions of driving on narrow congested roads. Blinking one's lights, and finding a pullover are common on narrow back roads in the US (although they are not usually congested)
Our congested roads are usually wider. Like 4-8 lanes!
I think the problems are really a combination of many that have been mentioned. Narrowness, with or without congestion, and the spatial problems one encounters when driving from a different side of the car, on a different side of the road, in an unfamiliar country
I don't feel like I'm a real novice. I have driven scary mountain passes in Switzerland, Austria ( into Italy fom Obergurgl, can't remember the name) and the Rockies in the US and Canada.
I would say that at the heighth of tourist season Mt Washington, and Going-To-The-Sun Highway in Glacier National Park would be the most narrow AND congested roads I've driven.
I have driven congested narrow town and city streets in France, Austria, Switzerland, England and Germany.
And the most stressful was England because of the different side of the road and driver's seat differences.
I'm sure some people from Ireland or the UK might have concerns about driving over here in Washington DC or NYC or LA at rush hour on one of the 8 lane, multi level highways, or in the downtown areas. That would not be fun if you were driving on a different side of the road than you were used to! ( it's not fun if you're on the side of the road you are used to! )
Hopefully there won't be too many tour busses in early October?
Chartley, I don't think it is entirely that we don't know all the conventions of driving on narrow congested roads. Blinking one's lights, and finding a pullover are common on narrow back roads in the US (although they are not usually congested)
Our congested roads are usually wider. Like 4-8 lanes!
I think the problems are really a combination of many that have been mentioned. Narrowness, with or without congestion, and the spatial problems one encounters when driving from a different side of the car, on a different side of the road, in an unfamiliar country
I don't feel like I'm a real novice. I have driven scary mountain passes in Switzerland, Austria ( into Italy fom Obergurgl, can't remember the name) and the Rockies in the US and Canada.
I would say that at the heighth of tourist season Mt Washington, and Going-To-The-Sun Highway in Glacier National Park would be the most narrow AND congested roads I've driven.
I have driven congested narrow town and city streets in France, Austria, Switzerland, England and Germany.
And the most stressful was England because of the different side of the road and driver's seat differences.
I'm sure some people from Ireland or the UK might have concerns about driving over here in Washington DC or NYC or LA at rush hour on one of the 8 lane, multi level highways, or in the downtown areas. That would not be fun if you were driving on a different side of the road than you were used to! ( it's not fun if you're on the side of the road you are used to! )
Jan 25th, 2008, 08:41 AM
#54
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It also helps me to remember that a right turn in the US (which is only in front of one lane of traffic) is now like a left turn (against two lanes of traffic) and vice versa.
As we left Shannon airport upon arriving in the country my mother-in-law and her cousin were screaming at me for going the wrong way around the round-about, but I was actually going the correct Irish direction. That is when I decided to not let them touch the wheel. I had actually spent a week a few months before that driving on the "wrong" side in Grand Cayman, so at least I'd had some practice.
And when walking around and crossing roads, just look both ways. Just swing your head from side to side non-stop. Then you won't get run over. I have a picture of the streets in Dublin painted with signs to look the other way!
As we left Shannon airport upon arriving in the country my mother-in-law and her cousin were screaming at me for going the wrong way around the round-about, but I was actually going the correct Irish direction. That is when I decided to not let them touch the wheel. I had actually spent a week a few months before that driving on the "wrong" side in Grand Cayman, so at least I'd had some practice.
And when walking around and crossing roads, just look both ways. Just swing your head from side to side non-stop. Then you won't get run over. I have a picture of the streets in Dublin painted with signs to look the other way!
Jan 28th, 2008, 03:49 AM
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We've been to Ireland every year since 1999, as part of groups and as just the two of us. Over that time, I've always driven, every trip. Every vehicle was manual shift.
I've manouvered nine passenger (VW Carravelle, Mercedes Vito), seven passenger (Renault Grand Scenic), five passenger (Opel Meriva), large cars (Nissan Primera, VW Passat), mid-size (Opel Vectra, Ford Focus)and, once, a compact, Alfa Romeo 146 hatchback.
I've never lost a mirror, or done any serious damage beyond adding a scratch or two to the paint on the side (which I wasn't charged for). I've had to buy one tire -- hit a pot-hole, avoiding a large truck on the Killarney - Kilorglin road).
Yes, to American sensibilities and reverse perspective, Irish roads are way SMALL -- particularly for first-timers. I remember this past summer, as I was driving down to Baltimore from Skibbereen, thinking that they must have EXTENSIVELY widened the road, since I had driven it last. Turns out, that they hadn't -- I had just become more accustomed to the roads...
Over the years, I've driven clockwise (AGAINST the buses)on the Ring of Kerry (but it WAS April!), and into and through virtually EVERY type of road and town, from mountain path bohreens to the city streets of Dublin. It CAN be done.
Never-the-less, you don't want to get more car than you need -- parking spaces are smaller and petrol costs about $8-9 per gallon. Larger vehicle rentals also carry a hefty rental premium. so, too, does an automatic, but that is the one premium that you might decide is worth it.
The Ford Focus / Toyota Corolla would probably be a good compromise vehicle at the price point. That class is neither excessively large, nor unfamiliarly small.
Bob
I've manouvered nine passenger (VW Carravelle, Mercedes Vito), seven passenger (Renault Grand Scenic), five passenger (Opel Meriva), large cars (Nissan Primera, VW Passat), mid-size (Opel Vectra, Ford Focus)and, once, a compact, Alfa Romeo 146 hatchback.
I've never lost a mirror, or done any serious damage beyond adding a scratch or two to the paint on the side (which I wasn't charged for). I've had to buy one tire -- hit a pot-hole, avoiding a large truck on the Killarney - Kilorglin road).
Yes, to American sensibilities and reverse perspective, Irish roads are way SMALL -- particularly for first-timers. I remember this past summer, as I was driving down to Baltimore from Skibbereen, thinking that they must have EXTENSIVELY widened the road, since I had driven it last. Turns out, that they hadn't -- I had just become more accustomed to the roads...
Over the years, I've driven clockwise (AGAINST the buses)on the Ring of Kerry (but it WAS April!), and into and through virtually EVERY type of road and town, from mountain path bohreens to the city streets of Dublin. It CAN be done.
Never-the-less, you don't want to get more car than you need -- parking spaces are smaller and petrol costs about $8-9 per gallon. Larger vehicle rentals also carry a hefty rental premium. so, too, does an automatic, but that is the one premium that you might decide is worth it.
The Ford Focus / Toyota Corolla would probably be a good compromise vehicle at the price point. That class is neither excessively large, nor unfamiliarly small.
Bob
Feb 9th, 2008, 09:24 AM
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WOW. This is some thread. I am off to Ireland for a wedding leaving Texas on Feb 23. I land in Dublin on Feb 24 and must be in Kinsale on Thursday Feb 28. I am looking to drive maybe to the west coast and down to Kinsale....not sure about the route yet but I am thinking of renting a car.
It is only me so I am a little nervous about driving the country roads by myself. The tip on GPS (have to see if I can get one), looking for balding tires/dings in windshields, and folding in the mirrors are great. I have not driven on the 'other' (not wrong) side of the road but am a little nervous about driving on my own as a woman. Tips?
Suggestions on a manageable yet lovely route down to Kinsale as far as driving down (3.5 days)?
The hubcap comments make me laugh, I will most likely lose 2 or 3.
It is only me so I am a little nervous about driving the country roads by myself. The tip on GPS (have to see if I can get one), looking for balding tires/dings in windshields, and folding in the mirrors are great. I have not driven on the 'other' (not wrong) side of the road but am a little nervous about driving on my own as a woman. Tips?
Suggestions on a manageable yet lovely route down to Kinsale as far as driving down (3.5 days)?
The hubcap comments make me laugh, I will most likely lose 2 or 3.
Feb 10th, 2008, 01:07 PM
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Elisaegs, I have driven by myself all over Europe with no problem, including my first time in the UK. Although my brother-in-law wouldn't stay off the curb and wouldn't slow down and ended up flattening two tires, it's very reasonable to have no problems by (1) driving a little slower at first and (2) taking Foley's excellent advice, particularly about hugging the centerline (it's not as close as you think).
I also think if you or any opposite-sided driver renting in the UK knows how to drive a manual, it makes it easier to remember where you are and where you need to go, since the stick is obviously also on the "wrong" side. Takes a little getting used-to, shifting with your left hand, and does require that you actually have experience driving with manual transmission. If you go with automatic, just keep up the mantra in your head to drive right, look right (as literally opposed to wrong!).
We'll be following in your tire treads in May, but going the east coast via Sally Gap to Glendalough and then on to Avoca (primarily because I got hooked on Ballykissangel while I was working in the UK a few years ago and just have to see it). Supposed to be a lovely drive. On from there to the coastal road from Wexford to Hook Lighthouse before Kinsale. But that's all "book planning." I hope to get some recommendations nearer to the time, from Fodors folks who actually know if that's a good plan...
I also think if you or any opposite-sided driver renting in the UK knows how to drive a manual, it makes it easier to remember where you are and where you need to go, since the stick is obviously also on the "wrong" side. Takes a little getting used-to, shifting with your left hand, and does require that you actually have experience driving with manual transmission. If you go with automatic, just keep up the mantra in your head to drive right, look right (as literally opposed to wrong!).
We'll be following in your tire treads in May, but going the east coast via Sally Gap to Glendalough and then on to Avoca (primarily because I got hooked on Ballykissangel while I was working in the UK a few years ago and just have to see it). Supposed to be a lovely drive. On from there to the coastal road from Wexford to Hook Lighthouse before Kinsale. But that's all "book planning." I hope to get some recommendations nearer to the time, from Fodors folks who actually know if that's a good plan...
Feb 10th, 2008, 03:19 PM
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Great thread! We're headed to Ireland in May. Boyfriend is 6-3 and 250, and likes to overpack a bit. I'll check some of the cars mentioned and forward the thread to him, as he'll do the booking.
Can anyone add some driver-etiquette tips? These vary a lot by country. I don't think most Americans know what a flash of headlights means on a country road, for instance. (Here, it's the Escalade on your tail telling you to go faster.)
Can anyone add some driver-etiquette tips? These vary a lot by country. I don't think most Americans know what a flash of headlights means on a country road, for instance. (Here, it's the Escalade on your tail telling you to go faster.)
Feb 10th, 2008, 04:20 PM
#60
if someone coming towards you flashes their lights, they are telling you to come ahead. Like in a village w/ cars parked on both sides and only space for 1 car to get through - if the other car flashes, then they are telling you to go first.
