How hard will it be to drive in Ireland?

Question

I will be traveling in June and am renting a car, an automatic!

Answer 1

Pretty tough really. They still got cobblestone roads; watch out for leprechauns crossing the road; and there's plenty of drunks on the road.

Answer 2

That depends on where you are coming from? If you are coming from the US and drive in a mainly urban area then you will find it very different! Many variables though. Obviously if you are renting an automatic then that's one easier thing. I'm not sure what Elf2002 means by "driver on the inside" of the road. You will be driving on the left side of the road and the driver's seat will be on the right side of the car, therefore the driver is in the middle of the road. One thing that will be strange if you are not used to doing so is overtaking especially at night,, also driving on little narrow country roads. And if you are from the US and you think the price of gas (petrol) is bad, wait til you see the European prices!! Also remember that the hood is called the bonnet, and the trunk is called the boot.

Answer 3

An automatic is more expensive to rent in Europe.  As for driving on the other side of the road, it's actually easier to be the driver than the passenger (I find).  As a driver, the controls are all where you expect them to be and you are on the inside of the road.  Just remember that the driver is on the inside, and it's not so hard.

It's probably hardest to back out on to the street in the right direction.  That's what always confused me.

Answer 4

TG for the automatic, at least :)

I refuse to drive when I am there; I let my friends do so!   As you know, you'll be driving on the "wrong" side of the road, then there's those darned roundabouts.   I think the German tourists must have the most problems though, as I saw signs in German all over the place reminding drivers to "keep left."

There's not one straight road in the whole country, either, and I think about half of them involve hairpin curves.   So do watch your speed.

We never hit any leprechauns when I was there, but you have to brake frequently for sheep standing in the road!

Enjoy your trip :)