Traveling to Ireland in April and I'm afraid to drive......?

Question

I've never driven on the left hand side of the road, I'm afraid it will freak me out. Also not knowing how crazy people may drive over there. Should I be concerned or should I just try it??

Answer 1

I'm a native Dubliner and would encourage you to drive but (a) avoid driving in the centre of Dublin by booking your accommodation in the suburbs or beyond (b) use a hire car to drive around the glorious countryside, avoiding cities if possible.

Remember to leave plenty of time - while two points on the map might be 60 miles apart in the countryside, it might take something like two hours, simply due to our winding and beautiful roads. Part of the Irish experience is experiencing a slower pace of life and time to relish it!

I write and publish a website about Dublin but it also includes information relevant to Ireland as a whole. I have a section entitled "Driving tips" - the url is my source below. I hope you find it useful.

Answer 2

I once went to Belgium and had to drive on the right for the first time - I told my brain to switch over and it did.

You will be fine. You don't say which part of Ireland you're going to which would have helped. People could have told you whether that part was quiet and where you could have had a bit of a practive before actually going on the 'big roads'.

the fatalities are usually because people pull out suddenly to overtake after driving up your behind - or overtake on the brow of a hill. (usually idiots do that - the majority of drivers are good).

You must always be aware that a dog, sheep or cow could run into the road.

When you have driven for a couple of hours you'll be used to the hire car and have more confidence. Most rural roads are easy as they are long with no traffic lights (bliss), but roads are narrow, which if you aren't used to can be a little scary. Just take your sweet time; those that want to pass you will.

The Irish people are a very friendly bunch so don't be surprised if a strange driver gives you a wave. It's natural.

Enjoy your time in Ireland - you'll be wanting to go back there believe me.

Answer 3

I visit Irelland once a year from the US. I'm an older person and it takes me a wjhile to adjust. Here's what I do. NEVER drive in tDublin, Cork or Galway.. Get your rental car from Shannon or Cork airport. It is easiest to start out driving out of Cork airport but usually not feasible. When driving from Shannon there is a little side road to the left of the airport road. I think it may be 47 check your map, It eventually merges onto the main highway into Ennis if you are heading to Clare. Using this road gives you a chance to get used to driving on the left. Drivers are pretty nice in Ireland so just slow down and don't worry who is behind you but do let people pass at every opportunity. Also beware when you stop somewhere like at a store and then leave. That's when you are apt to forget to stay to the left when you pull out. Talk to yourself when you go through the round about and slow down. Also I try to start out early but most of the roads aren't that busy. Oh and I travel OFF SEASON. I don't think I would drive during the tourist season. Too many people like me on the road.

Answer 4

It really depends on the person. My father drives here quite easily, my mother needs me beside me to keep reminding her to drive left (both are from the continent, so used to driving on the right). If you're alone and insecure about it, I wouldn't do it - the insecurity won't do you a lot of good. If there's someone beside you who can watch the road and remind you (if necessary) to keep left, you should be ok. After a couple of hours or days you will be used to it.

I personally find most Irish drivers to be driving quite unsafely and this probably has to do with the fact that many of them don't even have a full drivers license. They drive fast, and especially in the weekend drunk driving is really a problem. That said, I have never had any bad experience with driving in Ireland. If you're careful, you should be fine.

It is possible to travel Ireland using only public transport, I did it myself. However, buses don't go everywhere, so you might not get to see everything you want to see. Get a good guidebook in advance (I'd recommend the Lonely Planet) so you can do some research and see whether you really need that car.

Enjoy your holiday!

Answer 5

Well getting around ireland without a car is a pain to be honest our public transport is a joke. I am originally from Dublin but I live in the states now with my american husband and kids.
I love Ireland and miss it a lot but you WILL need a car there is lots to see and if you are from the states you will find everything is relatively close driving from north to south takes about six hours so its nothing.
We are fairly relaxed drivers but there have been a lot of fatalities on our roads in recent time.......so our laws are now very very strict,so make sure everything is in order.
Get a little practice before leaving the airport and you'll get the hang of it very quickly.
My husband and I have a house over there and a car, it always takes me an hour or so to get back into it but similarly when i come back to the states its the same deal.
Good Luck and Safe driving.

Answer 6

Trust me, Irish drivers are sane compared to, say, Mexico City.

As an American who rented a stick shift more than once in both England and Ireland, I can say that after the first day it all feels pretty normal. Automatics are available though, and if that is what you are used to, by all means reserve one. It will give you one less thing to think about.

I agree with those who say that if you are staying in a city, rely on public transport. If you're going to explore, do take it slow and easy. Some country roads are very narrow and twisty and coming round a curve you may likely find a cow or flock of sheep in the middle of the road. Happens all the time.

Check with your credit card carrier before you go. Renting with a credit card used to mean that you were covered for insurance and could waive the extra charge for insurance that car hires want. But make sure - that may have changed. If you are covered by the credit card, you can save some money by waiving additional insurance.

Answer 7

Hello,
Driving in Ireland is really quite easy, you don't say whether you are bringing your own car, or renting a car on your arrival.
There is a drivers guide on the internet, and wouldn't be too difficult to find. but my advice is to get a book copy from the shop on the ferry, and everything you need to know is contained within its covers. things like If you are driving a lright handed car, your headlamps will need adjusting to cater for the fact that low-beam is biased to the left side of the road, and the gear shift is going to be in your right hand.
may I advise you o watch your speed too. for there are not many fast roads in Ireland, but there is a motorway system around DUBLIN, WHERE THE SPEED IS MARKED AT 70 MPH. and the gards ( police.) will stop you is you exceed that limit mentioning Dublin, this is the most difficult city to drive around, as most people are usually in a hurry and will cause you some distress, but just take it easy, driving on the left will soon become second nature to you. but anyway, good luck to you and happy motoring, go on, go ahead and give it a go, you might even like it, it is strange at first, ..........................Tony M

Answer 8

I lived there for 2 years and never drove, but then, I lived in Cork City Centre so there really wasn't need. My Dad did rent a car for the week when my parents were visiting though. Seems like the worst part is intersections. You really have to get it in your mind which lane you want to be in which way to turn. That's the only time my Dad really got nervous.

There are some crazy drivers in Dublin but it doesnt' seem to be so bad around the rest of the country, though there ARE a lot of winding, narrow roads, which can be kind of scary at times.

Good luck, and enjoy Ireland. I certainly did!

Answer 9

U cud take public transport or if u wnt 2 drive ! the drivers over ere can b a lil crazy u'll b fine! As long as u remember 2 stay on the left hand side of the road!!!!

Answer 10

I've been to Ireland 3 times and like you, I have been afraid to drive on the left. Each time I've visited, I've used their bus system. It's called Bus Eireann. The buses are very nice (more like tour buses, not like most city buses) and inexpensive. They go to just about anywhere in Ireland that you could want to visit. Just about every city has a bus station where you can get information and purchase tickets. They are clean and safe. It's also nice to let someone else do the driving, so you can actually relax and site-see instead of fighting traffic.