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Ireland in December - Re: Driving

Posted on 8/5/22 at 10:56 pm
Posted by Laugh More
Member since Jan 2022
3418 posts
Posted on 8/5/22 at 10:56 pm
First time time to Ireland and first time driving on the opposite side of the road (when I’m not being a jackass in my youth.)

I am not sure if it’s that big of an adjustment or not. Just curious on what some people struggle with early on and some possible advice.



TIA
Posted by Alyosha
Member since Nov 2020
9951 posts
Posted on 8/5/22 at 11:18 pm to
It takes some adjustments mainly in the city with all the road signs and traffic symbols, but country roads are easy.

Where will you be going?
Posted by OldHickory
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2012
10778 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 6:28 am to
Sheep are 5 points, leprechauns are 10.
Posted by tduecen
Member since Nov 2006
161246 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 6:49 am to
Start practicing now
Posted by Y.A. Tittle
Member since Sep 2003
109751 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 8:43 am to
A lot of the rental cars used to be stick shifts and that added a whole other wrinkle. I assume that may have changed.
Posted by Lsupimp
Ersatz Amerika-97.6% phony & fake
Member since Nov 2003
85447 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 9:13 am to
When I moved to Japan they gave me my company car and I was off. No problems because I was so keyed in and concentrating. The real trouble came when I moved back to the states and would have to consciously think about it.
Posted by VABuckeye
NOVA
Member since Dec 2007
38283 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 9:17 am to
Roundabout protocol is the toughest. The other thing is learning to look at the opposite lane for oncoming traffic than you are used to doing. It's not that difficult to adjust and particularly so if the steering wheel is on the opposite side as the drivers is on the middle of the road lane dividers as in the states.
Posted by WITNESS23
Member since Feb 2010
13816 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 9:24 am to
You'll pick it up pretty quick. What you don't get used to is hitting your blinker and the windshield wipers go off bc it's opposite too

The country roads are easier bc of less traffic, but they are very tight in places.

Enjoy Ireland! What's on the itinerary?
Posted by Sput
Member since Mar 2020
9110 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 12:23 pm to
After about 10 minutes your brain flips and it seems normal. Just always take a minute when pulling out of a parking lot and such.
Posted by GreenRockTiger
vortex to the whirlpool of despair
Member since Jun 2020
58845 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 1:11 pm to
It took my husband about 5 mins to adjust - but that’s bc he was shifting with his left hand

The roads are pretty good and there’s only bad traffic in the bigger cities. Cabbies are just as bad as they are here. People there can actually do roundabouts - and there are plenty - but driving was nice

Most of the people we ran across in the gas stations gave excellent directions
Posted by Laugh More
Member since Jan 2022
3418 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 1:33 pm to
Thank you all for the comments and advice. This is all pretty much how I was thinking about it

The wife is great at planning trips, so it’s my job to secure the practical aspects

Any other quirky things you noticed and/or had fun with in Ireland

We’ll be going to Dublin, Cork, Moher, and some other hiking places she’s found.
Posted by WITNESS23
Member since Feb 2010
13816 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 1:49 pm to
Just find some pubs in the afternoons and chances are they will have some live music.

The Irish whiskey museum was my favorite but Jameson is pretty good too.
Smithwicks is my go to beer over there.

The prison in Dublin is a good tour too.

Brazen head is a great pub, oldest in Dublin.

Enjoy!
Posted by Tigertown in ATL
Georgia foothills
Member since Sep 2009
30216 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 3:30 pm to
quote:

first time driving on the opposite side of the road


quote:

some possible advice


The left side of the car is closer to objects than you think. I nearly totaled a brand new Volvo sideswiping a trailer.

I had the insurance.
Posted by jbgleason
Bailed out of BTR to God's Country
Member since Mar 2012
19865 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 3:55 pm to
Just got back from 10 days in the UK. Went all over England and a couple of days in Scotland.

I was going to rent a car and drive about. Spent five days riding with a local (business part of the trip) and that quickly convinced me to use trains and taxis. They drive like crazy people and figuring out the roundabouts is easier said than done. I would advise against it.
Posted by Laugh More
Member since Jan 2022
3418 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 4:33 pm to
Yea, we’re gonna go ahead and grab the insurance as well.
Posted by Alyosha
Member since Nov 2020
9951 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 5:59 pm to
Make sure to check out Cashel and Cahir on your way to Cork (which wasn’t great in our eyes).

Do the Guinness Tour!
Posted by Laugh More
Member since Jan 2022
3418 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 7:34 pm to
In all fairness, we may not e en be going there, it I remember then name when she was laying it out for me

I’m super easy to please on vacations and generally like surprises, so I don’t usually get too much info before we go unless there’s something I really want to see.
Posted by Alyosha
Member since Nov 2020
9951 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 8:04 pm to
Sounds like you married a travel agent
Posted by lsumailman61
Gulf Shores
Member since Oct 2006
7944 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 9:28 pm to
We flew into Dublin on our Honeymoon with no real plans. Caught St Paddy’s day parade then headed to Cork, Cliff of Morhor and back to Galway. Booked everything on hotels.com app and used public transportation. Flew by the seat of our pants and had a wonderful time. Trains and cabs were super helpful since we were celebrating and it gave more drinking time leeway.
This post was edited on 8/6/22 at 9:29 pm
Posted by Laugh More
Member since Jan 2022
3418 posts
Posted on 8/6/22 at 9:51 pm to
I call her that for sure when we pick a place to go
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