Driving in Ireland

5 Things You Need to Know About Driving in Ireland

Have you considered driving in Ireland? I am sure you are thinking, driving is already stressful. Do I really want to add in driving on the other side of the road? Well, I am telling you that driving in Ireland is worth the effort. It is an experience that you will never forget and regret if you do not try it. I will suggest that you take the time to learn about the signs, rules, and laws before you go. Police overseas do not accept the “I didn’t know excuse”. Don’t let something so simple as a driving infraction ruin your whole trip. Instead, spend a few minutes learning what you need to know. Then you can drive yourself to all the great tourist destinations like Blarney Castle, Dublin or even an Irish goal in Cork.

Here are my top 5 things that you have to remember while driving in Ireland. I also added in several other tips to help you make the most of your Irish vacation. If you would like assistance in planning your Emerald Isle dream vacation contact me through Milestone Travels I would be happy to help you make milestone memories.


Number 1 – Get the Insurance


Buy the insurance it’s probably a safe bet that your auto company does not cover international. Also, it is not your driving you need to be worrying about, its the other guy! Even a wall can get you if you are not careful, Ireland has some very narrow roads! I speak from experience here, I opted out of the insurance for my England trip. I did brush a wall and had a very small scratch on the plastic fender protector. However, as we entered the motorway that plastic broke loose and I had to call for road service. The man fixed it with duct tape and in the end that $40 part cost me over $500.

It is better to just pay that small fee for the added protection that should something happen you will be ok. No one wants a large sum of their vacation money to go to something so silly as a rental repair.

Driving in Ireland


Number 2 – Avoid the Bigger Cities


You do not want to drive in the bigger cities, meaning Dublin! The driving in Dublin is almost as bad as New York! Parking is at a premium and very limited. Do your research to see if your accommodations have free parking before booking. I highly suggest that you turn in your rental and use public transportation. You will find many options to get around while in Dublin. The hop on hop off tour buses tours are a great way to get around and get a bit of history too. The city buses, taxis, bike rentals are other great options. Then there is always walking and Dublin is beautiful to walk.

I suggest saving Dublin and other larger cities for the last part of your trip. If you are staying in a bigger city ask your accommodation host or concierge the best way to get around. If you have tours booked see if pick up is available from your location.

Driving in Ireland


Number 3 – Share the Road


Part of driving yourself in Ireland is for the experience of the unexpected. Ireland does not disappoint on this one, at all. If you are from America herds of sheep are not something you see. Let alone a herd of sheep causing a traffic jam. So fair warning, expect the unexpected. Keep your eyes open and your speed down. You never know what might be around the next corner. In Ireland, the sheep and cows rule the land! The sheep literary outnumber the people!

Between the wandering sheep and cows keep in mind the narrow roads and bridges. I found many where only one car could pass at a time. Also, hairpin curves and turns will keep you on your toes. Even with the narrow roads, you will see numerous tour buses and they are not small.


Number 4 – Know Your Fuel


Diesel is the norm in Ireland and if you are not careful you will use regular gas. The gas pump handles are not marked as well as they are in the US. Plus they are not different sizes nozzles, here in the US the diesel nozzle visually different. When you visit different countries you will find that all the fail-safes that the US has in place will be missing. This is one of those times and it is paramount you pay attention.

So even though this one may seem simple, it could cost you a lot if you were to use the wrong fuel! Here again, I speak from experience, I almost used the wrong fuel. For me, it was just because I grabbed what I have used my whole adult life. Luckily for me, I noticed before I started pumping. Still, that would have been a very costly accident. Here I advise you to read your car rental agreement, using the wrong fuel is not covered.

Also, keep in mind they pump by liters and it ends up costing more. Check this link out to see the price of diesel in Ireland, GAS. It usually comes in between $5 – 6 a gallon. So when you start budgeting for your dream vacation make sure you take this cost into consideration.

Driving in Ireland


Number 5 – Explore


I can’t stress this enough, have fun and explore! Don’t be afraid to drive in Ireland it is different but in the end, it is still just driving. Driving on the opposite side of the road may seem intimidating. Still, you will surprise yourself at how easily your brain can adjust. Just remember you are not in the US, there are bikes everywhere, even on the motorway (Irelands expressway). Also when you are on the back roads there is little to no shoulder, the cars are smaller so the lanes are narrower.  

Use your GPS or map app on your phone to get a feel for where you are going. Most rental cars have some form of GPS, if not invest in a portable wifi device so that you can access your maps, even in remote locations. I recommend Roaming man for wifi connections, I have used them numerous times and love their service.


Final Thoughts


If you are like me planning to visit Ireland is a dream come true. Put the time into research everything, the more you know the better you will enjoy your trip. Here are some ways to help you save for this dream vacation. I always get a journal and keep all my research and thoughts in one place. The 5 tips in this article will help you with your planning strategy.

Ireland is a beautiful country and you can’t see it all in one visit. Pick your top must-sees and maybe a few off the beaten path places. My sons and I found an off the beaten path attraction in Roscommon, Oweynagat. This was a very unique experience and one I would highly suggest. That is as long as you do not suffer from claustrophobia as I do. I enjoyed the tour guides stories and histories he shared. I just could not go into the underground cave. If you do I would love to hear your experience! For more peeks into the Emerald Isle check out this link on youtube.

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4 Comments

  1. So glad you stopped by! Yes it seems that each country offers their own challenges for us Americans. I have yet to go to Spain but it is on my list thanks for the advanced information!

  2. Great article on driving in a country on the opposite side of the road! When we went to Spain we rented a car, it is not on the opposite side side of the road, but we were amazed at the difference in their roads and ours, from getting in and out of gas stations, paying tolls, and getting on and off the freeways…totally a different way of driving!

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