Driving, Ireland

The roads in Ireland are VERY narrow. If you rent a car GET the extra insurance! It will ease some of the stress of driving on the narrow roads. Stone walls often line both sides of the road. See my picture? The area that looks like a shoulder is the lane for oncoming traffic. Trucks and buses are wider then their lane, you may scrape the stone walls to avoid them. Get the extra coverage!

Getting off the ferry at Dublin Port from Holyhead of Liverpool is one thing, and being prepared for rip-off Ireland is one thing , but finding the Statoil petrol station on the South side of the river is another.

If heading on the main road out to the west of Ireland , this is the first petrol station you come across without heading into the city backstreets. I know it is in an expensive part of towm, but charging 1.54 a litre for Diesel is positively OBSCENE (when the avergae price is arount 1.07). If you have left enough in your tank (I stupidly hadn't) thena few more reasonably priced plkaces appear after a couple more miles on the N4/6.

Check the 'going rate' on the internet before you leave.

UPDATE 2009: It appears that the petrol statio in question has changed hands and is now in line with the rest. prices are now around 1 euro a litre. It's still worth checking the price before you arrive.

When driving in Ireland's rural countryside take your time, and adjust your pace to the local rhythm. Remember that in these areas the sheep are the queens of the road, and around every corner there may be a sheep walking or standing in the middle of the road, trusting your good driving instincts. So, please, mind the sheep!

Driving on Ireland's narrow country roads is fun but also dangerous. Constantly winding between high hedges, visibility is often zero. There is usually only one lane in each direction, and no margins at all, so that the road does not tolerate careless drivers. Always keep to your lane (the left one of course!), and respect the white line dividing the road as if it was a stone wall: Around the next bend in the road cars will appear in the opposite direction out of nowhere and go racing past you. They will assume that their lane is free, and they will need every inch of it.
So, dear VT driver, please take care!

When driving along narrow country roads, be mindful that a ditch typically runs along either side. This can be troublesome for people who are not used to driving on the left side of the road, because they tend to not properly gauge how far over they are.

I think we learned a couple of lessons. Next time, we will try a self-catering cottage (with more than one room) and do day trips from there. That will accomplish two things. My husband will be able to get some peace and quiet after driving all day and our son will be able to run around a make noise (can't really do that in a B&B or a hotel).

The second lesson is don't drive in cities. If we plan to tour a city, then we will do that either first or last and either not get the car until that is over or turn it in early. In the city we can walk or take the local bus

In Ireland we drive on the left and not very well. I've driven in many countries but here is the first place I'm often afraid when I'm behind the wheel. We have one of the highest accident rates in the EU. Not surprising really with almost non-existent law enforcement and an estimated 100,000 drivers on the road who have NEVER passed a driving test. Scary!
Be aware of the Indicator Tax. There is a levy charged on use of indicators in a vehicle. Luckily most Irish people have well developed telepathic skills and don't need to worry about it.

Over the past year or so, the Irish police have been cracking down heavily on drinking and driving. The legal limit for blood alcohol level is pretty low as well. If you have any more than one or two drinks, you should probably find a taxi or a designated driver.

This can be difficult in the country where taxis are scarce, which is why many of the country pubs are closing. People have no alternative for getting home, and just stay home instead, rather than risk loosing their license...but this a rant for another tip.