April Ireland Trip- ANOTHER Revision / Question - easiest rental car return - Galway or Dublin?

You should be able to pick up a rental car at the train station in Cork. Driving out of the city from there isn't hard, as it's not a super busy area. And you can walk to the train station from just about anywhere in town.
Depending on what time you're flying out, I would just turn the car in the day of your flight.
If you decide to drop the car in Galway, the take the train to Dublin Heuston, transfer via light rail to Connolly to get the DART to Malahide. To get from the airport to Malahide will require a taxi/uber. Also, the train ride is much more pleasant than the bus ride.

G3rryCee,
Thanks, the Cork train station will be perfect!
You must not think the Dublin airport rent car return is confusing, then?
Thanks again!

It’s been years, but we returned the rental to the airport and took a bus into Dublin. The bus from the airport dropped us off at St. Stephen’s Green, near our hotel.

Bookmark the rental car return location to Google maps and follow its directions.

I didn’t think dropping in Dublin was terribly confusing. But you do need to mark it on your Google Maps - drop off is not at the terminal, but nearby. There is a shuttle back to the terminal for a bus - or you can taxi to wherever you want. I have done both. There’s also a handy gas station very close for that final fill up. But yes, definitely return the day before your flight.

In Galway, I have only rented for the day from the Budget near the bus station. Easy in and out.

When I returned my car to the Dublin airport, I was desperate to get rid of that thing. I HATED driving in Ireland and haven't done it since. I think what people comment on is that when you pick up the car at the airport, you're immediately confronted by a roundabout, which is one of the challenges of driving on the "wrong side."

We haven’t found the car rental return at Dublin airport to be confusing. As mentioned above, it’s not at the terminal. It’s about a 10 or 15 minute shuttle ride. Since your last night is in Malahide you might want to keep the car. It’s a very easy 15 minute drive from Malahide to the car rental return. If you do return the car before hand I think the Grand Hotel Malahide has a shuttle. You might need to reserve.

Thanks thanks thanks!

We just dropped a car off at Dublin airport 3 weeks ago. Didn't find it confusing.

This is a case of AI being completely wrong, when AI said the airport signage was poor. Kimberly, thanks .

As others have said returning your rental car at the airport is really pretty straightforward, but do note that the return lot is located along Swords Road about 10 minutes away from the terminals. The signage is OK, but it's always helped me to preview the route by using the Street View feature on Google Maps for a driver's-eye view of the roads, including the dreaded roundabouts, turns, signage in general, etc.