We are a group of 6 adults traveling with 3 golf bags and 6 pieces of luggage and are trying to decide if we should drive this size car in Ireland. (A 9 passenger has been recommended by Conn rental) Our other options, knowingly more expensive, are to hire a driver point-to-point with local tour guide for Dingle Peninsula and local driver in Kinsale to Cork golf course; hire a driver/tour guide for the entire trip. We will be in Ireland from Sept. 19-26. After hearing awful stories about car insurance and the narrowness of the roads, any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Posted by
381 posts
Would it be possible to fly in and out of Shannon which is a much easier, smaller airport to navigate and also eliminating the need to drive across the country? Our experience, after several trip to Ireland, has been that whoever is driving will not be able to relax and enjoy the scenery. If you have someone in your group who is confident with the roads in Ireland, driving on the left hand side of the road, and shifting with their left hand, it may be their decision to make. The Dingle Peninsula is spectacular .....enjoy Ireland and hit them straight!!!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23600 posts
A 9 passenger car is a bus.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Could you get two smaller vehicles instead? Not only will this be easier to maneuver, but it gives you a lot more flexibility; for instance, to split up for a few hours if desired.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2976 posts
Unless money is no object for you I agree that you're probably better off splitting up your group into two vehicles rather than trying to cram everyone into a 9 passenger van. Although you wouldn't have any difficulty negotiating the Motorways and the N roads, once you turned off onto one of the rural R or L roads it would get pretty exciting for the driver (for everyone come to that) - the rural roads tend to neck down to a single lane in places requiring use of strategically located pullouts to allow opposing traffic to pass. It's no big deal once you get the hang of it - the locals deal with it every day - but for visitors unfamiliar with the rules of the road it can really cause your heart rate to spike a few times before you get comfortable with it.
Looking at the cost of the 9 pax van on the Conns website I have to believe that two cars, even if they have to be full size to accommodate your bags, would still be the cheaper option, not to mention the convenience involved in not being tied to a single oversized vehicle like the van.
To preview what you'll be getting yourself into, take a look at the street view feature on google maps to check out some of the roads you'll be driving - that may very well help drive your decision.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for your replies. They are very helpful in deciding what to do. Really appreciate them. They will be a great help in making the final decision about traveling around Ireland.
Posted by
Killarney Co. Kerry Ireland
75 posts
I would suggest a private driver / tour guide
look at killarney tours and taxi or walk with me tours
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you. That is what we are considering.