My husband and I are starting our trip in Belfast, then picking up a car to drive to Kilkenny and Dingle before returning it in Shannon. To avoid a hefty charge for picking up/dropping off in different countries, I'd like to take the train from Belfast into the Republic, then pick up the car. in Dundalk, Drogheda, or some other convenient place.
I'd love to hear from someone who has done this---where would be the easiest place in the northern part of the Republic to go by train and pick up a car, preferably at the train station? I'd like to avoid Dublin, since the train station is in the city center and I'd rather avoid heavy traffic while we are getting used to driving on the left!