Hi everyone! New to the forum. On my upcoming trip to Ireland, I'd like to travel from Galway center to a family heritage research center in Woodford on Thursday, June 21 (http://www.galwayroots.com/east/woodford-heritage-centre). I understand Woodford is about 14 miles from Loughrea. I haven't been able to find any bus service direct to Woodford, and I'm reluctant to drive (our trip is by train - I'm from the US and intimated at the "other" side driving). Does anyone have suggestions? Would it be possible to hire a driver for the day, and how much might that cost? Or would you recommend just braving the drive? Thanks for any ideas to get from one place to the next!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2825 posts
Many on the forum have recommended Tony McGann ... based in Doolin I think.
Tony McGann
(00353)(0)65-7074790
(00353)(0)87-2422950
tonyscabdoolin@eircom.net
If you're at all skittish about driving in Ireland a private driver might be your best bet. Getting in and out of Galway can be daunting even for experienced drivers.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3227 posts
I would recommend braving the driving. Ireland really is a country that you need a car. Don’t be intimidated! You can do it! Irish drivers are polite, just go slow and give yourself plenty of time to get places.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Such helpful suggestions! Thanks all! I really think I may try the drive.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2825 posts
If you decide to drive I suggest looking at the street view feature on Google maps to preview the sight picture from behind the wheel while trying to get out of town. There are a number of traffic circles to be negotiated which might be a bit tricky if it's your first time, and it might help to have seen them before trying to tackle them at speed. Once away from the city it should be easy driving on the 2 lane roads.
Once in the rural areas near Loughrea and Woodford you're likely to encounter some of the very narrow (ie one lane in places) lanes that will require approaching traffic to sort out who yields by using the pullouts. Can cause your heart to spike the first time it happens but it's really no big deal - the Irish drivers deal with it every day and will probably have pulled over to let you pass in the time it takes you to start figuring things out.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Great suggestion to use Google Street View, thanks.
Posted by
Florida
509 posts
Can't help with logistics (we had a rental car), but wife and I were in Woodford a few weeks ago. Her Irish ancestors came from Woodford so we made a detour en route to Connemara to see the village and poke around the cemetery. (Didn't get to the Heritage Center.) Chatted with the friendly folks in the pub where we had lunch. We asked if any were related to the Hickey clan. Neither the gents at the bar nor the owner were (although we were informed we'd missed a recent Hickey funeral); but when my wife's salad was delivered, the owner said the hard-boiled egg came from a local, free-range, hen who WAS a Hickey. Bon Voyage! We greatly enjoyed the Irish charm and humor. (We had no difficulty driving, btw; just took it easy. The typical Forum advice on car rental is: smallest car, automatic transmission, all the insurance. Our drive from Doolin to Woodford to Galway was well-marked with decent roads...no huge tour buses and few if any sheep on the road. I can send the route numbers for Galway-to-Woodford from our Atlas if you're interested. Just send a PM.)