Ireland trip with mobility issues

1. I don't have Verizon but if it is like AT&T, there will be some sort of international day pass that would give you cell service. If you will use your phone every day, you may want to get a monthly pass. Others here download maps the night before when they have access to wifi. I'm sure they will chime in with how that works.

2. Depending on the rental agency you may get a car with a transponder that will automatically record tolls. The rental agency will then separately bill you. There are some toll roads for which you would have to go old school and throw change in the bucket. Conns Ireland is a Hertz franchise that has transponders. Note that if memory serves, the M50, which is the major motorway by the airport only has transponders and failure to pay the toll by 8:00 PM the following day can lead to fines.

3. Most folks like to have 100-200 Euros before they arrive in Ireland. With notice, AAA will get you some before you leave. Their exchange rate is pretty good. Otherwise, get Euros in Ireland at the ATM.

4. I haven't been to Ireland since the pandemic.

5. Heritage Ireland manages most of the historic sites, https://heritageireland.ie. Click on any of the sites and you will see a tab for facilities. The facilities tab will list what is accessible by wheelchair. I know you can walk short distances but the accessibility will tell you whether there are ramps and paved areas.

6 and 7. I have to think about that.

Congrats on your first trip to Europe! I can help with a few of your questions. But a few thoughts before that: have you considered flying into Shannon and flying home from Dublin? I wouldn’t recommend driving (on the opposite side of the road) right after an overnight flight.

1. You need to activate the International Plan on each of your cell phone lines before your trip. On the Verizon app, there is a way to verify that your phone will work. I think it’s under plan add-ons. Once you arrive in Ireland, as soon as your phone tries to connect to data, you will be charged $10/day per phone that is using the plan. You’ll receive a text that your plan has activated. I would have a paper map, don’t always rely on an app.

2. I don’t know anything about tolls

3. Get euros at a bank atm in the airport. Not a currency exchange. You could get a smaller amount in advance from your local bank, but you’ll pay a fee. Your bank might need advance notice. I use credit wherever I can. Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Notify the credit card of your travel plans (some don’t require this anymore). Always pay in euros (not dollars) to avoid a conversion fee (the stores will ask how you want to pay). Always have some cash for places that don’t take credit.

4. Just use the address of your first hotel.

5. ?

6. Consider flying into Shannon instead of Dublin to already be on the west coast on day 1. Then head to Dingle on day 2. We enjoyed Kinsale on the south coast.

7. You won’t be seeing Dublin at all? Or maybe taking a taxi into the city on 4/2?

1. I had no issues with Verizon. I turned on the international package before I left. It works on a 24 hour clock. Meaning, you use it, and it starts a 24 hour clock on that day pass. My friend was on AT&T. We both have unlimited data plans and had no issues with texting or using maps.

2. As the navigator, I was ready with change in hand as we approached a toll booth. The driver would toss it in as we went by. I don't remember any tolls, though, outside of our drive to Belfast.

3. I use my travel credit card - it does not charge an exchange rate. We get about $200 from our US bank before heading out, just for tips, etc. I buy something at the first few convenience stores as soon as possible to break the bills and get some change. Plus, that gives us snacks on hand, which saves on overall expenses. This is for any county we visit. I also check if our bank has an agreement with another bank in that county, which is another way to go. Sometimes I do need to use an ATM, and it is never an issue or overwhelming expense.

4. Haven't visited since covid

5. I had no issue finding things to do without stairs. The uneven surfaces were a bigger issue, so chose your shoes carefully. Which I am sure you already do. Even the places with stairs usually had just one set. I was even able to explore Giant's Causeway, just didn't walk far out onto the rocks. So, short answer is there are too many options to list that are still available to you. I would look at self-tour locations over guided, as you already figured out. The Trinity College Tour would be an exception. There was not a whole lot of walking. But, chock full of fun information.

6. Galway and Parknasilla Resort are our two stops this next trip. We like to park and not need our cars for a least a day for restaurants and sightseeing. Both places fit that bill. For example, we have a boat tour leaving the Galway Harbor to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aryan Islands. As much or little walking as we feel up to.

7. We stay at one of the hotels at the airport, and take care of the rental car the afternoon before our flights. I do remember we had to sign up for the shuttle the night before to reserve a space since everyone else was doing the same thing.

1. I activate the TravelPass on my Verizon phone and then I can use it like at home. It worked fine for navigating.
2. We paid cash for some tolls but others were billed as part of our car rental. Ask when you rent (as an aside we rented through gemut.com, great service. Be sure to get full insurance, it's easy to get a scrape or damage a mirror on the narrow roads)
3. I just hit the ATM at the airport to get a little cash. I pay for everything possible with credit card. Get one with no foreign transaction fees
4. Just use the address of your first hotel
5. ?
6. ?
7. We stayed at the Maldron Hotel at the airport the night before our flight in September last year. They had a shuttle and getting tested right outside the airport was easy. We walked to the testing center from the hotel (Google calls it a 6 min walk, 500 meters), maybe closer to shuttle to the terminal and walk from there.

I appreciate each of your responses. They have been so very valuable and comforting.

Toll: I called the Toll authority at +353 818 50 10 50 (also, https://etoll.ie/driving-on-toll-roads/information-for-visitors/ ) and received the following guidance. Since it would be rented car I cannot create a Toll Tag Account until the car is rented. I have a car rented through Expedia and Priceline. If the transponder is offered, I will take it. If not, I have to call each night and ‘pay’ for all toll usage. This has to be done by 8pm the next day. They will accept a debit or credit card to charge the toll.

Car rental and insurance: Can someone please guide me what I should ask for specifically when I get this ‘full coverage’? I have 'full coverage' with Geico. Any experience using Geico overseas?. I plan to call gemut.com (thank you, Patricia) and Conns (thanks Trotter) and figure out the best overall deal. Are any other rental agencies I should be looking at?

COVID testing: I understand that the CDC approved tests include the EUA home test or the viral antigen test. We plan to carry a couple of home test kits (try it once at home first). The viral test is approx 35 Euros at a Irish Government authorized location in Dublin. They do this between 9-2pm since April 2nd is a Saturday. Results are available in an hour. I am hoping that this testing requirement is removed before we return to the US!! For current info please track it here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html#anchor_1635127081
British Airways asked me to monitor restrictions at a https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

I bank with Chase Bank who told me that they could get me Euros in 2-3 days. It's interesting to note that a US bank would have a collaboration with a bank in Ireland. In case I hit a Toll booth with a barrier which requires change to be tossed in- what Euro denominations are available in change/coin form. I’ll probably have to get some coins at a store. Chase did tell me that they would NOT take change back in exchange for $s after we return.

We are a month away from travelling. It’s a mix of nervousness and excitement. Still, lots of unknowns. We’ll thrive and enjoy it! I plan to post more questions and thank you travelers for your time and enthusiastic responses.

Euro coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, €1 and €2. There are no 1 or 2 euro notes.

I was lucky that my German neighbor had leftover Euros that I bought. So you can see the range of Euro coin and bills look at this website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/pdf/other/euroleafleten.pdf?c3b62449c42a5811541b40fc8ac06e68 Be aware of the subtle changes between 50cent, €1 and €2 coin so you don’t get shortchanged.

As for toll roads, when I drove in Italy, I had a baggie of mixed coin. One toll booth was manned, the other automatic, I just pulled out the change the display said that I needed. Not hard even for a novice but I was terrified before our trip. I’m thinking Ireland is similar. When I drove in Ireland in 1992, there were no toll roads. Be sure to get in the cash lane not credit. This website may help you https://etoll.ie/driving-on-toll-roads/information-for-visitors/

Be careful renting through 3rd party vendors for anything. The forum if full of complaints and problems.

EDIT to add: Your driving time will always be longer than you anticipate. Roads will be slower and many in the outlying areas will be 2 lane and curvy. You also need to allow for potty breaks, snacks/food and sightseeing along the way. The best stops we found were down country roads with just a small sign: a 300 year old woolen mill, a derelict monastery, a memorial to Michael Collins near Bandon. Don't rush; take time to enjoy your trip.

If this is your first trip to Europe, then you may not be aware that driving immediately after getting off your flight is not a good idea most of the time due to jet lag. Add in that you will be driving on a different side of the road than you are used to in an unfamiliar setting, and you have increased the risk factors significantly. Consider spending that first night in or near Dublin and get a good night’s rest before heading out for major driving.

Make sure you have a proctored (telemedicine) home test for the trip home.

6 pack. https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en
2 or 3 pack. https://store.optum.com/royal-caribbean/

I have 'full coverage' with Geico. Any experience using Geico overseas?.

I suspect, with 99.99999% certainty, that Geico, nor any other US auto policy, will provide coverage anywhere but the US and Canada. And many credit cards that offer coverage for rental cars exclude Ireland, (and a few other countries.)

You can buy 'full coverage' form the rental agency, or explore alternative sources such as this
https://www.rentalcover.com/en-us/payment/7O4M-7525-INS

No personal experience with the above noted entity, but doing a search for "rental car coverage in Ireland' brings up many options, this but one of them.

Many of the roads in Ireland are bordered by hedges sometimes making it difficult to see what might be around a bend. ( Lorry, sheep, walkers, bicyclist).

You will be driving on the opposite side of the road than you are used to. Takes a few moments to readjust you mindset and you’ll need to get a handle on roundabouts.

The main highways like the M7 are well maintained and unencumbered by hedges. Use the street view function on Google maps to see what I’m talking about.

I’ve driven the entire island twice and I’m including Northern Ireland in that statement. One rental vehicle was small with a clutch, the other a mid size automatic. Whatever rental company you use Be adamant you MUST have an automatic! AND yes buy the insurance. Better safe than sorry.

On one trip 3 of us were driving in a small hatchback into a small village. There was a soccer match happening so vehicles were parked willy nilly on both sides of the one lane road. My friend was driving. I was in the passenger seat. We were precariously close to the vehicles and boom. The side view mirror on the driver’s side of the car was knocked off. We pulled over and within minutes about 8 people were there to view the damage, find something to secure the broken mirror AND most importantly invite us into the pub for lunch, conversation and a pint. This was during the Reagan years and they were all interested in discussing him. We’d gotten ALL of the insurance offered so our busted side view mirror was covered.

As noted in Ireland you’ll use Euros. In NI you’ll need British Pounds.

I’m old school and still use a paper map as a backup when driving in the UK. If car is equipped with GPS that's fine. Won’t pay extra for it though.

Often I’m driving solo and plot my route before I drive off. That way, in my head, i know what towns I’ll be driving through or passing. It’s a mental exercise that I’m used to employing. It compliments my sense of direction and gets me to my destination.

For you 2 hour jaunt from Dublin airport I’d drive to Cashel and stay the night. See the Rock of Cashel the next morning then off you go.

It would make sense if you’d purchase the Rick Steve’s Ireland guidebook. Very informative. Practical way to learn about the island.

Lastly, Don’t rush. Enjoy you first trip abroad. Eire is ALL about its natural beauty and the people who live there.

Slainte