Greetings everyone! We just returned from our trip to Ireland and I will post more later but I just wanted to give some quick words of advice/tips that seems to be on everyone's minds. AND please realize these are only my opinions...my opinions may differ from yours depending on what you are interested in or on how much traveling you have done.
1) Seems to be a trend on trying to get tourist to use US $$ instead of Euros. Our bank card does not charge us to convert but we fell into this trap (even though I don't like that word). In all my travels in Europe when I withdraw $$ from an ATM it gives it to me in Euros. In the Republic of Ireland it asks if you want Euros or $$. Being jet lagged and tired we chose dollars and were charged a fee. Every time you purchase anything..clothes, food, etc. and use a credit card they will ask if you want it charged in euros or dollars. ALWAYS CHOSE EUROS even if your credit card charges you a fee to convert from euros to dollars you will know upfront what that conversion fee is. If you chose dollars then you have no idea what the fee is until you figure out the conversion yourself. ALWAYS CHOSE EUROS. One of the sale people said I was smart to chose euros as they would charge 3% for the conversion. In Northern Ireland they do not do this and everything is charged in pounds.
2) We rented our car from Dan Dooley and had no problems whatsoever. Your first day or two of driving on the left will be nerve racking. You will have a tendency to drift to the left (I don't know why but I did and so will you). For the most part the roads are fine although a bit narrow in spots but in reality they are wide enough for 2 cars IF both of you stay on your side. We rented the smallest 4 door automatic they had and they did offer to upgrade us to a SUV. DO NOT UPGRADE. You will be glad you have that small car. If trunk space is an issue then you may need to upgrade. We had a Nissan Micra (or something like that). The trunk held (2) 24 inch suitcases and (2) of the RS travel bags that fit under the seat plus we could squeeze our backpacks in if necessary.
3) We switched our SIMS card in our phone out for an Irish one and it was easy and if you are in Ireland for an extended period I would recommend doing this if for no other reason than to have access to google maps while driving. There is also a handy app called herewego that was useful but I like the vocal turn by turn directions.
4) We had a Garmen, Road map and our phones to help us and we still got turned around a few times. DO NOT plan on driving great distances every day and DO allow extra time. First off you are not going to drive the speed limit so that will slow you down. Signage isn't that great in areas, so that will slow you down and you will probably get lost. I would not follow your garmen blindly as it wasn't spot on for us. Lots of time it will take you to the center of town and trust me that isn't always where you want to go. Always know what town you will be driving through on your way to your destination as sometimes your destination isn't going to show on the signs. And learn to drive in a roundabout because you will encounter them A LOT.
5) Let's talk about L roads. Your garmen is going to want to send you down L roads all the time. AVOID them. I know some of you will say it is all part of the Irish experience but it is NOT. First off the L roads are called lane roads by the locals. That means that there may be 3 or 4 houses on that lane and that is their way in and out. That is how they get their tractors in and out, etc. Seems like the Garmen loves to use lane roads and now the locals are getting upset because they can't get in and out without encountering lots of traffic. I did drive down a few L roads (once was to get to a site. i.e. Quiet man Bridge) and honestly you do not need to unless you just want an E ticket ride at Disneyland :)