Leaving for a self-driving tour of the west of Ireland in 2 weeks. I am interested in what others have used to navigate. Should i just download google maps or is there a better app for Ireland specifically?
Thanks!
Posted by
Land of La
9661 posts
For my 2 drives around the island I used a paper map. Old school and practical as there were areas with no phone service!
Posted by
Chattanooga, TN USA
631 posts
Google maps worked fine for our 30 day trip around the island. Download it for offline use, because as Claudia notes, cell service may be spotty in some areas.
Posted by
1775 posts
For our two most recent trips to Ireland we rented from Conns Ireland, a Hertz franchise. It comes with a GPS. But we also bring ordnance survey maps to find obscure ring forts and the like. Plus we just like paper maps.
Posted by
101 posts
I did three weeks last year and used Google Maps for my navigation. Just be careful of the routes it will pick. It will give you the shortest route which could put you on a one lane road made for tractors. It is easier to try to stay on the main roads which are marked better and have much more room.
Posted by
223 posts
I downloaded google maps and used my phone in airplane mode. This worked fine. I have a couple bits of advice
When choosing a route, (when more than 1 is offered), choose the big roads. I was sometimes directed through farm land when I took the default.
Set your destination as the parking lot near your target. Pay the fee. Parallel parking is difficult. Far too stressful when parking an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar city while parking on the opposite side of the street, looking over the wrong shoulder and shifting with your left hand.
If possible, have someone else do the navigating while you drive. I had a passenger say “stay to the left” just before every intersection.
Safe travels!
Posted by
193 posts
We relied upon Apple Maps in December. No issues...we did stick to "bigger" roads when given option. Someone whispering "left, left, left" at all times is most helpful.
Posted by
SoCal
1777 posts
Two years ago we had no problem using Google Maps via Android Auto in our excellent little rental car (Toyota Yaris, which has become much nicer than when it was introduced). Drove all around Ireland, including some remote areas. Google Maps seemed to do a pretty good job of remembering the routing when cell service faded out (which honestly was not often).
This was my initial experience driving on the left, and I adjusted quickly. It's more difficult IME as a pedestrian.