Offline Google maps work pretty well, with a few caveats from my experience:
Don’t forget to download the map(s) you want to use before you leave home, while you’re on WiFi. (I think you can fit all of Ireland onto 2 or 3 maps.)
As someone else said, if you’re using it in the car, be sure to plug the phone into the charger, because you’re right—it does drain the phone battery quickly.
It gives good directions while driving, but does NOT have voice prompts, so you need a copilot in the front seat to watch the road signs and announce upcoming turns.
It sometimes give directions that are TOO good. Meaning, usually it opts for the most “direct” route, which is sometimes a farm track over a bumpy road, when you could have stayed on the main county road for an extra 1/10 of a mile with a lot less trouble. Not that it’s ever happened to me. ;) So if you can preview your route before heading off, and even compare it to a printed map, that might help.
It doesn’t give you a route if you’re walking somewhere. I have no idea why.
Oh, and if it doesn’t recalculate after a missed turn, you can always pull over somewhere safe, turn off the navigation, and turn it back on, and it should create a new route for you from your new location. I think??
There are other offline mapping apps besides Google Maps, too, but I haven’t used them, so can’t comment. Another alternative is to bring a standalone GPS unit from home, preloaded with Ireland maps. It’s clunky, but if you have a unit you’re familiar with, that can reduce a lot of stress.
Have a wonderful trip!
