Driving in Ireland - Adare area

Yes. I know how to drive a standard transmission but I am right handed.....

I am concerned that I won't be able to drive and navigate etc. My Father is 78 and is not focused on the logistics at this point in his life...

Your concern about this is very understandable. Is it possible to get a refund on the car (sounds like it was paid in advance?). If so, then you could choose to rely on a combination of trains and buses, not an ideal option in Ireland but maybe doable depending on exactly where you want to go. Some will recommend you put aside your concerns about driving and do it any way, but this brushes aside your concerns and ignores how stressed the driving might make you feel--you'll want to go with your feelings on that. Many have driven in Ireland, it's doable but is different and Ireland does have one of the higher auto accident rates in the EU. I'm not sure what the best advice is in this situation. Hopefully others will give their advice?

Beth - I so understand your stress. I would not want to drive there either...
Have you contacted the owners or managers of the house you are renting? They may have suggestions of someone "local" who would be willing to act as a driver and guide for you - perhaps a college student or a teacher with the summer off? Just a suggestion...

Your suggestions to contact the owner of the house is perfect! Thank you! I will let everyone know how this turns out.......

Kent and I have differing opinions on driving in Ireland. I happen to love it, and have no qualms about it at all -- though I was worried about it the first time. To me, the biggest difference was getting used to a standard transmission again (it had been a long time). Using my other hand was no problem (maybe since I'm lefthanded anyway, it didn't seem so strange to me). I know the idea really does bother some people, though, and you do have to go with your gut on this since you are the one doing it (or not). And Kent is right about the accident rate. One thing you should keep in mind, though, is that in the Adare area the traffic is almost non-existent, so you have time to adjust, particularly if you are flying into Shannon.

I agree with what Nancy has said above, and for myself would drive in Ireland because public transportation is more limited there. But I am cautious about recommending it to someone else who has stated that the very idea of driving there stresses them out, figuring she knows herself far better than we do.

Kent is certainly right, Beth knows her stress level better than anyone else. But I do think many people overstress about the manual shift and drive on the left side of the road thing. Even I do, though only for about the first 30 seconds. It's amazing how easy it really is. And like others have pointed out, the only way to really see Ireland is by car.

Of course, if Annie's suggestion works out, that could be pretty great as well. Gives you the chance to see Ireland by car without having to focus on the road.

Everyone's comments are most helpful and provided me with useful & different perspectives..........Much appreciated...

Beth,
If you feel apprehensive about driving and not at all confident, I suggest you make alternate arrangements. My husband and I returned to Oz yesterday after 5 and half weeks in Ireland, and the UK. We hired a car in Ireland for 2 weeks, doing both south and north.
As drivers who have driven on the left and driven manual cars for the majority of our long driving life, we both agreed that driving in Ireland presents a challenge. My husband who did the bulk of the driving, (he is a better driver than navigator) is an extremely competent and experienced driver. He often commented that people from Europe and USA would be tested to the limit driving in Ireland. The regional rodes on which you will drive for a large percentage of time are extremely narrow. We were in disbelief that quite often the speed limit posted on these roads was 100kmh, which would be a factor in the high number of accidents, I would think. We had a night in Adare. Lovely place.

Judy's thoughtful insights on driving in a left-side drive country IMO deserve consideration by those drivers considering driving a rental car for the first time in a left-side drive country. Judy and her husband did drive--driving a car may be the best way to see most of Ireland--but the experience taught them something and they were kind enough to write in and share their insight for the benefit of first timers considering it. Note that as Australians Judy and her husband have driven on the left side most of their lives. As have most of us here, I've driven on the left side when I wanted to go places trains and buses didn't efficiently go. And I would drive again in the UK if those circumstances applied. But I have sometimes had the feeling that people posting her asking for responsible advice--first timers who are considering driving on the left side for the first time and who may have some understandable concerns about this potential safety issue--need a more detailed commentary or advice than the posts we occasionally get here that egotistically or cavalierly say merely: "It's fun, go for it!"--as if we're supposed to be in awe of these intrepid dare-devils who did it and lived to tell the tale! :)This is a safety and financial issue for travelers and I for one am glad to see a more detailed and analytical commentary on this.

I think Judy's answer gives a much-needed different take on the subject. I've been surprised by the posted speeds too, and wondered who on Earth would ever drive those roads that fast? Often when I've driven there I would be happily following a slower, large truck when it would pull over to the side to allow me to pass. A local said they do this as a courtesy, not because it's the law to do so, but I would have preferred to just putter along behind. :)