Need Advice for Ireland Driving Itinerary

Joe, don't sweat it. Ireland doesn't get like Texas hot. Roll down a window and go retro. In most of N Americia air wasn't standard equpment till the 80's. We all survived, just carry a comb.

And even without a/c, it'll still have a fan system that you can turn on. We've traveled there in June and August before, it's nowhere near as hot as it gets in Atlanta during the summer. Most (if not all) of the places you'll stay won't have a/c, either.

Thanks for the advice. Another concern..... should I worry about getting use to shifting on my left. I drive manual shift as a rule but worried that it might be too complicated to adjust to it and drive on the left side of the road. Can anyone of you share your experience?
Joe

If you already drive a manual, you won't have a problem. The gear pattern is the same (not mirror image) and the pedals are on the same sides. The only tricky part is remembering that there is no window sill to rest your left elbow on.

Thanks Nancy, Have you driven in Ireland & the UK? If you have, how long would you say it took for you to feel at ease driving? We will only be driving outside the bigger cities. Thanks for your imput
Joe

Joe, my first time driving on the left it took about fifteen minutes or so. If your picking up at an airport drive a few turns around their large parking lot. Sounds silly but I find it helps. I also find the hardest thing is judging distance to the left, curbs, walls and parked cars, words of the helpful kind by my lovely wife help here. You'll miss a few shifts, stall a few times, but don't stress it. In many areas chances are the other drivers around you are also tourists from right side driving nations. Relax, enjoy and hoist a pint at the end of the day

Yes, I have driven in Ireland on four separate trips. It really only takes a few minutes to get used to the other side of the road. The hardest thing for me was remembering to stay left when pulling into a wide driveway, like at a gas station, and remembering to look first to the right, not left, when pulling out.

Someone said something recently (too lazy to search) about a driving thought to have. Don't worry so much about where the car is in perspective to the left side of the car, just focus on keeping the front right close to the center of the road. If there is a lane divider, just keep snug to it. Remember to "keep calm and carry on."

Just returned from Ireland. It was my first trip back to driving on the other side of the road in over 35 years. I was concerned at my advanced age (lol) I might have problems adjusting. If anything I felt more comfortable and had fewer problems than I had in my youth. However, my dear wife was constantly gasping as we whizzed by shrubs and walls on the very narrow roads!! Since you already drive a manual, you will adjust quickly and really enjoy it--especially the roundabouts. A word of advice---take a GPS!!!! It is expensive to rent one with the car. We downloaded Ireland/UK for about $60 to our Tom-Tom. It was a real lifesaver.

I wonder myself about driving a manual when the driving is on the left. I have driven in the U.K. and Ireland, but with an automatic. I think next time we will try it with a stick because cars are more expensive now, especially for an automatic. As for getting used to driving on the left -- way, way easier than you would think. Don't worry about that part.

I can echo much of what has been said. A GPS would have been great, but it was interesting getting lost. Having a "spotter" in the passenger seat is a good idea. Shifting left handed did not seem to be a problem. The main issue I did have is as has been mentioned, when stopped and turning onto another road, your tendency will be to head to the wrong lane.

Unless, they have an unusual heatwave - "hot" in Ireland is 70 degrees. Not only will you not need ac, you will be wearing your sweater most of the time if you are from anywhere but the far north in the USA. If you are used to driving a stick, it won't take long to get the hang of shifting with your left hand - or, if your passenger is also able to drive a stick, have your passenger do the shifting. :-) I found it easier to drive in the cities than in the country. When there was lots of traffic, there were also lots of "cues" to keep me in the correct lane. On country roads, with little traffic, I would tend to move back to driving on the right side - it took constant vigilance to remember to stay left - especially when focused on admiring the countryside. Have fun! Karen

I just got back from Ireland and my first time driving on the left... My advice from my recent, but limited experience: 1) GPS was very, very useful. So is having at least one competent human navigator in the car. Realize that if you make a wrong turn the GPS will "recalculate" the route. It DOESN'T say "Hey, you! Turn around and go back" which would be very useful. It just recalc's a new route. So don't be afraid to mentally override the GPS's recalculation. 2) Make sure you have a good road map too. 3) we paid extra for an automatic xmission. It cost about 100 euros more. Both drivers were very happy to not to worry about trying to shift while driving on these little, narrow Irish roads. On the left side. 4) Don't have any advice about the weather. It was cool, rainy, but mostly pleasant in May. Joan