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Where/how to find list of private drivers in Ireland

Seeking info on where to find listings for private drivers (not chauffeurs - looking for something less $$ and more casual in approach)

My brother is taking my mother (76 and in decent health but now walks kinda slow) to Ireland, and will only be there for about 5 or 6 days.

No group tours and my brother does NOT want to drive, he wants to relax and look at the sites with mom.

Seeking personal driver (someone that would seem like family, not a "driver") that will take them where THEY want to go and WHEN they want to go.

They arrive in Dublin.

She wants to do some travel by train, she LOVES trains and would like to take the train to Cork/Killarney area.

Her must list for south and west of Dublin is:
Blarney Stone,
Muckross House (in the horse/buggy),
dig a peat bog log.

She'd like to be able to see:
Rock Of Cashel,
evening in Kenmare (or maybe an equally quaint/picturesque village),
Powerscourt waterfall,
maybe the tour of military road depending on how much time it takes from other things, and maybe Monasterevin monastery.

I am thinking 2 days and one night in the area... so not sure where to base from and get a driver from...

she wants to do the Blarney stone in the early morning to avoid the lines.

they will then head to N. Ireland to see Giants Causeway, rope bridge, Bushmill Distillery and possibly a drive around Belfast.

Will also do a day or two in Dublin.

Posted by
9363 posts

I'm not sure if it would be possible to find such a list online anywhere, but the Tourist Information offices in Ireland have such information. You might contact someone through www.discoverireland.com to see how you might access that information from here before the trip.

And though you have not asked about the itinerary, I don't think they can possible fit all of those locations into 5-6 days (only 4-5 days if they plan to spend a day or two in Dublin), even with a driver. You're talking about towns in almost every part of the country, from N. Ireland to the far south, and from west to east. Even a driver experienced in local driving would be hard-pressed to reach all of those places in the given time. You might encourage them to take a good look at where these places are on a map, and check the drive times between them at www.viamichelin.com (add about 25% to the times they give you for a more accurate picture).

"I am thinking 2 days and one night in the area... so not sure where to base from and get a driver from..."

Which area are you talking about? One night in each area means they will be moving every day, which wouldn't bother me but might be rough on some people. It would, however, make it hard to have a "base" for a driver.

Posted by
5 posts

It seems that there are 2 ways to find a private driver that is not a chauffer from a high end company.

The local tourist office

The concierge of the hotel or the owner of the B&B or guesthouse.

Still have not found any idea of pricing for this, so we have changed the itinerary...

now they are going straight to Cork, staying there 3 nights, seeing Muckross Estate and the Blarney Castle and if feasible will fit in a few hours in Kinsale or just hang out in Cork.

Return to Dublin and spend remaining days in Dublin.

Thanks for the ideas!

Posted by
9363 posts

The Rock of Cashel is no further from Cork than Killarney (where Muckross House is), so they could still see that while they are in Cork. And there's not much to see in Cork for three days.

Posted by
80 posts

They will not really need a car in Dublin, there is the Dart http://www.dublin.ie/transport/dart.htmand also the Luas http://www.luas.ie/. The train also goes from Dublin to Belfast (can't offer any public transport in Northern Ireland)..lovely, scenic route.

I would offer my services if in Co Mayo, but they will not be heading over my way. I am American and have been living in Ireland 3 years. Will be happy to help if you have any questions.

Posted by
319 posts

Clara,

You need to plot out each day with travel time to see what's doable. Giant's Causeway is on the N. Ireland coast, and Kenmare is on the southern coast. I'm not sure it's possible to see all the sites you've listed in 5 or 6 days.