Should I rent a car in Ireland?

Should I rent a car in Ireland? Yes.

Yes, definitely rent a car. Also, have a GPS with an Ireland chip as well as good maps. Ireland is wonderful.

I've been planning a trip to Ireland for my wife and I for some indefinite time in the future. I definitely will not drive. Driving a right hand drive car doesn't bother me. I raced a right hand drive sports car for five years and I taught two daughters and a girlfriend how to drive a stick by sitting in the passenger seat and shifting for them. But I've ridden with Brits driving on the left hand side of the road and it bothered me, particularly turning corners and roundabouts. And, Irish roads are very narrow. I started out thinking Ireland was one place where you had to have a car. I got three rental car quotes that, with fuel, averaged over $1000. That was unsatisfactory, so I looked to the buses (rail in Ireland is really not a good option, but bus service is). I could go everywhere I was planning to go for less than $400 for both of us. That decided it for me. Whether you desire to drive is worth the enormous cost difference is a personal choice, but if money is an issue, do what I did. Get rental quotes.
Determine an itinerary. Get fuel cost estimate from ViaMichelin. Get bus fares from BusEireAnn. Compare.

I love public transportation and use it all over Europe, except in Ireland. The best of Ireland isn't in any guidebook per se, it is all the hidden nooks and crannies. Places that you find by wandering. You'll enjoy either way, but if you are comfortable with driving on the left, or the challenge of learning to drive on the left, it can be tremendously rewarding.

I really don't want to drive, since driving on the other side of the road might freak me out. So, happy to hear that there is alternative transportation. Plus, I don't have a lot of time to spend. If I fly into Shannon and out of Dublin or Belfast, I'll at least see two cities and the countryside on a bus or train. Again, thanks so much for your help.

Thanks, Michael. Based on you recommendations, I will not be going to Ireland.

Kristine, The "short answer" to your question - it depends on where you plan on going in Ireland. Have you got any plans on which places you want to go in the six days? If you think you might not be comfortable driving on the "correct side of the road", public transport would be a better idea. You'll be able to reach most places with carefully planned public transport (Trains or Buses). You probably won't have time for much more than Belfast and Dublin, with perhaps a day trip or two. You might have a look at This Website to see if one of these tours might work for you. One point to note - these seem to be tailored for "younger" travellers. Contact them if you need further information. Ireland is definitely worth the trip! Happy travels!

Happy to help you out Lee.

One simple word is all that is needed.....YES! Be open to an adventure in one of the most lovely countries in the world.

I you do decide to rent a car it is a good idea to take off the hubcaps on the left side. Driving from the "wrong" side of the car on on the "wrong" side of the road make is easy to brush the curbs and you can lose hubcaps very easily doing that.

I've driven there four times now, and have family that have made additional seven trips, and not one of us has lost a hubcap.