Car rental in Ireland
 

Will be in Dublin in two weeks
Any suggestions on car rental
Four adults two kids

We used National. They were right at the airport. If you want an automatic be sure to ask as rates are quoted for a stick shift. It will cost you more. Remember, with a stick you shift with your left hand not your right. The driver sits on the right. You drive on the opposite side of the road AND of even more fun is driving a roundabout in the opposite direction. Best of luck to you. Are you staying in Dublin or picking up your car and hitting the road? Dublin is easier at times to use the bus from your hotel rather than parking. The rest of the country though is worth having a car. So beautiful. One of our best vacations. We had an extra week too as it was during the volcanic ash incident and we could not get home. It was great! Best of luck to you.

I used Hertz at the airport. Rates were cheap but you need insurance. Make sure your credit card covers the deductible. You may need a letter stating so. Parking can be an issue. Especially streetside. Gas is expensive

Stick shift is usual but be aware that in addition to driving on the left, Shift is on the left etc.

I have a Garman Nuvi 50 GPS and I bought a chip to insert that had Europe Maps including Ireland. All roads attractions etc. Renting a GPS with the car can equal the price of the rental.

Do you have a Garman GPS that you can take? I can loan you my Chip (But not the GPS) if it is compatible.

Let me know if you can use it.

Also see if you can buy some Euros from someone who may have extra in The Villages.

I would suggest renting two cars; one for the two adult males and one for the wives and children! :jester:

I believe that some countries will not rent cars to seniors of a certain age if they are the drivers. Please double check if that is your case.

As the above posters noted, it's quite a learning curve to drive in Ireland. Rent an automatic if you can. Rent a narrow-width car if you can. The big thing is the roads have no shoulders and the signs are in Gaelic, at least that's the way it was when we went there.

Driving in Dublin was most intimidating to me. The country was easy. Got to one intersection in Dublin and entered a one way street the wrong way. That was interesting , turn around, trying to reverse on a manual with a clutch and everything in the opposite while under pressure from oncoming traffic. Aged 2 years.

Oh forgot about the biker who was upset because I turned in front of him. They have the right away despite my stupidity.

If you usually declining insurance because your own auto policy covers rentals, be sure to check again as many do not cover Ireland. Our policy with Allstate does not though it covers everywhere else in Europe.

Make sure you get a car with collapsable side mirrors for those narrow roads. practice the roundabouts, driving on the wrong side of the road……..
Make sure you go to Malen Head!

Thanks all
My younger brother is going to be the driver. I am wondering if all our stuff will fit in one. Car ! LOL

4 adults and2 children, with car seats and luggage, no, you will not fit in the cars. You need a minivan. The reason for your insurance not being accepted in Ireland is because the Irish have screwed them royally on repairs.

Thanks for all the info
We decided to take public transportation to the Tipperary, it was complicated but we had fun. Stayed two nights and had a car take us back to Dublin, which was cheaper than public transportation . Didn't need any car in Dublin , able to walk everywhere and get a cab to airport. VERY glad we didn't drive

Please don't practice in The Villages