Going to Ireland...can I rent a P-car there? (Or borrow one? :) )

[rennch]

Hi there,

I'm going to Ireland in February, and would LOVE to be able to drive a cool car around as we tour the country. Does anyone know if we can rent a P-Car in Dublin?

Thanks!

We're going the 12-24th.

[don911]

I think it would be a waste of money even if you could. The country roads I was on when I was there were too narrow with people walking and biking on the side. I don't think it would be any fun in a p-car.

[rennch]

Let me amend that...I would *prefer* a P-Car, but any good European (BMW, Mercedes, Saab, etc..) would work.

[edevinney]

I rented a 320d from Sixt for my Paris-Nurburgring-Stuttgart pilgrimage, but they don't rent high end cars in Ireland. I have to agree with Don, the roads are narrow and subject to pedestrians, bikes and sheep. Would recommend something narrow - we were upgraded to a Golf our first time in Ireland and thought that was grand until we got to the countryside. The Polo would have been much easier.

Get a diesel, too - gas is expensive, shockingly so if you haven't been to Europe recently.

[speedracer]

I was there a few years ago and take it from me, rent the smallest car you can find! We had a ford focus (which I thought was small turns out it isn't for Ireland). We had to fold our side mirrors in while touring parts of the country side. They post the annual death toll numbers on the side of the roads for a reason........

I was there for a week and didn't see even one 911. Also, Dublin would be a nightmare in a car, if you are going to rent one use for trips out of the city only. IMHO

[rennch]

Damn...raining on my parade! Ok...I guess I'll rent the spec then. We are touring from Dublin down south.

[POKDUB]

Maybe some local input might help. Previous posts seem to paint a stero-type picture of Ireland.

Firstly, all major car rental companies are represented in Ireland and Dublin in particular. At Dublin airport you have Avis, Hertz, Alamo, National, or their equiv franchise. See:

http://www.dub.aero/AR_Dublin/live/Lv_pres_GenTemplate.asp?strPage_Name=DN_CarHire

All companies carry a full range of cars from economy to luxury.

We have a good national road system, and one of the most densely covered road networks of any country. (It does require some maintenance to keep all roads up to spec).

Petrol is among the cheapest in Europe, about 25% cheaper than UK. About 1 to 1.05 Euro a litre.

Dublin is a small city, still retains a lot of its older buildings, narrow streets, and heritage. Not designed for modern car, or volume of traffic. Loads of one ways streets, it can be a bit of a maze. Anyway you dont visit/tour Dublin in a car, use your feet. Most of the key city attractions are in a 1 mile square area.

Cant remember the last time I saw sheep on the roads, again, if you travel up country lanes, always expect to meet some country lane inhabitants.

You dont have to go for a small car, unless you plan to drive up a lot of country lanes. If you are tripping then I am sure you will stick to either the Motorway, National Primary or Secondary roads.

Smaller roads are winding, so your can enjoy more of a driving experience, keep to speed down, and enjoy the scenery.

The south is a lovely place to visit, so if you need any pointers, drop me a line.

BTW I would not bring my Pcar on a tour of Ireland, not after my recent suspension woes.

Failte romhat!

[stevepaa]

I would say that Ireland is best by motorcycle when it doesn't rain. No car is needed in any city, just walk or take a taxi. I did not see any Porsches in the last two years of travel there. The lower the car, the less you will see because of walls and vegetation in the country.

Oh, and I would get an automatic if this is your first time driving there. Shifting gears and shifting lanes in a roundabout may be more than you want to handle.

[rennch]

Hi Peter,

THANK YOU for some good advice. We are flying into Dublin on Feb 12...I'd love to meet with you and get the lay of the land if you like? We'll be in Dublin for 2 days, then go down south around the coast.

[edevinney]

Peter brings up some good points - you'll want to consider where you're going. The motorways and main roads are nothing unusual, but if you're heading into the countryside as we were I stand by my assertion that narrower is better and sheep can occasionally be seen up close :-) That said, I've been mostly in Donegal and the NW, haven't made it down south yet.

I would differ on renting an automatic. That limits your choice of cars a lot, and may not be too hard to adjust to - I've never had a problem in Ireland or the UK. Additionally, even at 1 euro/liter ($4.50/US gal) I like my mileage to be as good as possible...

However you do it I suspect you'll enjoy yourselves greatly.

[tcar]

Just returned from Dublin and Southern Ireland.

You do NOT want a car in Dublin. Walk anywhere, taxis are everywhere and reasonable. Dublin is a great city.

You have to see the Wicklow mountains - tour bus is great.

Rented an Opel 4 door (Hertz) at the airport and took motorways and smaller roads down to Cork and environs (palm trees at Kinsale!).

Never saw sheep on a road. On secondary roads there is not a lot of traffic. Did some driving at night. Lots of traffic in Cork (See Blarney Castle).

Opel was a nice car, felt a lot like a SAAB 9-3 (which I guess it sort of is). Handled competently. Were not many (any, actually, the day I rented) automatics available. Was surprised that I became competent shifting w/ left hand reasonably quickly.

Put a sign on the dash "LOOK RIGHT" "DRIVE LEFT". You can't daydream while you're driving. Pay attention on roundabouts.

The people are absolutely wonderful. In Dublin, a woman got her car out of her garage and gave us a ride back to the City Center when we were in the 'burbs because she said we'd never find a taxi that far out. A truck driver in Cork stopped traffic so we could make a right turn out of a traffic jam to get out of the city.

It was great. Have a wonderful time.

[rennch]

Wow...great infor tcar. I'm in CO too...Boulder. I'm excited to go.

[stevepaa]

Try staying at Jury's Ballsbridge if you can, before they tear it down. Fabulous hotel.

[tcar]

Originally posted by stevepaa
Try staying at Jury's Ballsbridge if you can, before they tear it down. Fabulous hotel.

Agree, I was there for the Dublin Marathon and our 'after' banquet was at Jury's Ballsbridge.

I'm Denver...

I did see a couple of early 911's in Dublin.

[cashflyer]

I must be driving in the wrong places... or the right ones, depending upon your view. I have stopped for sheep on more than one occasion - sometimes a stray, sometimes a group being moved from one field to another.

Last time I was there the M-1 still had some areas that were not completed. I think around Dundalk.

The old A-1 is deadly if you don't pay attention - both to motorist and to pedestrians. Plenty of slower local traffic intermingled with people trying to make a speed record between Dublin and Belfast.

I've driven Nissans and Renaults over there. When you crest a hill and get some air, be glad it's a rental and that you took out the insurance.

Overall, I do not dislike Ireland roads. I equate them to little country roads like I grew up with in the rural south. No big deal. Just don't expect anything like the crosstown freeway.

If you head up north on the A1, be sure and see the Annesley Gardens in Castlewellan - then stop into the Old Tom for a pint.

[cjf]

We were in Ireland last August. We toured the south but skipped Dublin. We rented an Opel with manual. Only car I drive with manual is my 911. Didn't take too long to get used to the left hand shift, but every morning had to remind myself to drive on the left side of the road. Have to say that the drivers in Ireland were a lot more courteous than what we experience in the USA. Take some of the back roads and enjoy the country. By the way did see two 911's on the road while we were there. Did see sheep near the road in the Wicklow mountains and had to stop for a farmer moving his milk cows from the barn to pasture down the road. The only problem we encountered on the whole trip was on the way home. We couldn't figure out how to turn the plane around to go back to Ireland. Enjoy! It was the best vacation we have taken so far and look forward to going back soon.

Chuck

[Sean_irl]

Hi All..

I have heard mates of mine getting Avis to special order a car into Ireland for rental....but it will cost.

Agree that you don't need to drive while in Dublin..its a bit like Rome (but not anywhere as bad). You walk or Taxi it ...or Dart it (light rail).

I really don't agree that you shouldn't drive your 911 in Ireland..and I too lost my rear suspension while driving around. But the torsion tube would have gone some time soon... I only pre-empted it while driving on a roller coaster bog road giving it the boot.

If you want advice for some awe inspiring routes drop me a mail..or we can keep it on the thread. I have advised many friendsfrom aboad of some of the best driving roads in Europe (primarily sw Ireland by the Atlantic) and indeed some of the most chill out secnery you can handle.

Glad to be back on the forum...its been a while.

Sean

[POKDUB]

Sean, welcome back. We can now swap torsion tube stories.

[cashflyer]

Originally posted by Sean_irl
....or Dart it (light rail).....

Yeah... like that thing is ever on schedule.

[stevepaa]

Who minds about schedule in Dublin? There's a pub on every street corner.