Thanks for everyone for the advice (exception: Chilango)

Posted by Stu on August 23, 2025, 8:00:40, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

I’d buy full insurance coverage

Posted by jfinsocal on August 22, 2025, 19:00:48, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Including tires. We flattened two tires on a pothole. Easy to get your car scratched by hedges and such on the rural roads. I never buy insurance domestically but buy it in Europe. Have fun, car is by far the best way to see Ireland. Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

I really enjoyed Dublin but I regret not getting out of the city much*

Posted by MC on August 22, 2025, 16:30:19, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas. Hello, is this President Clinton? Good! I figured if anyone knew where to get some Tang, it'd be you.

Sounds like a fun trip! You deserve some time away*

Posted by bbonb on August 22, 2025, 16:27:36, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

I drove on the left side in the USVI. Got used to it fairly quickly

Posted by Gene Parmesan on August 22, 2025, 9:17:21, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

The one thing that took some getting used to was that right turns are into oncoming traffic, and left turns are safe. I made that mistake once. and fortunately the person coming the other way was paying attention. Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

We had a US spec minivan on St. Thomas a couple of years ago. First 20 minutes was tough.

Posted by Illiniphil on August 22, 2025, 9:16:32, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Picked it up at the airport and basically drove it across the island (and over the "mountains") to get to our resort on the coast facing St. John. Driving through Charlotte Amalie was kinda hairy. Once I got used to it, the rest of the week was fine. With the exception of taking the vehicle ferry over to St. John and trying to drive a front wheel drive Grand Caravan with questionable tires up the narrow roads and hills in St. John (also on the left side of the road) with 6 adults in it after it rained. We got stuck on a road on a hard uphill curve and had to back down. In traffic. It was awkward. Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

I did a 10 day Scotland Highlands drive with a small manual car.

Posted by ibdoc on August 22, 2025, 9:04:26, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

It took me a few hours to get the left-hand side driving down in my mind. It took me a couple days to get the left-handed shifting down. I've had a manual transmission care for the past 20 years and I didn't realize how hard it would be to change sides. Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

Ireland is probably bottom of my "must see" list*

Posted by Chilango on August 22, 2025, 7:38:09, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

It’s the size of Indiana. Even if you drive really slow it shouldn’t take a year.

Posted by doubledown on August 22, 2025, 6:33:16, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Good luck! Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

Did for the very first time 2 days ago. Not that hard, weird at first.

Posted by ijustkrushalot on August 22, 2025, 2:05:46, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Dealing with the narrow ass windy roads is a bigger concern... and you need to think at intersections... but overall I'd say you'll be fine Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

We only made left hand turns for an hour.

Posted by GhostofPokeyStixPast on August 21, 2025, 19:01:17, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

We rented a car at Heathrow and drove to Bath

Posted by DT on August 21, 2025, 18:56:08, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

The guy driving was fine, except for the very first roundabout right outside the rental lot where he started to go the wrong way and all 3 passengers screamed. But after that he had no hiccups. Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

What I did was keep telling myself, ‘Stay to the left, stay to the left…’

Posted by timmer on August 21, 2025, 18:11:53, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

I felt the hardest part was getting into the car on the right side, followed by forcing yourself to look up and left for the rear view mirror rather than up and right. The difference in awareness of where you are and where everyone else is from just a three foot shift to the right is remarkable Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas. (for rent)

Can you drive? You will have it figured out in the first hour.

Posted by BradUnderwoodforprez on August 21, 2025, 18:02:38, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

It isn’t that bad at all. Assassin is right though get the insurance. I smashed the mirror glass in Limerick. Just absolutely no room in some places. Talked to the guy at the car rental and he said not to worry about it they get about 40 broken mirrors a day. Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

It’s fine. I drove all over Scotland.*

Posted by ab75 on August 21, 2025, 18:01:19, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas.

Friend at work just got back from Ireland, he took a bus from Dublin to the west coast.

Posted by Warrin'_Illini on August 21, 2025, 17:39:40, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

Said it was awesome but does get hilly/treacherous as you get close to the coast. Maybe just do that so you don't have to sweat the drive. Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas. Calendar time for Buddy!

I drove in Jamaica

Posted by TarheelIllini on August 21, 2025, 17:38:23, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

the countryside is harder because the roads are outrageously narrow

Posted by assassin on August 21, 2025, 17:32:46, in reply to "I am thinking of driving across Ireland next year"

and there are tour busses and shit all over the place. but it's not that hard. Just make sure you buy the insurance, because your US car insurance isn't good there, nor are most normal credit card coverages Previous Message I don’t really want you freaks to know that, but I’d like first hand stories of how hard it is to learn to drive on the left. I’d suspect it’s best to stay out of urban ateas. Brandon Schrock of Laredo, Texas, told the federal government that his employer was “poop,” and his occupation was “pooper.”