Ireland Road Trip? 5 Things You Need To Know

Winding road similar to those you'll find in Ireland

Planning an Ireland road trip, but a little nervous about it? The good news is that renting a car and driving around is not as complicated as you think. When traveling through Ireland, you have options! You can:

• Take a guided tour

• Hire a private driver

• Take a train

• Self-drive

I opted to self-drive simply because I wanted more control over where I could go and what I could see. There are few rail options in Ireland, and while I love a good guided tour, I wanted to experience driving. It is an experience that is for sure!

I selected the city centre rental location just around the block from our hotel, The Gresham. I didn't want to drive around Dublin (you don't either, trust me on this), so I picked up our rental car the morning we were departing for Killarney. There were many jokes about Americans being the worst drivers while driving around Ireland, so be prepared for some giggles. For more information about what you need to know to rent a car in Ireland, check out my blog here!

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Road in Ireland with stone walls

1. Driving on the Left Side

Driving on the left side of the road requires adjustments in how you sit, how you think, and the way that you navigate.

• The driver sits on the right side of the car

• You shift with the left hand (in manual cars)

• Navigate roundabouts clockwise

  
  

Give yourself time to adapt in less congested areas before tackling busy roads. I found that my line of sight was off, and I continually veered off the left side of the road at first.

2. Narrow Country Roads

Irish country roads are notably narrower than what most visitors expect. Many rural routes:

• Lack of shoulders on the side of the road

• Feature stone walls or hedgerows directly alongside the pavement (that seem to jump out at you!)

• Are sometimes narrow to single-lane passages even when accommodating two-way traffic

  
  

Reduce your speed, use passing bays when available, and be prepared to reverse if meeting oncoming traffic. I nearly hit a stone wall and had to come to a complete stop a few times to allow others through on a two-lane road with parked cars. It requires patience and different thinking as you drive around Ireland.

3. Road Signs and Navigation

Road signage in Ireland uses the metric system, with speed limits in kilometers per hour. Roads are classified as:

• Motorways (M)

• National Roads (N)

• Regional Roads (R)

  
  

Be sure that you rent a car with a navigation system. You do not want to mess with your phone and trust that it is updated.

Aerial view of a roundabout with green foliage at its center, surrounded by intersecting roads and cars in motion, highlighting urban planning and traffic flow.

4. Roundabouts in Your Ireland Road Trip

Ireland loves roundabouts, and you'll encounter many throughout your journey.

• Always yield to vehicles already in the roundabout (approaching from your right)

• Signal your exit

• Stay in the appropriate lane based on your exit position

Larger roundabouts often have multiple lanes, so position yourself correctly before entering. This is where your friends or family in the car can help you navigate. My friend would reiterate what the navigation told me: "You'll enter after this red car, and you are going to go left and stay in the outside lane." This was invaluable and extremely helpful.

5. Trip Times Lie

The most crucial tip is that your trip will take longer than mapping apps tell you. What looks like a short distance can take significantly more time due to:

• Narrow roads

• Scenic stops

• Weather conditions

• Occasional sheep crossings

  
  

Add at least 25% to estimated driving times for your planned itinerary, especially if you drive around the Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher. We found quite a bit of traffic near Adare on our way to Killarney. I also noticed that drivers in Ireland obey the speed limit (unlike in the US) and are generous in giving space. I never felt pressured or afraid.

Bonus Tip: Choose the Right Car

Consider renting a comfortable car to drive around Ireland. You do not want to be cramped in a tiny vehicle if you have long drives. I drove the equivalent of a Ford Edge, which was the perfect size to hold our luggage and three adults. It was comfortable and never felt too big while driving or parking.

Driving around Ireland will provide you with the best experience to stop and explore at your own pace. If your driving experience is like mine, it will also offer lots of jokes and giggles after the trip.

A car travels through the scenic winding roads of a lush green valley, bordered by towering rocky hills under a cloudy sky.

For example, when I returned the car, I hit a garbage can on the side of the road (that left-hand sight line, ugh) and scratched the mirror. Then, when I took a taxi the next day back to the airport to depart, the taxi driver asked me if I had scratched my mirror. I said, "How did you know?!" He laughed and told me that all Americans scratch their mirrors.

You can read more about renting a car in Ireland in this blog post here. I share important information that you MUST know before you rent, or you'll be sad when they charge you way more at the counter. Be prepared and read more in this blog post.

If you are ready to discuss your Irish adventure, please complete the form on our website, and I'll schedule a call with you!

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