Driving in Ireland

If you love driving, Ireland is a blast! Yes, everything is on the other side (except the gas pedal and brake). Yes, roads are narrow. Yes, buses are huge (and scary when they're coming straight for you at high speeds). Yes, farm equipment is annoying. Yes, stone walls can be your car's worst enemy. Yes, free range sheep and cattle can make for interesting traffic/road blocks. Doesn't matter, it is sooooo much fun to drive this country!

Sure it took a few days to feel comfortable and to figure out which way to look and what lane I should be turning into, but that comes quickly and then you're golden. The roads a windy, but more often than not you are on them by yourself and can take them at really any speed you're comfortable with. For those that know me, you can be guaranteed I was taking them slightly faster than was posted (or not posted, let's be honest about Irish signage on these matters) ;)

One thing I adored and noticed fairly quickly, they understand road rules. The right lane in this case is the passing lane and it is used for, you guessed it, passing. Not for driving under the posted

limit, not for going the same speed as the person in the lane next to you, not for doing who the heck knows what (I'm talking to you, idiotic California drivers!), but for passing. Hey, the car in front of me is not going as fast as I am, maybe I'll go around them. Oh, goody, there's an entire lane for that, and it's available for use! Hot damn. And now that I've successfully passed this slower vehicle, I, too, shall move over so that others may pass me if so desired (unlikely as I have a bit of a lead foot). If you're on a road that doesn't having a passing lane or is too narrow to pass another vehicle (read, pretty much every road in Ireland that is not a motorway), it is understood that if you are going slowly, and a line of traffic is building behind you, you pull over to let others pass. Simple. This applies to farm equipment, trucks, slow tourists, etc. And people do it. It was a true joy to drive in a country where people understand road rules.

The majority of my driving took place on what is known as the wild

Atlantic way, which starts in Kinsale and continues all the way up the Atlantic coast to the north. It is marked by a blue sign with a white squiggle on a brown background (denotes touristic sites). If you have the time and inclination, it is well worth the effort. Gorgeous country, really fun roads and a permanent smile on your face.

All told, after 18 days with a rental vehicle (about 13 of which were actual driving days), I covered a mere 2400km. Not too shabby for my first attempt at driving in Ireland. I cannot wait to drive there again. Now, to learn to drive a manual with my left hand so as to significantly decrease the cost of a rental car. Anyone want to let me practice on their stick shift???