Driving in Ireland

Over the summer, I went with my immediate family to Ireland for a family reunion. I was the primary driver for 3 weeks in counties Cork, Clare and Roscommon (and all the counties in between). Driving on the left has never been a huge challenge for me. I even find Ireland easier than England thanks to the solicitous nature of the agrarian culture. But here are some initial guidelines for driving on the left:

1. If you are at all comfortable with a manual transmission, get it. The manual transmission helps completely orient you to the other side of the road. It is a constant reminder of being a stranger in a strange land, (until, about day 15, when it becomes natural).


2. If you can afford the additional insurance, do it unless your regular agent says they'll take care of it. When we added the insurance because my friend's US carrier would not cover him overseas, I suddenly felt less pressure and simply, more at ease. My US credit card covers it, but my experience with that has been that it takes a decent amount of paperwork and we still had to pay a small amount out-of-pocket (for a loss of use).


3. Hug, I mean, with great affection, hug, the center lane (so to the right). The tendency is to lean a bit left, and then a bit more left, to avoid the oncoming car you are sure is going to hit you straight on. In the meantime, you hit the shrubbery, or the rocks on the left side of the road. Irish roads are narrow, without shoulder. And your passenger will cringe every time you come a little close to that 200-year old stone rock that seemed so beautiful when you first got in the car. While driving in England 5 years ag, my husband noticed I was too close to the side of the road, and said, "tree." The comment was less than helpful, and 10 seconds later I hit a large branch hanging out the side of the road. The country road was empty at the time and I could have easily moved into the oncoming lane. Now I would. The word "tree" has become a catch phrase for us, meaning "watch-out, you are driving too far in the ditch!"


4. As a passenger, be patient. My poor friend, Clark, drove for all of 4 miles. And I basically freaked out the entire time and did not make it any easier. (He did not drive after that, but then, I did not get to enjoy the Murphy's as much as I would have liked. Ah, the trade-offs.)


5. Make sure your child knows that it is hard for you to drive in a strange country. They know, believe me, they feel your stress. My son was a good sport, most of the time. But when I went the wrong way on a major motorway (only time in 3 weeks, so I am actually pretty proud) and my mother shouted "Oh good Lord!" he was a little surprised. Explain why. They get that it is different. Explaining helps them be a bit more patient too.


6. Ask locals about traffic rules. No cellphones (or "mobile" phones) without a headset. No left turn on a red light (so that would be like a right turn on red in the US). A seatbelt for everyone in the car at all times; but here is the kicker...


7. Children must be in the appropriate carseat, of course. But for children over 3, and weighing under 80 lbs or measuring under 5 ft must be in a booster. No matter how old they are. For more info, check out: http://www.drivinginfo.ie/booster-car-seat-ireland.php


8. More on maps at a later post!