Car Rental Ireland

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IRELAND

Although Ireland is an island, it is the third-largest island in the world and has a population of around 6.2 million residents making it anything but small.  Separated by the Irish Sea, it is located to the west of the UK to which Northern Ireland is classed as a part of.  The Republic of Ireland covers the southern five-sixths of the island and contains 4.6 million of the total population. Ireland has been divided politically since 1920 which will be noticeable on your self-drive by the difference in how distances are displayed. The Republic of Ireland talk about kilometers and speed limits are displayed in kilometers per hour (km/h) whereas Northern Ireland have the same system as the UK (Miles and miles per hour – mph). The entire island, however, do observe driving on the left hand side of the road.

Geographically, Ireland consists of fairly low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain. Due to the lack of extreme weather conditions, the island has flourishing vegetation and accompanied by several pleasant rivers. Until the 1600s Ireland enjoyed a thick woodland area which unfortunately over time has dwindled down and is now the most deforested area in Europe.

The legal blood-alcohol limit is low, so it may be best to abstain. It is perfectly legal to temporarily use the hard shoulder to allow a faster moving vehicle overtake you, but remember that this maneouver is not allowed on a motorway. Drivers often 'thank' each other by flashing their hazard lights or waving - this is purely a convention. Road signs in the Republic are nominally bilingual, with place names displayed in Irish in italic font, with the corresponding English name in capitals immediately below. In the "Gaeltacht" areas (Irish-Speaking districts in the south-west (Kerry), west (Galway, Mayo), and north-west (Donegal), as well as other smaller gaeltacht areas in Meath and Waterford), road signs are written in Irish only. In Northern Ireland road signs are in English only and all distances are given in miles. There are five types of road classification:  Speed limits are defaults for the road classification only - if a lower speed limit is signed, it must be obeyed. Urban areas generally have a 50km/h speed limit.

• M-roads (Motorways, indicated by white on blue signs; Speed limit 120km per hour)
• N-roads N1 - N50 (National Primary routes, main arterial routes indicated by white/yellow on green signs; Speed limit 100km per hour)
• N-Roads N51+ (National Secondary routes - green signs; Speed Limit 100km per hour)
• R-roads (Regional roads, indicated by black on white signs; Speed limit 80km per hour)
• L-roads (Local roads, white signs - rarely marked, although signage is improving)

Top Scenic routes around Ireland:

• The Sheep’s Head Way – 70km driving route following old roads and tracks around the peninsula from Bantry to the headland and back offering stunning views.
• Dingle Peninsula – Starting at Castlegregory at the Corca Dhuibhne Peninsula and completing a loop through Cloghane, Conor Pass, Dingle, Slea Head, Ballyferriter, Murreagh, Kilmalkedar and back to Dingle.
• Bantry to Killarney – Approximately 80km, very popular with tourists.
• Copper Coast – 120kms starting at Dungarvan, driving through Stradbally, Waterford, Clonmel, Ballymacarberry and ending in Dungarvan.
• Galway to Westport – A longer trip spanning 230km starting in Galway City and into the centre of Westport. The Sky Road in Clifden is also a must see for stunning views of the Atlantic coastline and Connemara.