Chuck, I bought trip insurance through Continental when I purchased my ticket. The ticket was about $800 and the insurance was about $50. It does include some emergency medical transportation and emergency medical and dental benefit, along with baggage coverage, baggage delay coverage, trip cancellation, trip delay and trip interruption. It is with Access America/BCS. Customer service is 1-800-284-8300 and there is another number 1-800-496-6821.

We just got back and we paid between 1.15 - 1.19 per liter. The cars are very fuel efficient and we started with a full tank and added 90 euro worth of fuel to drive 1750 kilometers. Part of the pickup fee at Murrays Europcar in Dublin is prepaying (I think 65 euro) for a tank of fuel. Our agreement stated to return the car empty, as no refund was given for unused fuel.

We picked up our car in Dublin the second day after staying at Jurys In Christchurch the first night. It was a 12 euro cab ride to Murrays to pick up the car. We arrived back in Dublin about 7:00 PM the night before the car was due back. We stayed at the O'Callagahan Mont Clare hotel for the last two nights, which was walking distance from Murrays. Parking was EASY, as there are many spots up the next block which are free after 7:00 PM. You have to pay starting at 7:00 AM and Murrays doesn't open until 8:00. We just went and did the pay & display for 1 hour and ate breakfast at the hotel. The drive to Murrays is super close and the walk back is very easy. Not to mention that, but it is about a 10 minute walk, with luggage, to pick up the Aircoach to the airport.

The hotel has a great location, you can pick up the city tour bus across the street and down 1/4 block. Temple Bar and Grafton street are easy walks. We paid a little more than we were hoping to pay (145 euro per night) but the accomodations were great and the location fantastic.

I was worried about the logistics of the car rental (and finding my way back to Murrays) and I just lucked into this. IT WENT WAY BETTER THAN PLANNED. I got lucky.

I went into all of this detail because I too had great apprehension about the whole rental car thing, and this made it a walk in the park. (I also did pay for their insurance that took the deductible from 1200 euro to 100 euro. It cost me under 70 euro for a one week rental, and gave me plenty of peace of mind on those NARROW roads with BIG trucks and busses.

Thanks to all of you for all your kind words.  I haven't actually made my reservation yet but at least I now understand what to ask.  A lot of peace comes from at least knowing the facts.  We are currently leaning toward Dan Dooley from some of the comments I have read from others.  I was considering Kemwel but my observations from their website is that they don't include all of the cost and Dooley does (and it is in writing).  Anyway I will be finishing up on that detail over the next couple of days.  I guess I could call but I really prefer the internet.  Blessings to all of you.

Chuck