So, So Confused

birdies · Newbie

So, So Confused

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joan,

Welcome to my forum! You don't say how long you have to visit Ireland. And are you departing from Shannon or Dublin?

Renting a car is always the best way to see Ireland. Then you can come and go as you please without sticking to schedules (or trying to figure them out!). It also takes longer to get around by public transportation. You can go from Limerick to Kildare by train and on to Dublin. You can go from Dublin to Newry by train. Just put your destinations into the boxes on Irish Rail's website to get the schedules.

The nearest accommodation recommendation I have to Newry is Beaufort House in Carlingford. But probably not close enough for you. Take a look at the reviews on Trip Advisor to see if anything catches your eye. You can also look at Town & Country Homes B&Bs or Family Homes. You can make email inquiries to find out where the various places are.

That should get you started. Let me know if you have more questions.

Michele

birdies · Newbie

OK, so the car is better. I'm a bit leary of trying to drive on the "wrong" side of the road, but I can parallel park a 70-foot school bus on either the left or right side of the road, so I guess I can give it a try. I'm coming and going through Shannon. Leave on Sath the 11th arriving on the 12th and leaving to come home on the 18th from Shannon.

I have a hard time understanding the scale of things. Is it reasonable to drive from Shannon to Kildare in --- what?   4 or 5 hours? Then I'm not keen on driving in Dublin, so if I can go around it some way, that'd be good. Do I need to get an International Driver's License, or is my American license ok?

What seems to be the thing to watch out for with rental cars in Ireland? I don't want to get some outrageous bill, and will it make things more complicated that I cross the line and go over into NI?

I figured out that I'm coming in on Easter Sunday.   Will that make things more difficult? Will everything that is normally open be shut down because of this? Perhaps I should get the car and try to stay somewhere close by to get through the jet lag? What about the Monday after Easter? Will shops and such be closed that day as well? It wouldn't be fun to run out of gas because no stations are open.

So, in sum, with about 5 days to DRIVE around, is it reasonable to think I can drive from Shannon up to Kildare for Brigid's well, and then take a few days to knock about Newry? (I'd like to get a birth certificate of my mom's and maybe even her mom and since it's a weekday I thought the courthouse would be open?) I'd also like to find the grave of her sister if I could. I don't know if that is possible. She died in 1931 but I figure finding the church closest to their neighborhood that's Church of Ireland should give me a start. Is this false hope?

If I get the car, then  it's easier to figure out on a more casual way were to spend a night here or there.

I've been to London a couple times, and it just seems that cars and trucks come at you from everywhere and from all directions -- it gives me STRONG pause to think of being one of those drivers! Follow the leader?

Are there any sights on the route that you'd recommend I particularly try to include? Am I nuts to think I can cross the island and return in five full days? Or will I just get to see the roads if I do that? Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Joann

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joann,

Have you already booked your flights into and out of Shannon? Because in your case Dublin would be a better choice. Let's assume it is Shannon and you can't change it. If you wanted to cut out the cross-contry drive you could take the train to Dublin and then rent your car there. It would mean taking a taxi to the Limerick railway station from Shannon.

Kildare is not too far from Dublin and there is a ring road (M50) around Dublin City. It is also a straight shot up to Newry on good divided highways. If you don't want to be in Dublin City you could always stay in Malahide (about 8 miles north & near the airport), which I recommend. Kildare is an easy day trip from there.

As far as drive times, you can go from Shannon to Kildare in about 3 to 4 hours. Go to my Car Rental page for tips on renting and what you need to know before booking. There is also some info there about driving in Ireland.

Driving from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland is not a problem. Usually the only way you know you have crossed the border is that the signs change from kilometers to miles and the post boxes are red instead of green. It is about 1-1/2 to 2 hours from Dublin to Newry.

Arriving on Easter Sunday is fine. Business offices are closed but things like petrol stations, many shops, restaurants, etc. are open. The following day is okay too.

If you decide to rent your car in Shannon, then you will have two cross-country drives taking perhaps 4 - 5 hours. How long it actually takes depends on traffic, your driving style and if you make any stops along the way. If you do decide to drive across the country, then resting nearby Shannon on your first day makes sense. You can recover from jet-lag and proceed the next morning.

You do not need an international driver's license in Ireland.

Michele