Hi Michele,
I found out later when I talked to Fintan Murray of Corporate Transfers that the Customs folks are looking for returning nationals bringing electronics which are about half the price in the States. With 23% VAT most of those items would be cheaper.

I'll continue my report -

I went off to the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. It starts at the Duke Pub (upstairs) on Duke Street, just a five minute walk from my hotel. When all the guests are assembled two actors, one of them was Colm Quilligan who founded the company, and the other was Frank. These folks are real actors who work on TV and in some movies, and some bit parts on the stage. They start out whit a funny song about the 'waxies' or candle makers who hold their annual outing at the Dargle River. Lots of laughs. Then two beggars that perform the whole Play of Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.
More humor and then the group breaks up into two smaller groups and each led by an actor and start the walking tour to various sites within a six block radius and start talking about the famous literary figures of Dublin. I don't think any of the stories would have ended up in their memoirs or biographies! Very funny. We made stops in three pubs, one of which was the Old Stand where Michael Collins used to hold court during the War of Independence. Return back to the Davey Byrnes Pub across the street from the Duke Pub. At this point they hold a quiz and if you were listening during the tour you could win a tee shirt or a small bottle of Jameson whiskey (sponsor) which they call mouthwash or all oer body lotion. Funny through to the end. Took about 2 hours or so and well worth the nominal price. I would recommend it to any visitor.

On my next morning Fintan Murray (corporatetransfers.ie) picked me up on time at 8:30A. He took me to the Hertz location at South Circular Road, about five minutes away. I went in to the Hertz counter and gave them the confirmation number that EasyTourIreland.com gave me for my reservation. I presented my credit card and my divers license and the Hertz agent told me I have the Fully Inclusive Rate which had no deductibles. He also affirmed the other inclusion that were in the Fully Inclusive Rate. I signed my name on the rental agreement and he gave me the keys.

A feature of Hertz which I found very informative is that they had an iPad attached to the counter which showed about 6 photos of the car I was renting. The purpose of this as it was explained to me is that I could see any existing damage from wheels, tires to sidewall panels! I could even tap the photo and it would enlarge the photo. I was advised that once I signed the screen it would be emailed to me. This would allow me to determine if I had added any new dents or scratches. That wasn't really a concern for me as I had the fully inclusive rate with no deductible.

They pulled the car around and I walked around it to check the tire and wheels (not covered by Super Cover) and they were fine. Fintan Murray then took my luggage out of his car and placed them into my rental car. He took the time to go over the controls and features of the VW Golf. I was heading west to Sligo area so he told me he would 'pilot' me out to the N4 which is the road that takes me to Sligo. I followed him very easily and all the while getting more comfortable with the left hand side of the road with the steering wheel on the right hand side. It was about 15 minutes of Pilot service and when I reached the N4 turn off he waived me on.

I can tell you Fintan was incredible. Very personable, prompt, informative and reassuring. The transfer and pilot service is he best service to have to start the trip off well.

More later.