Driving and Warnings
The rental car was a little expensive . . . . $1,550 for the month because I (a) upgraded to an automatic and (b) took out every insurance they offered!
YES, you do drive on the wrong side of the road. The LEFT side is the correct side. It's easy if you remember, "ME IN THE MIDDLE". If you are not physically seated in the middle of the road, then you are on the wrong side!
Now, what I am about to say is very important. Whenever possible (and many, many times it's just not possible) drive on roads that have a R, M, or N preceding their name or number. That means they are paved with at least one lane in each direction. If it has an L or just a number or someone's name, get ready! These are typically 6 - 8' wide paved OR unpaved roads that are two-way. Yes, I said two-way. Locals think nothing of us tourists, pulling over to the left side, stopping and maybe closing our eyes, praying as they pass by.
They happily raise a finger or fingers in acknowledgment and you should do the same. Now, when I say raise a finger, I do not mean the middle or bird/aviary finger, but rather the index finger. Please do not pull over with traffic behind you OR you may get 'that special' finger!
Another important thing is the beautiful hedge you see on the side of the road. It is hiding a stone wall several hundred years old and your car will lose that battle.
ROUNDABOUTS - Ireland does not have our crazy American highway system with all the overpasses, exit and entrance ramps. They have roundabouts. Taking turns, you enter when you can and you pull over and off at your exit. If you miss the exit, you just drive around again.
THEN there is the GPS! Mine had the most wicked sense of humor, constantly telling me to make a U-turn and I had to edit some of my videos as I was cursing at it to 'SHUT UP'.
I only had two minor driving incidents the entire 30 days I was in Ireland. Unfortunately, they were only 2 hours apart. I was driving from Northern Ireland to County Leitrim when a very large commercial truck came toward me in the opposite lane. I was 'concerned' (okay, I admit it.... I was panicked) and noticed the roadway extended a little to the left, so I pulled over about 8". What I had pulled into was a narrow, deep ditch full of water and mud. Stuck in the ditch, my car was making terrible noises and the steering wheel acted possessed. I could either pull to the left and go over a low wall, head into a lake (lough) or take my chances on the road.
I pulled hard to the right, popped out of the ditch, missing traffic and into a driveway where a landowner was tending his border garden. Luckily, two kind men stopped and changed my tire from the damaged/bubble to the small spare.
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Admit it!
The wet ground does resemble the road. It hid the narrow deep ditch.
Shakily, I drove to the nearest village and found a restaurant.
During my conversation with the waitress, the family name O'Rourke came up. "Eh", she says, "I know Paddy O'Rourke, he's right down the road." This begins a free for all conversation with everyone in the restaurant on the best way to get to Paddy's place.
Feeling better, I thanked everyone for their help and took off to find Paddy O'Rourke. Well, at least that was my intent!
My GPS is not in agreement with the human directions and keeps telling me to make a U-turn. Trying to ignore it's insistent voice, I didn't notice that I am driving UP the road. That is until I reach the top and look down. My stomach tightens as do my hands on the steering wheel. Slowly I make my way down while praying no other vehicles will be on this narrow road. Florida is flat so the only 'hill' is in the middle of the State. I felt like I was riding the Sheikra roller coaster at Busch Gardens in Tampa.
Finally, I am on level ground and I can take a deep breath. I hear cows mooing and feel I am close to civilization. I drive on slowly and observe several cows and their cute month-old calves. One particularly large cow is not happy that I am there and lets it be known with loud bellows. I decide to continue on, driving forward about 10 feet when I see a truck coming around a curve. NOOO! He wants to share this narrow piece of road!
Now, I am fairly bright and I had seen a cattle gate so that meant there was solid ground to move cattle from one pasture to another. I raise my hand in friendly greeting and begin backing up and to the left so the truck can pass. He smiles, waves and passes by. I am so proud of myself.
I am basking in the glow of my own pride and promptly put the car in drive and pull forward. ERROR! I did not put the car in drive and pull out to the right onto the road. No, I went straight into another ditch. This one was wide and deep. So much so that my car sat on it's undercarriage and the wheels were not touching the ground.
Thankfully the other driver returned and asked if I had any rope. ROPE?
Naturally, I overpacked for this trip...one very large suitcase, one overstuffed carry-on, an enormous tote I faked as my purse and now, two crutches, but I did not have the foresight to pack rope!
He goes for help and returns with another man and in the ways of the Irish, luck did shine upon me. I am out of the ditch! But now they want to give me differing directions to Paddy's and I just want a cold Guinness. I really don't care if it's only 11:00 am.
This is 'Toby' (a real lady's man) and part of my rescue team!
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