Know Before You Go: Ireland

Before I ever went to Ireland I probably watched The Quiet Man three or fifteen times, so the country had a lot to live up to.

I mean, really:

And while there were far fewer pub fights and quite a bit more tourists, the country really did live up to my expectations in nearly every way. So, here are 5 observations I had while delighting in the Emerald Isle.

1. You can manage the driving.

My trusty driver.

Coming from the USA, driving in Ireland is a lot. A lot of driving on the wrong side of the road, a lot of round a bouts, a lot of jaywalkers, a lot of sheep, a lot of manual transmissions, a lot of "roads" that barely are. Our first trip to Ireland was Jorge's first time driving in a foreign country and he decided to go with a stick shift, because he's comfortable with it and it was a lot cheaper than booking an automatic transmission. This means he had to shift with his left hand, while driving on the left side of the road. I also mapped out a route that took us off the bigger highways and through small country/cliff side roads. So you know, basically a recipe for the scariest drives you can imagine.

Come at me bro.

Yes, those are headlights coming at us. 


 Nothing like rain to make the drive even safer.

 BUT these are the kinds of places you can get to in your own car.

So, how do you manage the driving? 

• Before you go, understand the rules of the road.
• Practice when you first pick up your car. Drive around the parking lot, make sure you know where the windshield wipers, lights and all the buttons are. 
• Have someone with you that can navigate, give you a second pair of eyes, and coach you through the round a bouts.
• Take all the time you need. Pull over (somewhere safe) if you need a break. Go as slow as you need to feel comfortable. Take an extra second or two before turning. Wait.
• Use your horn. Honk as you're coming up a hill to a blind spot, going through a tunnel or crossing a bridge. Do everything you can possibly think of to warn other drivers especially if visibility is limited.
• Be proactive about pulling over. When you're on a one way road, there will be pull over spots to the right and left. The ones to the left are for you. If you see a car coming, pull over when you can and let them pass. If there is someone riding your tail (you're a slow tourist), pull over and let them pass.
• Overestimate your driving time to give yourself a safe buffer. Do less than you think you can.

2. Take a raincoat. Leave the umbrella.

If you are in Ireland for any appreciable length of time, it will most likely rain. Umbrellas are a pain in the ass and you really won't see many of them. Just get yourself a serviceable rain coat (and rain pants if you're hiking). Preferably one with a hood. I also find a baseball hat useful to help keep the rain out of your face. Here's everything I packed for 1+ week in Ireland.

3. Stay in a B&B. 

Skip the hotels. Save the Marriott for when you're somewhere in North Caroline on business. You went to Ireland to go to Ireland - so experience as much as you can, and this includes the B&B culture. When we first went to Ireland we had never stayed in a B&B before and were a little nervous about it. I booked about 1/2 hotels and 1/2 B&B's because I wasn't sure we would like it. We very quickly realized how much more we appreciated our B&B stays. We were able to talk to locals on a more intimate and personal level, we got travel advice, fantastic breakfasts and if we were very lucky they would have a dog or two I could play with. So if you haven't done it before, dive right in and book at least a few B&B's for your stay.

4. People are genuinely interested in each other.

Guess what, I'm interested in you too! Despite my resting bitch face, discomfort with non familial physical contact and avoidance of most social situations, I am actually really interested in other people's lives. You are too - that's why Facebook and Instagram and Snapchat are taking over the world. The thing is, people in Ireland have sort of got the whole "in person" thing figured out a little better than we do.  It was easy to strike up conversations in bars, with our hosts and other tourists. It was rare to see groups or families all stuck on their phones at dinner or at the bar, and it was a refreshing change of pace.

5. It's so beautiful and magical and I can't stop thinking or talking about it.

   Jerpoint Abbey 

Drombeg stone circle

Coastal route heading towards Malin Head

Along the coast to Malin Head 

Kinsale  

Gap of Dunloe

 

Hiking in Connemara

Hiking in Connemara

So, don't hesitate to book a trip to Ireland. Drive a car and spend some time exploring the coastal routes and smaller towns. Put away your cell phone and try to connect with people you meet along the way. Then, go back as often as you can once you've realized that no amount of time is ever enough.