2 weeks driving in Ireland

[Hell27]

Just got back from a great 2 weeks holiday in Ireland, County Kerry (near Tralee). Just thought I'd post a thread about driving over there, see if any Irish PH'ers on who thought similar, or others who have driven out there?

The Motorways are OK, generally good quality 2 laners, but less traffic, and I've found there are a lot of more sensible drivers there (allow space for faster vehicles to overtake)
Generally the R roads are in very poor condition - lots of good fast country roads that are bumpy as old cart tracks - I found the 5's suspension very harsh and unforgiving there. I'd have loved to have been in a Range Rover, Forester, or Jag/Merc due to this.
Driving standards as mentioned before generally good, more road sense. However, lots of people drive VERY fast all the time, and tailgate a fair bit.
However, the best bits had to have been the scenery - the mountain roads, wild countryside, long tree lined avenues led to some very memorable drives.

Overall, a positive experience, but take a car with big tyres and soft suspension. 3 years ago I took a mondeo estate to County Wexford, and hardly noticed the bumpy roads.

Oh, and the people were great. Really friendly and gave a warm welcome.

[v8will]

I'm in the North but that pretty much sums it up. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

[KardioKate]

I hope you didn't forgery to yield.

Oh and watch out for those pesky kneeling busses.

[Johnboy Mac]

Hell27 said:

and I've found there are a lot of more sensible drivers there (allow space for faster vehicles to overtake)

I must be living in a different country or else I need a set of white & yellow's!

Glad you enjoyed yourself.

[Mars]

I've toured twice in Ireland in Caterhams. The first time in 99 seemed OK but by the time I returned in 03 (I think) in a stiffer Caterham admittedly, the roads were bad enough to shake your teeth out in the republic. They had "top dressed" a lot of them but left ripples in the surface which a Caterham couldn't iron-out.

[cailean]

I have been on family hols there in our Legacy a few times and always enjoyed driving there. Interesting roads and you can enjoy driving, especially cross country. The car always seem to come back with a nice coating of mud and dirt :-)

[Conor D]

You also have the Irish Overtake, as alot of the main roads are very wide it's common for traffic to move in towards the hard shoulder if they see faster moving traffic coming behind them.

[Hell27]

KardioKate said:

I hope you didn't forgery to yield.

Oh and watch out for those pesky kneeling busses.

Did not forget at all, let faster guys past not an issue to me. Found your dream E36 yet?
I loved my 323i, would highly recommend picking one up. Or consider looking for an e34 540i.

[KardioKate]

Hell27 said:

Did not forget at all, let faster guys past not an issue to me. Found your dream E36 yet?
I loved my 323i, would highly recommend picking one up. Or consider looking for an e34 540i.

Sorry was being a bit cheeky about their 'Give way' signs

Not found 'the one' yet no

[Oldandslow]

Also you get SLOW painted on the road and then SLOWER because they know you wouldn't really pay attention to the first bit.

[Kwai Chang Caine]

I'm ashamed, now I'm an old man, to admit it but the last time I went driving in Ireland in 2003 I got a police escort to the ferry at DL with a "if you weren't on your way home I'd arrest you" from the not so friendly po-po.

I was 21 and had picked up my new M3 two days before the trip so was enjoying stretching its legs.

Apparently, on the east coast road the police had had over 10 calls from locals about the loud English hooligan before they caught up with me.

I wasn't even driving that fast (1200 mile running in etc). The things we do when young!

[HellDiver]

Try the Ring of Kerry. Now THAT is a bad road. I went about 18 months ago, and even in the Mondeo with it's comedy suspension (makes a small French car look low and sporty), we were nearly shaken to death. Even hit the front subframe on one hole...

[crox]

HellDiver said:

Try the Ring of Kerry. Now THAT is a bad road. I went about 18 months ago, and even in the Mondeo with it's comedy suspension (makes a small French car look low and sporty), we were nearly shaken to death. Even hit the front subframe on one hole...

Yep, did the ring of Kerry in a BMW 1 er a few years ago, with sports suspension and run flats, swear we took off at times.

[kicks]

Glad you said the driving standards were relatively good. Irish people only complain about them but I think they're good too. I'm living in France at the moment and it's mental over here on the roads. I'm from the north west of Ireland. Roads are tight and twisty mostly badly surfaced but there are some hidden gems that are smooth and have few potholes.

[Digga]

Hell27 said:

I'd have loved to have been in a Range Rover, Forester, or Jag/Merc due to this.

Mrs Digga and I tried (in vain) to break the dog with some mahoosive walks in Connemara (beatiful countryside) a few years back.

I can confirm that the Discovery we had at the time ate up the trip to and from the Dublin fast ferry with great ease.