Driving in Ireland

This is not as hard to get used to driving on the left as many people anticipate, after all everyone else is doing it too! Most problems that arise do so either at junctions, when it is easy to momentarily forget and go to the right, or on narrow uncrowded roads where it is easy to drift to the right. Make it a habit to pause at junctions before you make a turn and think for a moment about where you want to end up on the new road.

While in some countries, including the USA, the general rule is that you can make a right turn at a red light provided the road is clear, the equivalent is not the case in Ireland. You cannot turn left on a red light, ever.

Many country roads are not well marked. Therefore, it is most helpful to know the name of the next town or village on your route. Directional road signs are usually a single post with a number of arrows pointing in different directions. In some instances it is difficult to determine which way the arrows are pointing. Some signs are broken and the arrows are pointing in the wrong direction. Don't be afraid to stop and ask for directions. The locals are usually very helpful and more than willing to offer assistance.