Ireland Which Side Of The Road
So, you're planning a trip to the Emerald Isle. Brilliant! You've got your Guinness budget sorted, your rain jacket packed, and you've even practiced a few "Top o' the mornin'...
So, you're planning a trip to the Emerald Isle. Brilliant! You've got your Guinness budget sorted, your rain jacket packed, and you've even practiced a few "Top o' the mornin's" (please don't actually say that). But then you freeze. Which side of the road do they drive on?
Relax. Take a breath. It's the left. Yes, like the UK, Japan, and Australia. They do things a little sideways over there, literally.
I know, I know. It feels weird if you're from the US or mainland Europe. Your brain screams "This is wrong!" every time you see a car coming from the wrong way. But after about ten minutes, it starts to feel… charming? Like a secret club you've just joined.
Why do they do this? The short answer is history. Old, stubborn, horse-drawn history. Back in the day, people kept to the left to keep their right sword arm free for fighting. Because nothing says "friendly Irish welcome" like a swinging broadsword.
The longer answer involves the British Empire. Ireland was part of it for a while, so the left-hand rule stuck. Even after independence, they thought, "Eh, it works. Why bother flipping everything?" Fair point.
Now, the real fun part starts when you get behind the wheel. The gear shift is in your left hand. The turn signal is on your right. You'll accidentally turn on the windshield wipers about forty times before lunch. I promise you, it's a rite of passage.
And roundabouts? Oh, boy. The roundabouts. You enter them going clockwise. Your brain will short-circuit. You'll sit at the entrance, muttering, "Look right, look left, look right again… wait, no, look left first?" It's a beautiful, confusing mess.
But here's the secret: the Irish are very forgiving. They see your rented Ford Fiesta with the rental sticker on the back. They know you're a lost lamb. They'll give you a wide berth and a cheerful wave. No honking, no road rage. Just a little "Sure, you're grand!" through the window.
Don't even get me started on the narrow roads. You know those postcard photos of green hills with stone walls? Those walls are right there. On both sides of a road that barely fits one car. You'll be scraping hedges and praying to St. Christopher.
2 Weeks in Ireland: The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary - Road Affair
Then comes the dreaded encounter. Two cars, one lane. Someone has to reverse. In Ireland, the rule is simple: the person closest to the nearest "passing point" (a tiny dent in the wall) does the reversing. But nobody follows that rule. It's a dance of politeness.
You'll spend five minutes waving at each other. "No, you go!" "Ah, no, sure you go!" It's the most passive-aggressive standoff you'll ever enjoy. Eventually, someone gives in. Probably you, because you're already stressed.
What about the pedestrians? Oh, they don't care. They'll step into the street without looking. They own the road. J-walking isn't a thing here. It's "crossing with reckless abandon." Just smile and slow down. They're probably on their way to a pub.
And here's a tip: pay attention to parking. In some towns, you park facing any direction. In others, it's strictly with the traffic flow. You'll see a row of cars all facing left, and yours facing right. You'll get a ticket faster than you can say "Sláinte." Not fun.
Also, beware of the tourist trap. You see a beautiful coastal road. It's narrow. It's twisty. And it's three meters above a cliff with no guardrail. Your hands will sweat. Your knuckles will turn white. But the view of the Atlantic is worth it. Mostly.
But honestly? Driving on the left is part of the adventure. It keeps you alert. It forces you to pay attention. You can't just zone out on a long motorway. Every junction is a tiny puzzle. "Do I go left? No, that's oncoming traffic. Right is left. Ugh."
Rick Steves' Tip For Americans Driving On The 'Wrong Side Of The Road
I have a friend who visited Dublin. He took a rental car, immediately drove onto a roundabout the wrong way, and got beeped at by a bus driver. The bus driver just shook his head and laughed. That's the spirit.
So, here's my advice: Just go with it. Trust the locals. Follow the car in front of you. And if you get lost, pull over. Ask someone. The Irish love giving directions. Even if they're wrong. "Ah, you'll want to take the third left after the pub that burned down in '98…"
And for the love of all that is holy, don't let your passengers backseat drive. Especially if they're from the US. "Are you sure that's the right lane?" Yes, Susan. I'm sure. Now let me focus on not hitting a sheep.
Sheep, by the way, have no road sense. They'll just stand there. Staring. Judging your driving. They are the true traffic wardens of Ireland.
At the end of the day, driving on the left will become second nature. By day three, you'll be zipping around bends like a local. Then you'll get back to your home country and try to drive on the left. And you'll nearly cause a ten-car pileup at a gas station. It's the circle of life.
So, pack your bags. Rent the car. Embrace the chaos. And remember: look left, then right, then left again. Then pray. You'll be grand. Sláinte!
