Car Rental in Ireland

[msled]

We will be stopping at Cork & Belfast on a cruise in July.  We have never been to Europe.  I have been searching on the boards, to no avail, for suggestions or info on renting a car.  We like to do this to just wander the countryside and sightsee.  Anyone have information on how doable this is in Ireland?  Are car rentals available near the port?  Any particular restrictions or problems with a US citizen renting there?

 

Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

Well...they drive on the other side of the road....

 

Otherwise there aren't any issues renting a car. You will need a International Driving Permit...I think it is now $20 at AAA. 

 

Can't answer about specific rental car locations in each pot.

[VMax1700]

Here is a link to a rental company who rent close to Cobh Cruise Port.  https://www.greatislandcarrentals.com

Remember a couple of things: 

We drive on the left side of the road here.

The roads are mostly narrow and twisty in the countryside, so allow more time than you think it will take.

Most cars are manual (stick shift) - make sure you know what type of car you are selecting.

A large car or van takes up more space on the narrow road!

 

[Langoustine]

Some rental companies have age restrictions once you get to 70. And the extra insurance for damage to the vehicle is a really good idea: due to the narrowness of some of the roads, there is a good chance you will damage, or at least scratch, the side of the vehicle.

[anthonyy7]

In Belfast, we rented a car from the city airport (15 min taxi from port).  Where the ship docks is a temporary tent so no cars to rent, etc....  We were the first off the ship and already there was 3 taxis pulling up.  We picked up our car and was the very first ones at Giants Causeway and spent 45 min there alone.  By the time we were walking back up to the car park, we passed 100-200 people coming down.  We parked free at the hotel and afterward we had breakfast there and used the restroom.  Afterward we quickly stopped at Dunlace Castle down the road and headed down to Mount Stewart which was south of Belfast.  We spent the rest of our time here including lunch.  On the return we stopped by Scrabo tower for some photos.  Having a car let us beat the crowds at the Causeway and enjoy the countryside.  Mt Stewart was not busy and it seemed overlooked by most but very much worth a visit.

 

If you do rent a car in Belfast, make sure it's at the city airport, not the international which is far away.  Also, if you use credit card insurance for renting a car make sure what/if certain countries are excluded.  N. Ireland is usually one those countries

 

[wheezedr]

On 5/4/2019 at 5:29 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Well...they drive on the other side of the road....

 

Otherwise there aren't any issues renting a car. You will need a International Driving Permit...I think it is now $20 at AAA. 

 

Can't answer about specific rental car locations in each pot.

Multiple times renting in both England and Ireland and have never needed an international driving permit.

[CruiserBruce]

7 hours ago, wheezedr said:

Multiple times renting in both England and Ireland and have never needed an international driving permit.

As discussed in many of the threads, the IDP is only required by the police. And it can be a severe penalty if you don't have one when the police stop you, like hundreds of euros. I have never needed one to rent the car, and have rented outside the US probably 2 dozen times..the rental companies don't require them. But have shown them to police twice.

[wheezedr]

3 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

As discussed in many of the threads, the IDP is only required by the police. And it can be a severe penalty if you don't have one when the police stop you, like hundreds of euros. I have never needed one to rent the car, and have rented outside the US probably 2 dozen times..the rental companies don't require them. But have shown them to police twice.

I notice you do not mention which countries you were asked to show the IDP in.  Since the primary value of the IDP is the fact that your DL information is translated , that would limit its need in English speaking countries.  

I have gotten an IDP for an extended driving trip in Italy but never for England, Ireland, France, the Scandinavian countries, New Zealand,etc., all places where English is primary or readily translatable.  The OP specified Ireland and he will not need an IDP there.

[ducklite]

13 hours ago, wheezedr said:

Multiple times renting in both England and Ireland and have never needed an international driving permit.

Avis required one when we rented in London in 2015.