10 tips for a less-loopy road trip

1. Think small car: Roads are narrow (lanes were created for horses, not cars), and there are rarely shoulders.

2. Upgrade: Package tours usually come with a manual transmission car. Learning to shift with your left hand, while driving on the left side of the road, is tough. Get an automatic.

3. Take the GPS too: It will make you crazy at times, but you need all the help you can get.

4. Take plastic: Gas is expensive. Most stations take Visa and MasterCard.

5. Feeling loopy? Roundabouts are ubiquitous. Take a few minutes to watch one in action. Yield to traffic coming from the right.

6. Don’t drive at night: It’s too easy to get lost.

7. Drive in dry weather: You’ll get wet asking directions when you get lost.

8. Ditch the car in Dublin: Traffic is fierce. Walk or take the bus.

9. Backroads are fun: Many travelers stay off the beaten path and explore rural areas, where traffic is less hectic and it’s easier to meet the gracious people of Ireland.

10. Be patient: The pace is different here. Slow down and enjoy it.

-- Rosemary McClure