Getting Started
I reland, roughly the size of Maine, is well-suited for a good road trip. Remember, however, that you will be driving on the left hand side of the road and that street signs are not sitting out on posts as they are here, but are likely to be found on the sides of buildings or walls. In both cases, it is just a matter of time before you adjust to the new orientation. In most of the country, road signs are in both English and Gaelic.  

The first time visitor driving across the heart of Ireland will want to start their voyage in Dublin and depart home through the Shannon airport. You should spend a day in Dublin, before heading off westwards across the farmlands of counties Kildare and Westmeath, to Athlone and Clonmacnoise. Next, on to Galway City, which makes an ideal central point for visiting the Connemara region, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. Then on to Limerick, associated with the best-selling novel, Angela's Ashes, the picturesque village of Adare and, finally, the attractions of the Shannon airport area. 

History All Around You
Enroute to Galway, passing through gorgeous horse country, you can visit Clonmacnois in the bog country on the banks of the Shannon River, sitting on the heart of the land. Clonmacnois was founded in the 6th century by St. Claran and was one of Europe's great centers of learning for nearly 1,000 years. Found here are the remains of a cathedral, eight churches, and 62-foot O'Rourke's round tower, where the monks climbed to hide from would-be attackers through the ages. High crosses richly carved with religious symbols stand in the open grassy areas along with the graves of two of Ireland's high kings, one being that of Rory O'Conor, the last. It's an  awesome sight, where the ghosts of the past fill the air.

Getting Around
Car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz and Budget are located at all major airports and cities.

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