Hi all, I'm landing in Ireland for a month on March 16th and was wondering what kind of luck I'm going have hitching there? I've heard it's pretty easy, but does anyone have firsthand experience?
I'm landing in Shannon on the 16h. I'll be in Sixmilebridge for a couple days to get used to the time difference, then I'm gonna try to hitch my way up to Connemara. After that, I'm not sure yet. =)
Posts: 64 | Location: tennessee, united states | Registered: 21 January 2005
My favourite part of Ireland was co. Clare - don't miss Ennis, the Cliffs of Moher or the Burren. Doolin (near the Cliffs) is a good place to meet other backpackers.
yeah, brilliant book is Round Ireland with a Fridge. you shouldn't have any problems with hitching, many will even offer a bed. hope your time is fantastic, and consider coming up to the North. All the best!
Eilís --There is no element of creation without the passions of feeling, but there is no poetry in word without the emotions of life.--
Hitching in Ireland is more common than I've seen elsewhere in Europe. The whole English-speaking thing is a help, too. I met a girl who travels ony by hitching.
I read through a little bit of the fridge book a few days ago. Now that would be an interesting experience!
Eilis, I'll surely come up north for a visit as well. I have a friend in Armagh i'm looking forward to having a pint with. What is Paddy's like in Ireland? I'm looking forward to that, the day after I land.
Posts: 64 | Location: tennessee, united states | Registered: 21 January 2005
Wow, what a surprise it was to see this posting from such a long time ago. For what it's worth, I had an absolute blast in Ireland. The hitchhiking was very easy and the people were great. The only area I had trouble with was Connemara. Outside of Clifden, the cars were few and far between. On the worst day, I think I ended up walking 13 or so miles in the rain before I got a ride. However, that ride led to meeting some interesting local guys who took me off-roading.
I had such a good time in fact, that I'm landing in Shannon again on January 23rd and will be slowly hitchhiking my way towards Turkey.
Yeehaw
Posts: 64 | Location: tennessee, united states | Registered: 21 January 2005
ya, hitchhiking in ireland was a blast! we hitchiked the entire circumference of the island and it was sooo brilliant... we didnt wait for more than 20 minutes and for the most part it took about 10 minutes before we got picked up... the irish must be the friendliest people in the world!
While it sounds fun to meet new folks and to hitchhike -- I was wondering if it's possible to go from Dublin to Shannon and back within a day? Does one just stick their thumbs out or what?
Also what are the people's attitude toward deaf people? I know they're deemed as the friendliest but don't want any misunderstandings.
Thanks!
Posts: 15 | Location: Oceanside, California | Registered: 20 June 2006
While I've never hitchhiked Ireland I do know a thing or two about being deaf in Ireland. Do you know British Sign Language? Or are hearing enough that you can speak? It is unlikely that anyone there will know ASL,you may find a language barrier. Attitudes towards the deaf there are as they are in the US, ignored for the most part.
(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._)(¯`·._) Image of Ireland that most Americans have: everyones redheaded, everywheres a cute little village. everything is green and covered in clovers. and leprechauns run around freely chasing after thier lucky charms
Posts: 210 | Location: Oroville, CA | Registered: 12 October 2006
Originally posted by Landire: While I've never hitchhiked Ireland I do know a thing or two about being deaf in Ireland. Do you know British Sign Language? Or are hearing enough that you can speak? It is unlikely that anyone there will know ASL,you may find a language barrier. Attitudes towards the deaf there are as they are in the US, ignored for the most part.
Ignored for the most part? -- here in US it's not that bad, slowly getting recognition, just some people are old-skool.
I do know some BSL alphabet, and have a Deaf friend here whose first language is BSL, could ask him for some tips. I can speak just fine (aside from a bit of the "deaf accent") I don't think there'll be a huge language barrier -- would be fun to pick up a new language here and there.
Posts: 15 | Location: Oceanside, California | Registered: 20 June 2006
Sassydeaf, Shannon to Dublin could be done in a day, or it could take you three days. It all depends on who passes your way.
I haven't seen any noticeably deaf folks in Ireland, but the people are generally friendly and I don't think you'll have any problems.
EDIT: Just saw that you said Dublin to Shannon and back in one day, rather than just Shannon to Dublin. While that would be physically possible, I very seriously doubt it could happen unless you got a single ride for each leg of the trip and didn't do much else in between. It would be a long day regardless.
Posts: 64 | Location: tennessee, united states | Registered: 21 January 2005
Hey hitchhiking is still pretty straightforward in Ireland. Keep your wits about you anyway... be sure and have your 'wet gear' with you... enjoy my lovely country! xm
had i the heavens embroidered cloths..........
Posts: 27 | Location: ireland | Registered: 03 May 2005
I had stayed in a hostel in Galway (the Arch View, which is filthy but has a certain charm) and drove out to the Burren the next day.
I was driving along for a quite a bit, wandering and getting lost, and then decided to pick up a hitchhiker. He got in and said ... "Jen?" - WTF???? I had never seen the man in my life and was a bit afraid, only to find out I had spent ages talking to him the night before at the hostel in a slight alcohol induced haze. Small country or what?
Originally posted by Jennifer in Hobart: Funny story about hitchhiking in Ireland...
I had stayed in a hostel in Galway (the Arch View, which is filthy but has a certain charm) and drove out to the Burren the next day.
I was driving along for a quite a bit, wandering and getting lost, and then decided to pick up a hitchhiker. He got in and said ... "Jen?" - WTF???? I had never seen the man in my life and was a bit afraid, only to find out I had spent ages talking to him the night before at the hostel in a slight alcohol induced haze. Small country or what?
Too funny. The general consensus in here in the states---especially for women---is if you hitchhike, you'll probably never be seen again. Its SO dangerous.
formerly jjdpallday
Posts: 356 | Location: Vermont | Registered: 15 December 2006
Too funny. The general consensus in here in the states---especially for women---is if you hitchhike, you'll probably never be seen again. Its SO dangerous.
No kidding, my parents almost had a fit when I told them I hitched in Ireland. Obviously nothing bad happend, but I did meet a lovely couple who offered me a ride to belfast and a bed.
I met a girl who travels ony by hitching.
Small country or what? 
