Gawd, that looked scary. Usually the roundabouts in America have only one lane, thus only one car at a time is coming at you, and you know when to stop and when to go. In Ireland & esp. England, there's a load of cars in the roundabout and it's really confusing and frightening for the hapless American driver. If you go, people honk their horns at you and if you stop, people honk their horns at you. Thus, I've opted for a van tour this time. :)
You should check out our mini roundabouts. They turn junctions between major and minor roads into a kind of death trap crossroads where you yield to traffic coming from the right. Most people dont know what to do.
That's true, but it's almost impossible to find instructions as to exactly what you should do in a two lane r a b. It took me three trips to Ireland before I didn't piss people off anymore.
Weird, you don't have any roundabouts in America...?
In Denmark they have been replacing ordinary crosses with roundabout - roundabouts are generally safer and better for the environment (if you know how to use them), as you don't have to stop.
yeah its always the structure that is at fault. not the wrong lane entering, change of lane whilst on the roundabout which caused a sloppy exit..........
LOL, wrong lane... should have been on the right hand lane when entering the roundabout... but not to worry, most of the yokels can't use them anyways.
Had a crash in exact that roundabout in April last year. But it was only a minor damage so we went to Knox's that night (and the days after) to celebrate. Don't drive without a full insurance overthere. BTW - if you see all those cars with an "L" - they don't even have a driving license.
I'll make sure we get a driving lesson next time before we come thru Ennis. Noone explains how to use the roundabouts to tourists... and yes, we do know how to use the turn signals.
@bf1964bf Good idea - but when tourists from the US come in, they're extremely tired anyway. Who knows? I think you might want to check with the car rental people at the airports and see if they'd hire you to do a quick instruction before people rented the cars.
You were turning right on to the Gort road, but you stayed in the left lane until you were on the roundabout? Jesus, no wonder they pulled out. I bet you couldn't be bothered to indicate either.
I remember my first round-a-about (just after picking up the rental car at Shannon). The next day I lost the side mirror on the car in Ennis! But it didn't take long to get use to driving on the left side. I can't believe folks travel to Ireland but won't drive a car once they get there. It is the best way to see the country. Thanks for the video.
I think you're right! We were coming thru Ennis on our way to Limerick... again... It's very funny that someone recognized that particular roundabout!
Left lane is for 1st and 2nd exits - right lane for all other exits.
thorneel 1 year ago
That is some hardcore driving there guys. Keep it up. CRAZY.
davsheep 1 year ago
Gawd, that looked scary. Usually the roundabouts in America have only one lane, thus only one car at a time is coming at you, and you know when to stop and when to go. In Ireland & esp. England, there's a load of cars in the roundabout and it's really confusing and frightening for the hapless American driver. If you go, people honk their horns at you and if you stop, people honk their horns at you. Thus, I've opted for a van tour this time. :)
HuntersMoon73 1 year ago
That was easy. Try some of the hubcab (3-foot) roundabouts, where the view to the right is blocked by a stone wall.
ALSO,
Roundabouts abound (PUN) in Ireland because of one thing. They're cheaper to maintain than traffic lights.
ALSO,
Once a roundabout is installed at an intersection of two roads the legal definition "intersection" goes away.
THUS,
It is perfectly legal to do a 360 (U-turn) at a roundabout. Try that at a 3-foot roundabout at rush hour!
bogsidebunny 2 years ago
clare ennis
mrwigglesathome 2 years ago
wrong lane, should be on the right
joe546734 2 years ago 2
left lane- first and second exits
Right lane- all other exits
joweho 2 years ago 11
THX I drive 4 years in UK.Should be useful THX
piesior 2 years ago
@joweho not really just the first and second exit , you use the left hand lane for anything before "12 oclock" anything after 12 is right hand lane.
micklfc2008 1 year ago
this is so funny
never new some1 could enjoy a roundabout so much
Irishproudness 2 years ago 6
I love roundabouts...they are like slingshots. And I like Stab City too.
IrishLincoln 2 years ago
lol you should have been in the right-hand lane if you were going around the roundabout. the left lane is for turning left only.
seanm1992 2 years ago
I know this NOW... lol. Hopefully I'll get another chance to use my new-found knowledge.
MCVALKRIE 2 years ago
Wrong lane! Learn your 12 o'clock rule!
taraodonovan 3 years ago
Whats the 12 o'clock rule???
charlotia 2 years ago
haha yup that's our roundabout in ennis!
animalcrazyirish 3 years ago
You should check out our mini roundabouts. They turn junctions between major and minor roads into a kind of death trap crossroads where you yield to traffic coming from the right. Most people dont know what to do.
jondo12 3 years ago
laf yeah heh wrong lane :)
left lane is for turning left or going straight (2nd exit)
Balmark 3 years ago 2
You should have been in the right lane when entering the roundabout, not the left one lol!!
lisa458 3 years ago 3
its only a roundabout...
senomad 3 years ago
you make it sound such fun.
cammocam 3 years ago
Haha... that's about half a mile from my house.
noelhogan 3 years ago
there not fun till you go around the wrong way
jmcgrth 3 years ago
Wrong lane
demonicdev 3 years ago 10
That's true, but it's almost impossible to find instructions as to exactly what you should do in a two lane r a b. It took me three trips to Ireland before I didn't piss people off anymore.
kirbyks 3 years ago
Weird, you don't have any roundabouts in America...?
In Denmark they have been replacing ordinary crosses with roundabout - roundabouts are generally safer and better for the environment (if you know how to use them), as you don't have to stop.
They're faster as well.
EspectroDK 3 years ago
We have them in Canada. Here and there, but they're not common.
We call them traffic circles anyway, regardless that entering vehicles have to yield.
blind51de 3 years ago
yeah its always the structure that is at fault. not the wrong lane entering, change of lane whilst on the roundabout which caused a sloppy exit..........
Maedhbh 3 years ago
LOL, wrong lane... should have been on the right hand lane when entering the roundabout... but not to worry, most of the yokels can't use them anyways.
TrueAiR 3 years ago
Had a crash in exact that roundabout in April last year. But it was only a minor damage so we went to Knox's that night (and the days after) to celebrate. Don't drive without a full insurance overthere. BTW - if you see all those cars with an "L" - they don't even have a driving license.
hansde3 4 years ago
Good fun, McValkrie, please give us a heads-up before your next trip over! lol
bigbeninjax 4 years ago
Will do! Wait... so you'll stay away from certain roundabouts on our itinerary??? lol!
MCVALKRIE 4 years ago
Oh, you've seen my driving??? Well, one less wacko in the roundabouts is bound to improve the odds.....
Sliante!
bigbeninjax 4 years ago
Awful driving, but to be fair most residents of Ireland haven't a clue how to use a round about. I should know I drive on Irish roads everyday.
MrTuxy 4 years ago 2
So funny. American's are always freaked out by our roundabouts. My girlfriend, who's a yank, hates them. I know the this particular one very well...
jratt2 4 years ago
that must be weird after driving on the other side of the road for so long. kudos on your driving!
voodoochilled1 4 years ago
i dont even stop when i come to that roundabout
dawnfreshmilk 4 years ago
Wow.
Soleado123 4 years ago
I'll make sure we get a driving lesson next time before we come thru Ennis. Noone explains how to use the roundabouts to tourists... and yes, we do know how to use the turn signals.
MCVALKRIE 4 years ago
brendan flanagan limerick hows things
just wondering about somit
i hve a full clean irish driving licence and just wondered
if i gave say half hour r hour crash courses of irish roads rules and tips etc would tourist pay me
you know when people come to ireland and cant figure out gear shift and roundabouts etc etc
would u hire a person at airport for this
please let me knw
baskeaton@yahoo.co.uk
r utube me at bf1964bf
bf1964bf 1 year ago
@bf1964bf Good idea - but when tourists from the US come in, they're extremely tired anyway. Who knows? I think you might want to check with the car rental people at the airports and see if they'd hire you to do a quick instruction before people rented the cars.
MCVALKRIE 1 year ago
You were turning right on to the Gort road, but you stayed in the left lane until you were on the roundabout? Jesus, no wonder they pulled out. I bet you couldn't be bothered to indicate either.
cheersthen 4 years ago
you were in the wrong lane to take the second exit. I think the Guards should contact interpol about you
funkrod 4 years ago 2
I remember my first round-a-about (just after picking up the rental car at Shannon). The next day I lost the side mirror on the car in Ennis! But it didn't take long to get use to driving on the left side. I can't believe folks travel to Ireland but won't drive a car once they get there. It is the best way to see the country. Thanks for the video.
xvzaqp 5 years ago
When you are driving for the first time on the left side of the road and then figuring out the roundabouts, God help us all.
The car should be tagged AMERICAN DRIVER- BEWARE!
Grannybid 5 years ago
that roundabout's in ennis seabhcan
echomadman 5 years ago
I think you're right! We were coming thru Ennis on our way to Limerick... again... It's very funny that someone recognized that particular roundabout!
MCVALKRIE 5 years ago
Thats the maid of eireann statue roundabout...
TRIVIUMcrusader666 5 years ago
I always wondered why tourists come to Limerick. Now I know...
seabhcan 5 years ago
Roger Roger Roger... In this and so many other ways, I glad I know where you live...
MCVALKRIE 5 years ago
It would have been more interesting if you had crashed.
rogerfritz 5 years ago