Page 369 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  367

Parking unreliable weather, however, DIRECTORY
Finding parking in Ireland used can be something of a
to be easy, but this is no longer hindrance. Shops such as Car-Rental Companies
the case. Due to increased Kearney in Galway, rent bikes to Alamo
congestion, the majority of tourists and are usually open at Tel 0870 599 4000 (UK).
towns now have paid least six or seven days a Tel 877 222 9075 (US).
parking on and off street. week. It is often possible ∑ alamo.com
Dublin, Belfast and a to rent a bike in one
few other cities have town and drop it off at Argus Rent-a-Car
either parking meters or another for a small Tel (0) 23 83002 (Ireland).
(fairly expensive) parking Parking disc sign charge. You can also take ∑ argusrentals.com
lots. Parking on the bikes on buses and trains, Avis
street is allowed, though a usually for a small surcharge. Tel 021 432 7460 (Cork).
single yellow line along the Many dea lers can provide Tel 08445 818181 (UK).
edge of the road means there safety helmets, but it is always Tel 800 331 1084 (US). ∑ avis.com
are some restrictions (there best to bring your own
should be a sign nearby lightweight waterproof Budget
showing the permitted park ing clothing to help cope with Tel 01 844 5150 (Dublin).
times). Double yellow lines the unpredictable weather. Tel 800 793159 (US). ∑ budget.ie
indicate that no parking is Dan Dooley
allowed at any time. Tel 062 53103 (Dublin).
Disc parking – a version of Security Roadblocks in ∑ dan-dooley.ie
Northern Ireland
“pay & display” – operates in Hertz
most large towns and cities in In the late 1960s, when the Tel 01 844 5466 (Dublin).
the Republic and the Northern Ireland Tel 0207 026 007 (UK).
North. Discs Troubles began, road­ Tel 800 654 3001 (US).
can be purchased from blocks were introduced ∑ hertz.com
fuel stations, roadside on to the roads, with
machines, tourist offi ces checkpoints staffed by Holiday Autos
and many shops. the army or the police. Tel 0871 472 5229 (UK).
In Northern Ire land, These days, the peace ∑ holidayautos.co.uk
almost all towns and agreement has led to a Irish Car Rentals
villages have Control Warning sign in much more relaxed atti­ Tel 1850 206088 (ROI).
Zones, which are Northern Ireland tude and if you are trav­ Tel 0800 4747 4227 (UK).
indicated by large yellow elling by road, wheth er ∑ irishcarrentals.com
or pink signs. For security in the centre of Londonderry or
reasons, unattended parking in the remote Sperrin Mountains, Murrays/Europcar
a Control Zone is not per mitted you are very unlikely to come Tel 01 614 2888 (Dublin).
at any time of the day. across a roadblock. ∑ europcar.ie
In the unlikely event of National Car Rental
your being stopped, show Tel 061 206025 (Limerick).
Cycling
your driver’s licence and ∑ carhire.ie
The quiet roads of Ireland make insurance certificate or rental
touring by bicycle a real joy. The agreement when asked. Breakdown Services
Automobile Association
Tel 01 617 9999 (ROI).
Tel Rescue No. 1800 667788.
∑ aaireland.ie
Green Flag National
Breakdown
Tel 0800 000111 (to enrol in UK).
∑ greenflag.com
Trails and Routes
The National Trails Office
∑ irishtrails.ie
Bicycle-Rental Shops
Kearney Cycles
Tel 091 563356.
∑ kearneycycles.com
Cyclists checking their directions in Ballyvaughan, County Clare

366-367_EW_Ireland.indd 367 25/04/16 11:07 am