These Irish counties might make you think twice before hitting the open road.
Driving in Ireland is usually a pleasant adventure as you explore some of the most breathtaking routes.
However, certain parts of the country seem to have bad road etiquette, as you’ll most likely encounter dangerous or aggressive driving. Here are the Irish counties with the rudest drivers, based on surveys and a national consensus.
Kerry – the kingdom of tourist-induced tantrums
In Kerry, there is a unique rivalry between tour buses and local drivers who are familiar with the Ring of Kerry. The drivers often get aggressive when stuck behind tour buses, as tourists prefer to move slowly and enjoy the views.
It’s not unusual to find a driver overtaking dangerously to get around a rental car driving at 30 km/h. This road rage is common in the summer months, when even tour buses drive recklessly in the middle of the road.
If you’re visiting Kerry for the first time, don’t be surprised if you encounter a very rude driver behind you, honking wildly if you don’t give way. To them, tour buses and other road users are an obstacle between them and their destination.
Kildare – the commuter chaos hotspot
In Kildare, the combination of early-morning and late-evening rush hours causes a lot of impatience that can feel very rude to anyone just trying to pass through.
Some common aggressive driving habits in this area include cutting off other drivers, tailgating, failure to use indicators, and a general disregard for traffic rules on major routes such as the N7 and M4.
There are also discussions on online social forums suggesting that local drivers often harass learners on the road. While these incidents are specific to individual drivers, there is a consensus that Kildare drivers are reckless and inconsiderate on local roads.
Galway – the county where local hospitality dies on the road
Residents of Galway are known for being exceptionally friendly on foot, but when they’re driving in the county’s infamous routes, things change.
You can expect aggressive honking if you’re slow to react to a green light. Even a little hesitation will remind you that Galway drivers have no mercy for the timid.
The roundabouts are where the real drama happens, as you’ll often find drivers failing to signal at roundabouts or blocking other vehicles from entering their lane.
There is general lane indiscipline at notorious spots such as the Lynch roundabout in Briarhill and the Menlo Park junction, where the lane markings are lacking or confusing.
Cork – the rebel road warriors
Most surveys and public opinion polls have consistently ranked Cork drivers among the worst in the country for poor road etiquette. Every day, you’ll come across cases of dangerous driving and motorists blatantly ignoring the rules of the road.
Cork drivers are notoriously confident, sometimes overconfident, leading to manoeuvres that outsiders perceive as aggressive. They have no time to exchange roadside pleasantries; instead, they’ll give you a Rebel stare that says they have places to be and no time to wait for you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting Cork for the first time; drivers will expect you to be as sharp as they are, and if you aren’t, you’ll likely receive a very rude hand gesture in the rearview mirror.
Donegal – the no traffic rules frontier
Donegal has long held a reputation for being a law unto itself when it comes to driving. The “rudeness” here isn’t necessarily about being mean on the road, but rather a terrifyingly casual approach to driving.
It frequently ranks high for dangerous driving detections, making every trip through the hills a risky adventure for the uninitiated.
Because the roads are so narrow and remote, many local drivers treat the white line in the middle of the road as a mere suggestion.
According to an AA Ireland survey, Donegal drivers are the second-worst-behaved, with dangerous driving and rudeness contributing to the low opinion rankings.
Donegal is an exception to the common opinion in Ireland that rural drivers are courteous and well-behaved on the roads.
Dublin – the undisputed champions of road rage
The capital is the epicenter of aggressive driving habits, where the car horn isn’t just a warning but a venting mechanism drivers use to express annoyance and fury on the road.
Flashing of lights isn’t a courtesy but a signal that you’ve offended someone by following the rules of the road.
As one of the most congested cities in the world, Dublin can create a stressful driving environment for motorists. According to recent surveys, a majority of respondents consistently vote Dublin as having the worst-behaved drivers.
