We will be there for 7 to 9 days and we can both drive a stick, but I'm not sure how long its been for my sister. We had thought Northern Ireland would probably be best to stay out of. I was leery of a "road trip" in a different country, but you make it sound possible. How often was language a problem? Our trip won't be till 2010, so who knows what the rates will be then. I have no idea what the Book of Kells is, I'll have to check it out. We both have some tour books coming, and an atlas. Thanks, Dennis.