A couple of things: This is a PRACTICE of the car rental companies, and not a law. It is legal for people over the age of 70 to drive. Secondly, as it is only a practice and not a law, the agreement cited only applies to that particular rental company. You should check with whomever you're renting from before you get too excited. Also, be aware that you still have to be in good health and will probably have to have current motor insurance before the company will rent you the car.  For any American renting a car (or anyone who typically drives an automatic) - if you are comfortable driving a stick shift, specify that's what you want. The difference between the price of renting a stick versus an automatic borders on scalping (in my opinion). For anyone driving in Ireland, a couple of other odd practices they have here that I've seen cause confusion and trouble - If a driver flashes his lights at you, it means one of two things, depending on the circumstances: If you're on a windy road and simply passing each other, there's some sort of obstruction ahead and you should slow down. Often as not, it's sheep or cattle on the road.  If you're trying to turn, he's indicating he's giving you right of way. Secondly, if you come upon a vehicle with it's hazards on, slow down and try to see around the vehicle. DO NOT pass it. Hazard lights are required when a vehicle has to stop where it shouldn't regardless of the cause. It does not mean that the vehicle is broken down. There could be road works or an accident ahead. Apparently, a car with it's brake lights on is not considered sufficient inducement to the vehicle coming up behind to stop. This particular practice still confuses the heck out of me, and I can never remember to put mine on - I still think a brake light says "STOP!" Edel Codd, Tralee In Kerry/Dingle Peninsula: ASHE-Camp & Ballyknockane, & related; BROSNAN-Dingle Town, & related; CAVANAUGH–Holyoke, MA area (related to BROSNAN) In Wexford: CODD, Woodlands & Carne, & related; FARDY, Coolboy, Gusserane, & related; PRESCOTT – Albany, NY --- On Sat, 8/8/09, pat lewis <carmodyp@bellsouth.net> wrote: From: pat lewis <carmodyp@bellsouth.net> Subject: [NY-IRISH] Thanks to Pauline To: ny-irish@rootsweb.com Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 9:56 AM In regards to message below a HUGE Thank you to Pauline Hello:                  A wise man who drove for 50 years encountered a problem on a visit to Ireland from his home in Australia.   He was told over the age of 70 he would have to pay an "age surcharge" of 25 Euros a day.   It did not sit well with him so he contacted The Equality Authority.   Read what has now changed because of this man and his challenge:  http://www.equality.ie/index.asp?docID=742 I had hoped to be able to travel once again to both England and Ireland for  a chance to see things I missed on previous trips but had been told I "HAD" to make the trip and finish it by my 75th birthday.......or pay extra IF I was allowed at all to rent a car and drive. Now "thanks" to Pauline sending this message I can stop worry about going, and make the trip next year instead. Some health problem came up which had me concerned about the trip and then the fact of being in Florida and wanting to travel between Sep't and Oct.......which is still hurricane season and the last hurricane  that hit my area and did damage was my birthday 4 years ago while I was in Kanturk, so I was doubting I would ever be able to do this trip again. Now I can make plans for a late spring trip, depending on the economy. For those of you over 70....read the site given in message above .GOOD NEWS!!!!!! ====NY-Irish Mailing List==== Don't forget to check out the NY-Irish mailing list website.  Also, check/add your NY-Irish surnames on the Surname Registry:  http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/NYIrishList/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to NY-IRISH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message