Hitching
In the Republic hitching is commonplace; for locals it's almost as much a normal part of getting around as using the bus and train networks, and for the visitor the human contact makes it one of the best ways to get to know the country. Knowing the shortcomings of public transport, many drivers readily give lifts, and it's not unusual to see single women with babies and the shopping or whole families waiting for a ride. It has to be borne in mind, however, that local people experience no real problems in getting lifts since they usually know just about everybody on the road; visitors can have a less easy time of it. The chief problem if you plan to hitch extensively is lack of traffic, especially off the main roads, and if you are travelling around one of the tourist-swamped areas of the west, you may find there's a reluctance to pick up foreigners. That said, without transport of your own you are probably going to have to hitch if you want to see the best of Ireland's wild, remote places. Just be sure to leave yourself plenty of time. Although it's probably safer than just about anywhere else in Europe, it goes without saying that hitching is never entirely risk-free, and on the whole it's best for women to avoid hitching alone. Hitching a lift in the North is rather less straightforward and probably easiest for pairs of women who are obviously tourists. Men travelling alone or in pairs can still be viewed with suspicion and may find it impossible to get a lift. Men and women travelling together are at least in with a chance.
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