Rental prices are high across Europe this year, as car-hire companies downsized during the pandemic and now seem to be operating smaller fleets at higher prices to recoup some of the money they lost after so many tourists had to cancel their overseas holidays in 2020 and 2021. But some of the asking prices have been cited as another nail in the coffin for the idea of holidaying in Ireland.
Gavin Thompson, Shelbourne Motors’ vehicle-rental manager, says that all of its cars have already been booked for June and July and that cars for August and September are booking fast, in part because of the social-media interest after Niall Meegan, an Irishman who recently moved from Australia to Florida,Shelbourne’s vehicle-rental service on a Facebook group for Irish people abroad.
Meegan added that he had no affiliation with the company and was just thinking “of the many people and young families coming home from Aus only to be met with excruciating prices for car hire. Hope this saves some of you a few $$.” And when Shelbourne Motors runs out of cars, Thompson says, it also has a fleet of 50 vans available at. That may appeal less to an average family than it would to couples who plan to camp near a beach and spend their holidays surfing—and so have boards, a tent and other equipment to transport—but at a push it might still be a way to get around Ireland.
In the meantime, the enterprising Newry dealership has at least shown that it’s possible to run a car-rental business in the summer of 2022 without charging its customers the earth.
These guys are having a lend really. It's just price gouging by these rental companies. They are a bit of a cartel really. We need a few disruptors to shake up the industry.
Ireland has very little competition. In Europe I can use long distance busses, trains, or rent bicycles in all cities. Ireland is pathetic
Prices for everything in Ireland are absolutely ridiculous now, wouldn’t entertain staying here for a holiday break to be ripped off, particularly after having my eyes opened following a recent trip to Greece! I couldn’t believe the differences.
My daughter invited to a wedding in West Cork when she costed it out astronomical car hire and hotel declined invite and went to her sisters in Australia instead
Try renting a car anywhere in Europe or North America 😏