South from Dublin. M9 or N81.

Adenzeno

Which is better, safer? Not in a hurry. Thank you in advance.

tabby aspreme

What part of Dublin are you coming from and what's your final destination

Adenzeno

Central or SW central Dublin, to Bunclody.

L1011

M9 vastly - incalculably - safer; likely faster also.

Stark

M9 for sure

Adenzeno

Thank you. It is a Tollway, correct? Not worried about that, just curious. We are planning and mapping routes. Driving on the left will be, um, interesting..🙏🙏😂

mulbot

M9 to Carlow south exit, down into Ballon then Bunclody

tom1ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121631467#Comment_121631467

There’s no tolls on the M9.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121631467#Comment_121631467

No, the M9 is free.

If you have never driven in Ireland before, stick to the motorways as much as possible and just pay the tolls when you need to - they aren't expensive. Many of the N roads are terrible in parts, including the N81.

tabby aspreme

If the weather is good, and you are driving between 10am and 4pm take the N81, otherwise use the M9

road_high

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058331887/south-from-dublin-m9-or-n81

M9 infinitely safer- the N81 is a poor winding route for much of it with limited overtaking, can be narrow and bendy. Is quite scenic though if not in a rush. But if used to driving on the other side possibly not a great option either

tom1ie

I do love driving the N81- especially the bit coming out of tallaght around crooksling in autumn time.

But yeah for safety M9 all day long.

coylemj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121631517#Comment_121631517

I would agree with that statement for a regular Irish driver but as the driver in this case has little experience of driving on the left, I'd say go the motorway, regardless of the time or the weather.

I was invited to a January wedding in Co. Carlow a few years ago and drove down the N81 in sub-zero temperatures. Never again!

Bray Head

N81 is much higher risk for about the same travel time.

M7/M9 is ten times safer to drive.