Irish driving advice

Tell ITN about the funniest thing that ever happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. There are no restrictions on length. (ITN prints no info on destinations in the United States.) The ITN staff will choose each month’s winner, who will receive a free one-year subscription to ITN. Entries not chosen cannot be acknowledged.

This month’s winner is THOMAS J. MUDGE of Marquette, Michigan:

On a side trip in Ireland on my way to England many years ago, I rented a car at the airport in Shannon and proceeded south to Killarney, where I stopped at a petrol station for advice before proceeding.

The grizzled old attendant listened as I posed a question about a scenic seacoast road: “Could I drive the Kerry Ring and still make Cork before dark?”

He looked at my vehicle and noted approvingly that it was new and appeared fast. Then, looking me up and down, he opined that I appeared capable and fit. He asked if I were traveling with others or would be alone. I said it would be just me.

“And when would you be starting?” he asked.

“Immediately,” I responded.

Without hesitation he said, “You’ll never make it!”