We all know that the best way to see the “real” Ireland is by getting off the main highways and into the heart of the countryside. But for many, the thought of driving in Ireland on the opposite side of the road is enough to keep them on the bus.
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Earlier this past week, I talked to John Cortese, a travel expert who traded global corporate life for a mission to make international driving accessible for everyone.
John, you have a pretty incredible background. How did a career at companies like GE and Visa lead to starting a travel safety company?
John: It’s been quite a journey! I grew up in Brooklyn and went to school in Boston, where I had the chance to study abroad in both Asia and Europe. That’s where the travel bug really bit me.
I eventually spent years working at global companies like General Electric and MasterCard, and in my last role at Visa, I led travel and tourism economic trending products. While looking at the data, I noticed a major trend: the number of people renting cars abroad was growing every year. But as someone who has traveled to 60 countries, I also realized there was a massive gap in confidence.
Even with all my travel experience, I felt that same “driving dread.” I realized that if I felt that way, millions of others did too. I wanted to use my experience to solve that problem, and that’s how Tripiamo was created.
Most people are just “afraid” of the unknown. How does Tripiamo actually prepare them for the reality of Irish roads?
John: We don’t just give you a list of rules; we give you the actual experience. Our guides are verified by professional driving schools in each country—including one of the largest driving schools in Ireland.
We focus on the things that actually cause stress: everything from getting comfortable driving on the opposite side of the road to navigating those notoriously tight Irish roads. The goal is for you to study the material and “pre-drive” the layouts before you start your journey, so when you finally get behind the wheel, your muscle memory kicks in.
I focus a lot on value here at Ireland on a Budget. Is Tripiamo a big investment for a traveler who is thinking about driving in Ireland?
John: Not at all. In fact, we recently had a traveler tell us it was the “best $40 they spent on their entire vacation.” I like to tell people that the guide costs less than a single parking ticket or a minor fender-bender.
It’s an investment that pays for itself immediately by giving you the confidence to explore further without the stress of a costly mistake.
Who is the typical Tripiamo user? Is it mostly for older travelers or those new to driving in Ireland?
John: It’s really for everyone. We see travelers of all ages—from Gen Z backpackers renting their first car to seasoned travelers who have been to Ireland many times but were always too nervous to drive. If you want the freedom to stop whenever you see a beautiful view (which happens every five minutes in Ireland!), this is for you.
You’ve been to 60 countries—where is your “happy place” in Ireland that you can only get to with a car?
John: It has to be Connemara. There is something about the light and the landscape there that is just magical. When you have your own car, you can take the tiny coastal roads, pull over at a deserted beach, and just take it all in.
You lose that magic when you’re on a fixed tour schedule.
If you could invite any famous person to join you on an Irish road trip, who would it be?
John: I’d have to go with Jerry Seinfeld. He’s a legendary car guy, and I think he’d find the comedy in the local road etiquette—like the “finger-wave” people give you when passing on a narrow lane. I can just imagine the conversation about the “rules” of the road while we navigate a herd of sheep in the middle of a lane!
If you’d like to learn more, you can go to the Ireland on a Budget Tripiamo landing page or to Tripiamo directly.
