Cars breakdown now and then - that's a fact. OK maybe not as often as they did 10 or 20 years ago - but can you risk being in the middle of the Irish countryside - not a garage for miles and your car has broken down.?
The RAC have stopped providing breakdown cover in Ireland .

are probably the best known company in Ireland providing breakdown insurance.
There are about 179,000 AA members in Ireland - and they were called out to to 154,000 breakdowns in 2009.
AA Ireland has the largest fleet of rescue vehicles in the country, with about 100 directly-employed AA patrols, and a support network of 140 garage agents.

AA membership starts at €146 a year - it covers the member in any car in the UK or Ireland (even as a passenger).
Additional family members can get the same cover for an extra €50 a year . The age or mileage of the car do not matter.
If you want Home Start (cover when you breakdown outside your house) - the total price comes to €194.04 with the AA.
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Aviva now provide breakdown cover in Ireland - the price varies depending on the age and type of car and mileage driven each year - which makes sense. They cover a specific car - not the driver.
When we asked for a quote for a 2002 Petrol Opel - the basic price was €165.24. A newer car would cost less.