Touring in Ireland with a caravan

Silvershadow
Silvershadow Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited January 2016 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Hi I am looking for information on touring in Ireland with a caravan, looking at doing  4 to 8 weeks between middle of May until middle of July. Can anyone who has toured there give any advise on routes and sites.

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  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #2

    I've recently sent off for the Caravan and Motorhome guide for Ireland 2016. You can find it at www.campingireland.ie We used it before for a previous trip to NI and parts of the south.

  • Silvershadow
    Silvershadow Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited January 2016 #3

    Thanks brue I will send off for that, We have done Ireland before but in Cottages and quite a while ago.

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
    100 Comments
    edited January 2016 #4

    We did 3 weeks in Ireland 3 years ago.

    There's no single best source for reviews / details of sites, but
    http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ and TripAdvisor (funnily enough) seem to be the best sources.

    Generally we found sites (in southern Ireland) to be much more informal than in the UK, very friendly though.  Be prepared for rough (and sometimes narrow) roads on the West and South coasts once you get off the motorways.  The East coast, though nice, we
    found to be relatively crowded, even in June.  Satnav is less precise than the UK - not helped by the fact that postodes are only used in the Dublin area and often places have a different name (or different spelling of the name) depending on who you talk to!

    Be prepared for rain.Cool

  • Silvershadow
    Silvershadow Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited January 2016 #5

    Thanks Brian

    We were thinking start at County Wicklow and work our way Cork then up the West Coast as far as posible I guess we may have to stay inland a bit on some sites due to narrow roads and then travel. We spent 8 weeks in Scotland a couple of years ago West coast
    and the very top,  had some quite narrow roads there a bit scary but we managed very well so hoping we can in Ireland .

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited January 2016 #6

    Why not become a bit of a Tinker and hire a Romany caravan, complete with horse?

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited January 2016 #7

    I did the gypsy caravan thing with my daughter in 2001 in Ireland - and while it was a great experience I wouldn't do it again - far too busy roads etc.  Ireland is fine for caravanning as long as you take your time and are careful with the routes.   

    My favourite site was the one at Sligo - at the top of the hill with stunning sunsets - not the other site at the low end - very nice but would only use in really bad weather!  Also with caravanning you can take the car into the most remote bits of Co Galway and find some really quiet corners.  However I am glad I did Ireland before I ventured to the remote places in Scotland.  Ireland is really much more overcrowded I wish I had ventured there 20 years ago! 

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited January 2016 #8

    4 to 8 weeks should be plenty of time to discover the Emerald Isle. I suggest you major on the Southern part, for better scenery and very friendly people. Roads can be narrow but you should be travelling slowly, anyway, to admire the view.

  • Fleetwood1954
    Fleetwood1954 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited January 2016 #9

    We are also thinking of Ireland for 2016. We like to base ourselves at a site for a few days and then cycle out to explore. Sounds as though this might work but I am still looking for the cheapest crossing, we have a long van and car so at the moment it's
    coming in at £400+ from Holyhead to Dublin. Any advice for cheaper crossings?

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited January 2016 #10

    Ferries to and from Ireland are comparatively expensive. The cheaper ones are the less-popular, like those to Rosslare.

  • adrianesterel
    adrianesterel Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited January 2016 #11

    We are planning a first trip to Ireland this year. Anyone know of advice on the nitty-gritty, e.g. are there places to have a nap in the caravan while waiting for ferry (Fishguard-Rosslare), nice sites near a pub with music, etc?

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #12

    A pub with music?  The Climbers Inn at Glencar in Co. Kerry, but goodness knows how close you can get with a caravan - Killarney I suppose.  I was in a tent in the orchard  -  when they stopped serving.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #13

    Adrianesterel, you will probably be able to park up at the port and have a rest, give them a call to check this out.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited January 2016 #14

    Shop around for ferries - I am pretty sure my caravan went for free - and that would have been the Holyhead route I think.  I have also done Stranraer to Larne which I prefer being a rotten sailor!  Plus I love Dumfries and Galloway too. 

  • JohnSue
    JohnSue Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited June 2016 #15

    Can you book a single from Pembroke to Rosslare? We intend touring Southern Ireland for 2 - 3 months, anti-clock wise to Northern Ireland, and then travel from Belfast to Stranrare Scotland. 

     

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #16

    Yes you can. 

  • eddiehymer
    eddiehymer Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited June 2016 #17

    hi , reading your post, you should be still here (in ireland)

    some lovely campsites in co kerry . caherdaniel is nice  castlegregory as well. lots of walking paths /beach  in co clare doolin is nice great pub /irish music great food campsite,you can take ferry (passenger) to arran islands,go for the nearest island. well worth the trip

    enioy 

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited July 2016 #18

    Currently at the Glen of Atherlow site. Very nice site with very good facilities in beautiful location. You can view it on the CC website. The photos don't do it justice.

  • Sam and Daff
    Sam and Daff Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited July 2016 #19

    This might be a bit late but we spent last weekend in Donegal at Rossguil caravan park.  Great small site with abut 28 hard stands.  Over looks a lovely beech and is in the middle of no where.  Planning a longer break there next month

  • kayeamron
    kayeamron Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 2016 #20

    Hi we are planning a trip at the moment for 8 weeks to tour ireland what i need to know is has anyone taken the Ferry from Tarbet to Kilkee across the Shannon.  I have looked at the ferry website but it says Caravans upto 6m and ours is 7.4m but in the photos
    there is a low loader lorry on the ferry so am now unsure.  Any help gratefully received !!

     

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited September 2016 #21

    I am pretty sure I took mine that way but it was only just over 6m.  I found it quite hairy with the water washing up over the front.  The vehicle deck didn't have any thing to stop the water coming in!  

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