Ireland First Time
Hi we have never ventured outside of mainland UK. We are thinking of going to Ireland poss 2 weeks in the north followed by a couple of weeks in the south. We haven't a clue on ferry prices, dog passport, Our own passports (expired), electric hook up requirements, travel ins etc. We are both retired me 68 wife 62. I drive a freelander 2, & tow a Coachman Pastiche 460/2. We would probably travel from Holyhead as we live in Stoke on Trent. If we are going for about a month would it be cheaper to go out one way then book a return as and when? or just book a return trip. We have a Nationwide Flex acc & a Credit card........GIZ A CLUE PLEASE?. Cheers Ridge.
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I went to NI last year and two weeks wasn't enough! Sadly it's all I have thanks to work.
Birkenhead to Belfast is a good crossing. I'd not book a return from the same port as you'll waste time driving back to it.
No passport or pet passport necessary for the NI crossing as its in the UK. but as they want ID we took our passports anyway. No checks going into Eire at all.
We used some fabulous sites in NI. There's a great website which has campsites across the island. The CC affiliated site in Northern Ireland wasn't very well located so look around. The C&CC site is very good though
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When we went a few years ago we booked a return via Holyhead/Dun Laoghaire. We drove straight up to NI then meandered back to Eire via different sites ending up just outside Dublin. It was a return visit to Dublin for us and we wanted to see more of this lovely city. Our trip involved Mayo, Connemara and the Galway areas and then back towards the east. There's so much to see and we missed such a lot! If you have a month you might want to go to certain areas like the southwest etc, the roads are slower and you'll need time to get to places. Although they don't appear to check pet passports for travel in the south they are needed.
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Hi There, thanx for your replies. Poss 1st September, as we are retired there is no set date to return but prob about a month. Had a quote from CC for ferry Holyhead-Dublin on Stenna Line, around £420. which with the cost of dog passport, travel ins, and other bits & bobs, is looking to be a bit over the top at the mo. It's looking cheaper to go to Holland?, but then we would have to renew our passports which ran out last year. I used to be a lorry driver doing Holland & Belgium so am ok driving abroad. Decisions decisions & I'm not getting any younger.
I do have various health problems, would I need Travel Insurance?
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Birkenhead to Belfast was a lot cheaper than that for us last year.
It depends where you want to spend most of your time as to which crossing to get. We took the view that NI was the UK so didn't need much extra insurance. For Eire you would be better looking at getting cover although EHIC might cover medical stuff
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It's one of the most expensive places to get to ferry wise but there are offers. Worth getting travel insurance because of these costs, we got insurance, also did the same for trips to Scottish islands, it didn't cost much but felt worth it.
Another alternative is to drive up to Stranraer (Cairnryan) for the shorter crossing to NI. There is plenty to see in NI and you could easily spend time over in Sligo and Donegal. You might need good sea legs for some of the longer crossings so it's worth considering even though you'll have a longer drive to Scotland first. You can also do day trips from Cairnryan if you want a "taste" of N Ireland.
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We live in Northern Ireland and regularly use ferries to get to mainland GB and there are some good deals. Any ferry to Dublin from GB is expensive. Cheapest way is Cairnryan to Belfast and if you travel that route Tue - Thurs caravan goes free both ways.
Birkenhead to Belfast is also well priced on the morning sailing Sat or Sun both ways and caravan goes free also on those days.
You do not need a pet passport to get ferry to any port in Ireland from GB with your dog.
You dont need your personal passports either to travel on any ferry to Ireland - just carry ID in case you are aske - Driving Licence is fine.
Travelling between North and South of Ireland is seamless with no borders or checks.
Northern Ireland and Donegal could keep you busy for two weeks without ever going south with amazing places to see and lots to do.
If you want any more help let me know and I will do so.
The only thing I will say as a last comment - DO IT - you wont regret it
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Sounds lovely might have to put on our to do list 😆.
If you have Nationwide Flex account is it the Plus? Reason I ask is it offers worldwide travel insurance. Some Flex Accounts offer free European travel cover. Might be worth checking out the differences especially if you go to Eire which isn't the UK. Commission free payments or withdrawals as well.
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Interesting post.
We are thinking of a British Isles tour next year. Go to Scotland then from Stranraer(Cairn Ryan) to NI then to Eire(perhaps) back to Wales then home.
The biggest cost is the ferry and as we would be touring we would not want to be tied to a booked ferry so would just need to turn up. Probably the most expensive way to do it I know but as I said we are just in the early stages of planning this.
Any further help appreciated.
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UK citizens get the same medical cover in Eire as ROI nationals. It's a reciprocal agreement and no insurance is necessary - unless things have changed very recently.
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Stena Line offer a Flexi Fare which is usually only about £10 more expensive than basic cost and it allows you to change sailing dates and even cancel for a refund. Changes only cost about £10 and if the date you change to is dearer you pay the difference.
We always use this and have made use of the changes several times
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I see you're travelling with a dog.
We did Ireland 3 years ago and used the fast-cat ferries from Stranraer to Belfast and Dublin to Holyhead. This meant that our dog was only left in the car for a couple of hours each way. The monohull ferries take a lot longer and (I believe) dogs must be put in special kennels for the duration. Not something we were prepared to do.
Re Ireland itself:
- Not as cheap as you might imagine
- Good dual carriageways radiating out from Dublin, but the West Coast has some pretty dire local roads. Roads in NI are pretty good though.
- Campsites are more casual than we're used to in the UK
- Great place, friendly locals, good food and drink, very relaxing. We're planning to revisit.
- Like Scotland, don't rely on the weather :-)
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That's travel insurance as opposed to medical insurance but I understand your point.
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That's my point, Brue. Eire is a special case with a reciprocal arrangement with the UK. Unless it has changed in recent times, no EHIC is needed, just proof that you are a UK citizen.
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Yep. You don't necessarily need a EHIC.
"Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Irish nationals. If you don’t have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, you should present proof that you’re ordinarily resident in the UK."
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Things to see in four of the counties we visited, Antrim, Down, Mayo and Meath.
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Just come back from two weeks in Ireland.
Two weeks was not enough.Travelled from Hollyhead to Dublin & returned. Ferry book through CC £425 for two adults, car & caravan.
Passport not shown throughout holiday.
Beware the sites only accepted cash no card.
Small toll charge on some motorways . The most we paid was 3 or 4 euros.
Sites very good with electric & water & drain on most pitches.
We paid 25 to 28 per night .
I see that you have a Freelander, would you recommend it as a tow car.
Looking to replace our 10 year old Crv.
Enjoy Ireland we did.
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