Touring in Ireland

bazpix
bazpix Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited December 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

I am thinking of touring in Ireland starting in the North and doing a circuit finishing in Dublin.

As I live in the north of England [Lancashire] I am thinking of starting out via Stranraer- Larne rerun via Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead.

 I would dearly love to hear of anyone's similar experience & advice!!

Comments

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2018 #2

    It's been a while since we visited Ireland but if you're starting in the north from the Stranraer area (Cairnryan) you'll be there quickly. There is a huge amount to see in NI, if going back we'd  head over to Donegal and then further to the SW. Last time we went from NI to Sligo and down through Mayo/Connemara and across to Dublin. Hope you enjoy your trip here's the link for the sites over there.

    www.camping-ireland.ie/   is a useful site

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
    100 Comments
    edited January 2018 #3

    Some thoughts:

    - If it's your first visit, stick to the coast in both N and S Ireland, you can't go far wrong.  In N Ireland the Larne coastal road up to the Giants Causeway is a must.

    Re S Ireland:

    - It's expensive these days (and not just because of the £/€ rate)

    - There's a good motorway network with Dublin as a hub, but outside of that (particularly along the W Coast) the roads tend to be a bit rough and ready and progress can be slow

    - Place names can vary in spelling and distances are elastic - don't rely solely on your Satnav (there are no postcodes as such outside the Dublin area)

    - Very friendly people, very laid back, good food and drink. Spoiled somewhat by all those b****y tourists ;-)

    - Dramatic scenery, but do take an umbrella

    - UKcampsite.co.uk is a good place to research sites (also Tripadvisor)

    - The sites on the E coast within reach of Dublin tend to be crowded, full of permanent pitches and a bit like Butlins ...

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2018 #4

    A few pics of NI, the Giants Causeway, Carrick a Rede rope bridge, the Strangford Lough area and the lovely NT Mount Stewart (House and gardens to see.)

  • Grumblewagon
    Grumblewagon Forum Participant Posts: 246
    edited January 2018 #5

    I spent too much of my life in N.Ireland in my student days but I expect that some things have changed since then.

    At least the people had a sense of humour.  They used to say that the best thing about Larne was the boat to Stranraer, but now it's gone too!  (Stranraer has somewhat died with the closing of that ferry route)

    Two places I really liked were the Ulster museum in Belfast and  the Ulster Folk and Transport museum in Holywood, south of the city.  The Giant's Causeway was, as they say, worth seeing, but not worth going to see.  It's a lot smaller than you imagine.

    Apart from a business trip, I haven't been to the Republic, so I can't advise.

     

  • bazpix
    bazpix Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited January 2018 #6

    Thanks for all your replies, they have been most helpful. I did forget to mention that we take our dog when caravanning, and he would need a passport to enter the Republic even though folk in the North regularly take their dogs over the border. The £140 fee for a passport for a one off trip means we will have to stay in the North -  disappointing though not really a problem

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