Southern Ireland in October

[theapples]

I know this might seem like a "How long is a piece of string" question but here goes. We have always fancied Southern Ireland and have just had some time come free from the 27th September for 18 days. Now the question - has anyone else been there at this time of year - is the weather likely to be really wet or is it worth taking the chance and putting up with the odd bad day. We would be using Fishguard-Rosslare - any recommendations on places to stay and places to visit.

Thanks in anticipation

 

[Lenny HB]

Been there working, wet, wet & wet in my experience.

 

[BobtheBass]

Been there many times in July and August when it’s been wet, wet & wet!

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Ireland is wet. There is a reason it is so green.

Haven't been there October, only mid September, and over the West Coast particularly Connemara. Had a couple of times of pleasant weather, inevitably showery, but last year it was horrible windy to extremely windy and wet. There is a reason I'm swapping from tents to motorhome as tents pushed down on you due to wind stopped being fun.

But Ireland the seasons do seem to break earlier. By October, they can have gone through a couple of the early Autumn gales. I think when I go back it will probably be May / June rather than September.

 

[Mikey RV]

Have been plenty of times in September / October time. It can be wet it can be dry, you pay your money and take your choice. Just like the Uk. It will however be quite and you will have a great time and meet some loverly folk.

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[Xandrasong]

I know this might seem like a "How long is a piece of string" question but here goes. We have always fancied Southern Ireland and have just had some time come free from the 27th September for 18 days. Now the question - has anyone else been there at this time of year - is the weather likely to be really wet or is it worth taking the chance and putting up with the odd bad day. We would be using Fishguard-Rosslare - any recommendations on places to stay and places to visit.

Thanks in anticipation

Hi, I'm irish and live on the SE corner of Ireland. The weather depends on which part of the island you go to. Donegal is very beautiful but the coldest part while Wexford has fabulous beaches and is the sunniest part. The west coast is stunning and warm but can be wet as the Atlantic air coming over dumps its rain there first. The East Coast and Dublin are warm but the Dublin area is built up and expensive. Ireland is under populated, unlike gb, and you can free camp easily. Best places are beach car parks but some may have height barriers, piers, and lake sides. Sept can be a beautiful month, cooling down after summer, some rain, some sun. But the freedom is priceless. Very few pay and display things here! For one, I'll not try motorhoming on England again... Nothing free, very constrained etc. How this helps you.

 

[Xandrasong]

Keel beach Co. MAYO

 

[aria]

If you're lucky it won't be too wet, it will be manageable though, regardless. We regularly visit at that time of year and generally there are at least a few hours each day where you can get out & about without getting wet.
You're also coming into the SE of the country which is normally driest.

https://www.motorhomecraic.com and the associated app https://motorhomeparkingireland.com/wp/ are very good.

In the SE I have stayed at Norman View Motorhome Park, and Ardmore Seaview Motorhome Park (generally known as Dick's field!),

Further West, Eyeries Motorhome Park in Cork & Goosey Island Motorhome Park in Sneem, Kerry are also great.
Goosey Island -

If you haven't been to the South in a van before - be aware that getting rid of rubbish is a pain unless you're on a site. The Motorhome Parks above didn't take rubbish when I stayed there. All rubbish collection is privatised and must be paid for, so you get some folk ramming household rubbish into street bins. Because of this the openings in street bins are tiny and can't really be used when touring unless you dump small bags often. We mostly use dog poo bags for rubbish which you can also get rid of in garages when getting fuel so long as it's only one or 2 at a time. If you have more than that, there are self-service compactors dotted around - https://www.bigbin.ie/locations, last time I used it it was 7 Eur for a big black bag; or local authority sites charge about the same for a big bag.

 

[tomlowry07]

I,m in donegal now for 2 weeks non motorhome holiday. Hasn't rained in two days. Sure sign global warming is not a myth. Although when I think about it. Maybe its brexit. I have sore arms waving to every passing motorist when I go for a walk or a drive. So if you do intend to come this way, do some arm exercises first.
As the man says, you can park almost anywhere. Rubbish is hard to dispose of, as we have to pay for the service. Store it and deposit in the Norths many council run services.
If you are coming in october, you should consider oil skins. Goretex may not suffice.
Let's hope weather patterns continue, best kept secret location on earth.

Tom

 

[Nostrovia]

We visited the south west coast a couple of years ago, and can highly recommend Kerry and Dingle. Mannix point campsite is just lovely, 520 'excellent' reviews out of 581 reviews on Tripadvisor.

But, to really enjoy Southern Ireland, you'll need the weather!

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[theapples]

Thank you to every one so far for your advice and ideas.