Thinking of a trip to Ireland

[G1969]

As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.

 

[Jeff one]

We went down to Kilkenny over to cork the the west coast and up to Galway, it depends what your looking for, lovely place and people

 

[f6c]

Take lots of Money

 

[Figaro]

Donegal is beautful, I loved the coast there. Well all of the WAW is beautful and well worth exploring.
Don't forget the Causeway coast Antrim NI

 

[nigelivy]

I lived in Northern Ireland for nearly 10 years. Some of my favourite places were Donegal, Galway, Achill Island, Causeway Coast & Dingle Peninsula.

Because Ireland is not that big, you could drive straight down to Dingle area and do the Wild Atlantic Way in the time you have. You may not finish the whole route, but you could hit the main spots. Some counties are more favourable to motorhomes/vans than others. For example, Country Clare is notorious for having height barriers on a lot of beach parking lots whereas we often parked on beach parking lots overnight in County Mayo.

Here’s a vlog from one of our trips a few years ago:

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[Mick and Ruth]

We did 6 weeks and did coastline of North and South going from Dublin northwards up to Carlingford and then into the North. Go anti clockwise round Ring of Kerry as all big vehicles do that to avoid choke points.
Campsites are not cheap and you tend to have to pay to dispose of rubbish.
Set specific destinations before you set off in morning if you are heading over west to do the WAW as signs will take you down some tight roads and bends for no real reason and you would drive the same trip in a quarter of the time going directly to your goal.
join the Irish Motorhome Group on Facebook loads of help and advice on there
Enjoy ...the country and people are great!

 

[Northernraider]

Take warm waterproof jackets and good boots.

 

[Winger]

Doesn’t really matter where you go you will enjoy. Simples

 

[LithiumConvert]

Well worth the trip.

Campsites are not cheap and you tend to have to pay to dispose of rubbish.

If they even take it.

 

[meanders]

Religious or not, Knock is quite moving and very peaceful. The town is full of tat. There used to be a basic campsite there. Walking around the main site when everyone had gone home is very calming. First called there when our car had been broken into at Galway. Put me back at peace with the world and with the Irish who are genuinely lovely people. The Aire at Cobh harbour side is interesting with an exhibition to the Titanic and the Lusitania. Easy train ride into Cork city and a whole lot easier than driving and parking. I would miss Galway in a motorhome, there is nowhere to park. Ross castle near Killarney is fine but do not suggest overnighting in the car park. We nearly lost our bikes in the night to a white van and people carrying bolt croppers.

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[meanders]

Also do not forget wet weather gear. It only rained twice last week. Once for three days and once for four is generally very true. Do not pull off the road onto that nice green patch.without testing it. You might find it's sphagnum moss and sink to your axles.

 

[JoshnPen]

...... Or change your dates to August and go to the Fleadh

Fleadh Cheoil

This is Ireland's biggest annual celebration of Irish traditional music, singing and dance and draws massive crowds each year. The Fleadh takes place in Sligo in 2014. While the main events of the Fleadh are competitive - with competitions for instrumentalists, singers, dancers and groups -...

www.dochara.com

We went in our van in 2023 and it was great. That year, the Fleadh was in Mullingar.

There will be an official campsite with very cheap shuttle buses into the town (which became pedestrianised only). In the busiest days of the fleadh, the buses were running every 15 mins to and from camp until about 3am. It was a great craik and we'd love to go again.

 

[CaptainPaul]

JJ Killens in Shannonbridge

 

[grasscutter]

We went in September but spent two months.
For the wow factor in a shorter timeframe I would head to the WAW. Probably one of the best signed tourist routes you will come across.
A lot will depend on what distances you want to cover each day. Some of the signed sections are more suited to camper vans than M/Hs so a little research on google maps can be beneficial.
We found an abundance of free park ups.
I’ll put up a snapshot of the south west area.
View attachment 999059View attachment 999060

 

[JoshnPen]

Those pics look gorgeous! Very tempting......

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[Mick and Ruth]

From the Leprechauns park in Carlingford one of our favourite places you stay on Marina

 

[Puddleduck]

Just loved Ireland.

If you are into cycling the Greenway from Westport to Achill Island is a must do. Westport is a very interesting place, Mulranny very welcoming and Achill Island one of my favourite places but probably busy in season.

Also enjoyed Downings for kayaking.

Really just chill and enjoy yourselves.

Some campsites are cash only and the warden is "always in the office except when I'm not"

I didn't think much of a campsite on "The Gold Coast" but that was the only bad experience.

The Flying Boat Museum was a great place to visit (Foynes) and I will try to refind the eccentric railway and post the details of that.

 

[Puddleduck]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.lartiguemonorail.com/&ved=2ahUKEwjx89bGsO2KAxUNWkEAHTrPOBsQFnoECBcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3Z-4yeqBgub_cr5_Xx1Qu0

There you go!!

 

[glastry]

JJ Killens in Shannonbridge
View attachment 999016

A great place to stop ! Lukers Bar at the other end if the bridge is worth calling in.
Probably best not to accept the invitation to walk Killens dog it has poor toileting habits, but it gives the locals a laugh!

JJ Killens in Shannonbridge
View attachment 999016

 

[meanders]

The Flying Boat Museum was a great place to visit (Foynes)

Agreed.

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[LithiumConvert]

It only rained twice last week

We went to the west coast of Scotland some years ago. It only rained once.

It was raining when we arrived, and ...

 

[Tea Bag]

As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.

Hi .
Anywhere............... You will be going again..............................
Tea Bag

 

[gpat]

I would go to Ireland if Europe didn't exist.

 

[meanders]

Ahem...... I think Ireland very much considers itself part of Europe.

 

[kens988]

...... Or change your dates to August and go to the Fleadh

Fleadh Cheoil

This is Ireland's biggest annual celebration of Irish traditional music, singing and dance and draws massive crowds each year. The Fleadh takes place in Sligo in 2014. While the main events of the Fleadh are competitive - with competitions for instrumentalists, singers, dancers and groups -...

www.dochara.com

We went in our van in 2023 and it was great. That year, the Fleadh was in Mullingar.

There will be an official campsite with very cheap shuttle buses into the town (which became pedestrianised only). In the busiest days of the fleadh, the buses were running every 15 mins to and from camp until about 3am. It was a great craik and we'd love to go again.

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[GAUDIE]

As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.

Good morning
I spent 6 weeks in Ireland in 2023 and again another 6 weeks there in 2024, in both the North and the Republic. I am willing to share my experiences with you, should you wish to. Please let me know in your reply.
Gaudie

 

[Gaston aires]

Religious or not, Knock is quite moving and very peaceful. The town is full of tat. There used to be a basic campsite there. Walking around the main site when everyone had gone home is very calming. First called there when our car had been broken into at Galway. Put me back at peace with the world and with the Irish who are genuinely lovely people. The Aire at Cobh harbour side is interesting with an exhibition to the Titanic and the Lusitania. Easy train ride into Cork city and a whole lot easier than driving and parking. I would miss Galway in a motorhome, there is nowhere to park. Ross castle near Killarney is fine but do not suggest overnighting in the car park. We nearly lost our bikes in the night to a white van and people carrying bolt croppers.

Hi Robin. Last September we did the WAW and Galway now does have somwhere to park. Motorhomes are allowed in the main carpark at the far end for a modest cost overnight now. Mind you getting there early is essential. We got virtually the last parking spot and later on a group of ladies parked up near us and did an aerobic workout, great fun, I nearly joined in but didn’t want to show them up
Phil

 

[Yorkshirehead]

As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.

Taking a dog? Please be aware that dogs are not allowed on buses (June 2024) or in most pubs. Some let you take dogs into the garden. Other than that a great place to visit. I would recommend the Skibereen Heritage Centre for very moving details of the famine. Stay at Hideaway Caravan site, which is an easy flat walk into town.

As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.

 

[Yorkshirehead]

Taking a dog? Please be aware that dogs are not allowed on buses (June 2024) or in most pubs. Some let you take dogs into the garden. Other than that a great place to visit. I would recommend the Skibereen Heritage Centre for very moving details of the famine. Stay at Hideaway Caravan site, which is an easy flat walk into town.

Oops! Should be Skibbereen.

 

[Hymerboy]

If you go to the Giants causeway you can park for free in Bushmills in the large car park opposite the brewery, there is a bus stop over the road that drops you at the causeway entrance. The reason I mention this is because the causeway itself is on public land and is free to visit, the trick is that the carpark is run by the National trust and they charge a lot to park there. By the way when you get there it's quite a walk down to it but there is a bus that will take you there for one pound.

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