Planning to go to Ireland with a motorhome or campervan? Want to get some ideas for locations to go to, the place to remain, routes to take and extra? Here’s every part it’s essential find out about motorhoming or campervanning in Ireland.
Don’t neglect to obtain your FREE motorhome journey guidelines under that will help you plan your Irish street journey.
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Campervanning in Ireland – why you must go!
As I write this, I’m sitting in my motorhome by a seashore within the Republic of Ireland. Sure, it’s wet, however that’s not detracting from the fantastic thing about this nation. It’s not known as the Emerald Isle for nothing!
Put easy, Ireland is a stupendous place for a street journey. There’s a lot historical past, stunning roads and locations to discover and loads of hospitable locations to search out meals and leisure, each in Northern and Southern Ireland (which they like to name the Republic.)
You can after all discover Ireland utilizing public transport, however it’s so a lot better when you have your individual vehicle- whether or not that’s a motorhome or campervan (our most well-liked choices), or a automotive, caravan and even motorcycle.
One of the perfect issues about having the ability to discover Ireland on a motorhoming vacation is you could see the variations between the areas and actually get a really feel for the nation in a brief house of time. It may make your journey cheaper if you should buy and put together your meals as an alternative of getting to purchase them all- to not point out having the ability to keep in a single day at some breathtaking areas.
In this information, we’re going to share with you every part it’s essential know to go motorhoming or campervanning in Ireland, together with attending to Ireland from the UK (or elsewhere), planning your route, the place to remain (motorhome campsites, alternate options or wild tenting along with your camper), some street journey concepts and locations to go to, driving ideas and different sensible recommendation that will help you have a tremendous Irish street journey.
Don’t neglect to seize your free motorhome journey guidelines which is able to enable you plan and organise every part you want.
Motorhoming in Ireland- When to go
Like a lot of the UK, the perfect time for a street journey might be between April and October in case you’re simply contemplating the climate.
However, keep in mind that it’s known as the ‘Emerald Isle’ as a result of it’s so inexperienced… and it’s inexperienced as a result of it rains. Rather a lot. Expect rain at any time of the yr (but one more reason to be glad of your individual automobile… you’ll be able to cover inside if the climate turns!) Of course, there are some sunny days as properly, and also you’re probably to get these through the summer time.
July and August are the primary college holidays, so every part might be loads busier then AND costs for every part might be higher- ferries, campsites and even some attraction charges.
Other main occasions in Ireland embrace the Rugby Six nations at first of the yr (which is especially centred on Dublin), The Gathering- a standard dancing and music pageant held every February in Kilkenny and St Patricks Day on seventeenth March every year- the complete nation celebrates it with a ardour (celebrations typically final every week!)
There’s additionally the Galway Food Festival in April, the Taste of Dublin meals pageant in June and National Heritage Week on the finish of August, in addition to many others.
So there’s by no means a ‘bad’ time to go to Ireland. If you’re capable of journey exterior of college holidays we extremely advocate it, and also you’ll always remember a St Patrick’s Day in Dublin! (Actually, that’s not strictly true; mates of mine moved to Dublin with their youngsters and I’ve spent many St Patrick’s Days there- I can’t appear to recollect a lot of them in any respect… ????)
Highlights of an Ireland campervanning vacation
Some of the perfect locations to go to in Ireland with a campervan or motorhome embrace:
- Cliffs of Moher – unbelievably dramatic
- The Wild Atlantic Way- 1700 miles of dramatic shoreline and conventional Irish tradition
- Giants Causeway (Northern Ireland)
- Dark Hedges road- well-known as a Game of Thrones filming location. You can drive down it, however not in a motorhome!
- Dublin- one among our favorite cities in Europe
- The Ring of Kerry- one of many finest street journeys in Ireland
- The Rock of Cashel- Ireland’s most visited Heritage web site
- Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone
- Dunmore Head- mainland Ireland’s most westernmost level
- Torc waterfall- one of many finest waterfalls in Europe
Talking of TV reveals and films, listed below are a number of the largest which have been shot in Ireland:
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Cliffs of Moher, Lemon Rock)
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens/The Last Jedi (Skellig Michael island)
- Braveheart (sure, I do know it’s about Scotland!)- Bective Abbey, Curragh Plains, Trim Castle)
- Saving Private Ryan Ballinesker Beach- the setting for the D-Day landings in opening 20 minutes
- The Princess Bride (Cliffs of Moher)
- Game of Thrones (see some guided excursions right here)
Of course, there are MANY different unbelievable areas and locations to go to in Ireland- we are able to’t probably record all of them.
If you take pleasure in studying books earlier than a visit, listed below are some we advocate:
See extra enjoyable and sensible motorhoming books we advocate studying
Getting to Ireland from Britain with a motorhome or camper
Ok, earlier than we go any additional, let’s clear up the confusion.
- Northern Ireland IS a part of the UK. The Republic of Ireland isn’t
- The Republic of Ireland is within the EU. Northern Ireland isn’t
- Great Britain (or Britain) refers back to the landmass of England, Scotland and Wales
- The British Isles is the UK AND the Republic of Ireland (plus the Channel Islands, Scilly Isles and hundreds of different small islands.) There’s a superb article explaining all of it right here
However, even figuring out all that, many individuals (myself included!) incorrectly say going from the UK to Ireland, once they imply from Britain. So, my apologies ought to I make that error elsewhere.
Crossing from Northern Ireland to Southern Ireland
To get to Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland you… drive throughout the border. It was once extremely easy- it’s now just a little tougher due to BREXIT, however it’s nonetheless only a matter of driving south. There might be a border to cross and also you’ll want to hold all the right paperwork. Depending in your route, there could also be a toll cost.
Getting to Ireland by Ferry from remainder of the UK
For the remainder of the UK (in any other case often known as Britain!), if you wish to take your individual motorhome or campervan throughout to Ireland, you’ll must get on a ferry. There are a couple of ferry routes to select from:
- Holyhead to Dublin (Irish Ferries)
- Pembroke to Rosslare (Irish Ferries)
- Liverpool to Dublin (P&O Ferries)
- Cairnryan to Larne (P&O Ferries)
- Cairnryan to Belfast (Stena Line)
- Liverpool to Belfast (Stena Line)
- Holyhead to Dublin (Stena Line)
- Fishguard to Rosslare (Stena Line)
Getting to Ireland from France
There are additionally ferries which go immediately from France to Ireland.
- Cherbourg to Dublin which normally runs 3 instances weekly (Irish Ferries)
- Cherbourg to Rosslare as soon as per week (Brittany Ferries)
- Roscoff to Cork twice weekly (Brittany Ferries)
- Roscoff to Rosslare as soon as weekly (Brittany Ferries)
- Cherbourg to Rosslare which runs thrice every week (Stena Line)
Travelling round Ireland
Once you’re over in Ireland, whether or not it’s North or South, the street system is excellent and simple to navigate. We’ll speak extra in regards to the guidelines, pace limits and different issues to know shortly.
Hiring a motorhome to tour Ireland
Of course, in case you don’t have or need to pay to take your automobile to Ireland, otherwise you’re travelling from additional away, the simplest choice is to fly in to Ireland and lease a motorhome or campervan to make use of throughout your keep. Just be sure that to ask how one can get from the airport to the rental agency- not all of them are on the airport itself and also you would possibly must ebook a taxi.
The largest airports in Ireland are:
- Dublin Airport – east coast
- Cork Airport – south coast
- Shannon Airport – west coast (close to Limerick)
- Knock Airport – mid/ north West (however nonetheless within the Republic of Ireland)
- Belfast Airport – in Northern Ireland
To lease a automobile in Ireland you need to:
- be not less than 21 years previous, though many rent automotive firms have a minimal age of 25 (sure automotive classes might require older)
- There could also be restrictions for over 70s as properly
- have had a driving licence for a couple of yr
- present identification (identification card for EU residents or a sound passport for different nationalities)
You can anticipate to pay round £100/ day for a campervan in June out of peak season- make sure you ask the suitable questions so you recognize what to anticipate out of your motorhome or campervan rental
Bear in thoughts that you just would possibly must pay an extra price to drive from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland (or vice versa) so examine along with your rent firm earlier than you ebook.
Don’t neglect, it’s YOUR duty to verify the automobile has the required security tools. The on-the-spot fines apply to you as the driving force, not the corporate. Check upfront with the corporate what package they may present with the automobile and what you will want to convey.
Take an inventory of what’s legally required with you and examine it off one after the other as you might be given the handover. Do not drive till you might be pleased you adjust to the native legal guidelines.
Campervan guidelines in Ireland- what gear it’s essential carry
Things it’s essential carry to legally drive in Ireland
You’ll be happy to know that, in contrast to motorhoming in France or a lot of the remainder of Europe, Ireland is just like the foundations within the UK, so there are only a few stuff you LEGALLY have to hold (though we advocate them anyway.) There are:
- UK sticker hooked up to the again of car or reg plates (and trailer when you have one)
- A spare wheel (and instruments to vary it!), or a tyre restore package.
- If you put on glasses you MUST carry a spare pair
- Crash helmets are necessary for motorcycle/ moped riders and passengers
NOTE: Hi-vis reflective jackets ,Warning triangles and Headlight beam converters (when you have a UK automobile) will not be required in Ireland. If you’ve got a European automobile (ie- you usually drive on the suitable), you will want headlight converters.
What paperwork do it’s essential street journey in Ireland?
If you’re driving in Ireland, it’s essential carry the next paperwork:
- Passport (or identification card)
- Driving licence (examine it’s in date!)
- Motorhome Insurance documents- examine you might be coated for driving in Europe
- Breakdown cowl
- Vehicle V5 logbook (which should present your appropriate handle)
- Vehicle have to be legally taxed and MOT’d
- Trailer certification
- Green card (get out of your automobile insurer)
- International Driving Permit if required
- Personal journey insurance coverage
Do I would like a global driving allow to drive in Ireland?
Most UK residents don’t want an IDP to drive in Ireland, so long as you’ve got a card driving licence issued within the UK (in date, after all!)
You would possibly want one when you have:
- a paper driving licence solely
- a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
(If you do want an IDP, right here’s an in-depth information on how one can get an International Driving Permit and which one(s) you want from a UK publish workplace.
Touring Ireland in a campervan- Other helpful stuff you would possibly want
We’ve been touring Europe in our motorhome for a number of years. We’ve tried all types of kit- some helpful, some not a lot.
Here is an inventory of issues we extremely advocate when motorhoming in Ireland, however that are NOT important:
Motorhome Stopovers and Overnight camper parking in Ireland
Like most international locations in Europe, there are a number of forms of locations the place you’ll be able to cease along with your motorhome or campervan in a single day in Ireland.
- Campsites
- Free/ authorised motorhome parking schemes
- Wild Camping (we’ll speak extra in regards to the legality of that shortly)
Motorhome Campsites in Ireland
Campsites in Ireland are very like different campsites anyplace across the UK or Europe. Some are all-singing and dancing, with swimming pools, leisure and extra, whereas others are extra fundamental (and normally cheaper!) It’s fairly simple to discover a campsite close to to you or close to to the place you’re going, particularly in case you’re a member of membership or have a ebook!
You usually don’t must ebook upfront until you’re visiting in peak season or throughout a pageant (or over St Patrick’s weekend. Also, in case you’re a member of one of many UK’s largest motorhome golf equipment, they’ve some websites in Ireland which you’ll ebook via their methods.
Be conscious that many campsites shut for winter, some as early as September and don’t re-open till Easter. So do your analysis, particularly in case you’re travelling out of season.
TOP TIP: If you’ll be able to journey exterior peak instances, use your ACSI Camping Card to cut back the price of campsite stays
Aires in Ireland
Ireland, just like the UK, doesn’t have ‘aires’ in the identical manner you could be used to if motorhoming in France, Germany or Italy.
An aire is simply an authorised in a single day motorhome parking space which isn’t a campsite. Ireland DOES have many locations the place motorhomes and campervans can keep overnight- with permission. But they don’t work in the identical manner as aires.
Approved in a single day motorhome parking
There are a number of schemes which join motorhomers and campervanners who don’t need to keep in campsites each night time to companies and locations pleased to permit in a single day parking (normally with out services). This is in alternate for you shopping for a few of their services or products, akin to a meal in a restaurant.
Safe Nights Ireland
One such scheme is Safe Nights Ireland– which has over 350 areas round Northern and Southern Ireland. You can be a part of the scheme for simply 15€ a yr and get entry to any locations that are a part of the scheme.
Pub Overnight Stops in Ireland
Pubs are an ideal choice for a free in a single day parking cease in case you’re already going to eat at them. Many of them will permit motorhomes and campervans to remain in a single day of their automotive parks (some even permit caravans). Obviously, that is just for the night- you most likely wouldn’t be capable to keep there for every week, though I suppose there’s no hurt in asking!
READ MORE: How we discover locations at no cost in a single day motorhome stopovers
Wild tenting in Ireland for motorhomes and campers
Is wild tenting for motorhomes and campervans allowed in Ireland? The authorized reply is no- you’re not allowed to remain anyplace with a motorised automobile other than on authorised campsites, until you’ve got the landowners permission.
However, in actuality, many individuals do motorhome wild tenting throughout Ireland and infrequently have an issue.
There is a distinction between ‘camping’ and ‘overnight parking’. Many individuals (us included) incorrectly check with parking up in a single day someplace as motorhome wild tenting, as an alternative of in a single day parking.
Overnight parking is parking up for one night time after which shifting on once more within the morning. No awnings, out of doors furnishings, BBQs, motorhome turbines, washing strains or something OUTSIDE the automobile. In many distant locations, in case you arrive late within the afternoon and go away early-ish within the morning, you’ll be completely fantastic to remain in a single day, until there’s a transparent signal banning motorhomes or campers in a single day.
For tips about how one can park in a single day with out upsetting native residents or drawing undesirable consideration, learn our full information to motorhome in a single day parking (which we name wild tenting. Sorry)
Wild Camping is a special matter, and is forbidden in Ireland. You will most likely be requested to maneuver on and/ or fined by the Police in case you appear like you might be tenting along with your van.
Remember, you’ll be able to all the time ask in case you’re allowed to remain. The Irish are extremely hospitable and in case you’re well mannered and respectful, they’re very prone to can help you keep with out problem (particularly in case you’ve simply paid cash to them for one thing!)
Motorhome wild tenting guides for the UK & Europe
Motorhome and campervan service factors in Ireland
Unlike in Europe, there are only a few locations to discharge waste and water and refill with contemporary water other than on the campsites. For this purpose, it’s value reserving right into a campsite for an evening each few days, as a way to use its companies.
Some campsites will can help you pay a small price and use the companies with out paying for an in a single day stop- you’l need to ask as you go.
Driving ideas for Ireland
Some helpful ideas for driving in Ireland, no matter your automobile. Ireland has a reasonably good street community, particularly across the main cities and cities. However, a number of the smaller rural roads might be VERY slender and plenty of are marked as unsuitable for bigger autos, like motorhomes.
Often, these small roads are single monitor, and have passing locations. These are locations to tug in to let one other automobile go previous from the opposite route, NOT someplace to park up and go for a stroll.
Also, anticipate slow-moving farm autos on these roads- it will possibly take some time to get anyplace and no-one in Ireland is in a lot of a rush. So don’t over-estimate how far you’ll be able to journey in at some point. Also, anticipate sheep, cows and different animals to wander out into the street in entrance of you at any second.
- Drive on the left (like within the UK, the other to most of Europe)
- Stay to the left on roads with a couple of lane and overtake on the suitable.
- At roundabouts and junctions, site visitors already on the street and coming from the suitable has precedence.
- Motorways are marked with an ‘M’
- Seatbelts are obligatory for entrance and rear passengers
- All kids as much as 135 cms in top or as much as 12 years of age, should use an appropriate baby seat (Northern Ireland)
- Handsfree kits are required if utilizing a cell phone
- Devices warning of pace cameras are forbidden
- Dipped headlights are to be used throughout poor visibility.
- Motorcycles should use dipped headlights through the day always.
Speed Limits in Ireland
IMPORTANT: The Republic of Ireland drives in km/h (like most of Europe). Northern Ireland drives in mph (like the remainder of the UK). If you modify the settings in your motorhome sat-nav, bear in mind to vary it in case you cross the border!
Breaking the pace restrict in both Northern or Southern Ireland will lead to a hard and fast penalty and/ or penalty factors in your driving licence.
On the spot fines are uncommon, however it’s potential to be pulled over by the police drive for rushing and given a hard and fast penalty discover and/ or plus a £100 fantastic.
Republic of IRELAND
Speed Limits for autos below 3.5t are as follows (until in any other case signed!)
- Motorways- 120km/h (74mph)
- National roads/ twin carriageways- 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Regional roads- 80km/h (50mph)
- Built up areas- 50 km/h (31 mph)
Speed limits for automobile OVER 3.5t
- Motorways/ – 90 km/h (55 mph)
- National roads/ twin carriageways- 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Regional roads- 80km/h (50mph)
- Built up areas- 50 km/h (31 mph)
Speed limits in Northern Ireland
- Motorways/ – 70 mph (
- National roads/ twin carriageways- 60mph
- Built up areas- 30 mph (50kph)
Speed cameras in Ireland
There are each static and cell pace cameras in Ireland. The cell ones are principally in vans that are moved round because the Irish police drive (Garda Síochána) see match.
Drink driving legal guidelines
The Republic of Ireland has stricter drink driving legal guidelines than Northern Ireland, solely permitting 50 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (the UK and Northern Ireland is 80). As all the time, don’t drink and drive. If you’re a new or an expert driver, the degrees are even decrease.
Tolls in Ireland
There are at the moment no toll roads in Northern Ireland.
There are 11 toll roads within the Republic of Ireland- not as many as you could be used to in France (and by chance not as expensive as Norway!) You can see the place they’re right here.
You will pay for the tolls utilizing money on the toll plazas (playing cards are accepted at a couple of however not all). Alternatively, you’ll be able to join a TollTag account and that may cost you as you drive.
The solely street the place you can’t pay as you drive is the M50. The M50 works a bit like a Dartford Tunnel- it’s essential pay for utilizing it by 8pm the next day. You will pay at many garages and retailers within the space, however the easiest method is on-line right here.
If you might be renting a automobile, you will want to ask them how one can pay for tolls/ the M50 however its widespread so that you can must pay your self.
Petrol/ Diesel in Ireland
There are loads of gasoline stations throughout Ireland. As with all over the place, you’ll discover the costs barely larger on the motorways.
Petrol is Unleaded (95 / 98) – Green handles on pump
Diesel has black or yellow handles on pump
Some locations are 24h pay on the pump, however might require you to enter the store and pay the cashier both upfront or after you’ve crammed up- there might be an indication to let you know what to do. (Leave your automotive in entrance of the pump and make an observation of the pump quantity.)
You will pay utilizing money or a bank card. Many locations do NOT take American Express. You can use your UK playing cards and not using a downside.
Parking in Ireland
Many locations which permit parking through the day or night time require cost. Usually it’s essential pay on the ticket machine show your parking ticket within the windscreen. Not doing that is prone to lead to a fantastic.
Parking is prohibited when the street is marked with a purple line or a double yellow line.
A drawback of a campervan in Ireland is that parking in cities and cities might be tough- many locations have top limitations of round 2.5m (and most vans and motorhomes are taller than that!) Therefore, you would wish to search out on-street parking within the city, which might be troublesome. Alternatively, park up or use a campsite close by and use public transport to get in.
Getting LPG in Ireland
LPG (GPL) might be discovered at chosen petrol stations and at autogas stations. If shopping for from a petroleum station, you could want to attend for an attendant to show the system on for you.
You can discover locations which promote LPG utilizing MyLPG.eu Ireland principally makes use of the ACME connector.
LEARN MORE: Learn how we discover LPG in Europe for our motorhome
More helpful issues to know when campervanning in Ireland
Some extra ideas that will help you take pleasure in your time touring in Ireland.
Emergency Numbers: 112 will get you every part. 999 works as properly.
Language– Irish Gaelic and English
Currency– Euros within the Republic of Ireland, GBP (British Pound) in Northern Ireland
Cards– most main credit score and debit playing cards are accepted. American Express is just taken in giant shops (typically not at gasoline stations)
Timezone– GMT (or the identical as Britain) Ireland follows Britain when it comes to shifting forwards or backwards for summer season
Mobile Phone and Internet – You ought to be capable to use your UK cell and knowledge with none problem in Ireland. If unsure, examine along with your supplier earlier than you journey.
Tipping- It’s regular to depart round 10-15% of your invoice as a tip after consuming a meal in a restaurant. A tip for a barman is all the time appreciated (and may get you entry to some hidden whiskies!) Tips for cab drivers and different companies are additionally appreciated.
Shops– Neither Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland are significantly costly when it comes to meals or goods- it’s about on par with the remainder of the UK and also you’ll see most of the identical retailers, particularly in Northern Ireland. Tesco and Lidl are widespread.
The Republic of Ireland is staunchly Catholic and you could discover many retailers closed on Sundays and spiritual days. Some of the bigger supermarkets and garages could also be open for a couple of hours. Most retailers shut between 5pm-7pm through the week- supermarkets could also be open as late as 10pm.
Northern Ireland follows the UK, so retailers are sometimes open 10-4pm on Sundays and shut between 5pm-7pm through the week.
Campervanning in Ireland- safety
Ireland, just like the UK, has good areas and not-so-good areas when it comes to crime charges. Vehicle break-ins do occur, as do petty theft and pickpocketing.
We extremely advocate paying additional consideration to your motorhome safety when travelling in Ireland. You would possibly even want to match an additional camper habitation door lock and by no means go away your automobile unattended in an unsecure space.
READ MORE: Essential ideas for safeguarding your van at house and on the street
Touring Ireland with a canine
Sadly, each Northern and the Republic of Ireland will not be significantly dog-friendly, though some areas are higher than others. Most locations don’t permit canines into eating places, cafes or pubs, though they do can help you sit exterior.
You could be allowed to take them on a prepare, however most buses ban all however the smallest lap canines. They are allowed on seashores out of season, however throughout summer time they’re banned.
Having mentioned all that, there are some INCREDIBLE locations to stroll your canine, so in case you’re not fussed about consuming out or utilizing public transport, then you definitely’ll don’t have any downside along with your canine in Ireland.
Getting to Ireland from Britain with a canine
Now that BREXIT has been and gone, the foundations for getting into Ireland with a canine have modified.
In order in your canine to journey into Ireland, you will want:
- A Microchip
- A rabies vaccination (you need to wait 21 days earlier than journey)
- An Animal Health Certificate (or Pet Passport for European pets)
- A Tapeworm remedy, administered 1-5 days earlier than journey by an authorised vet. (Note: you do NOT want tapeworm for going from Ireland to Britain)
You shouldn’t must do something to take your pet from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland, or vice versa. For essentially the most up-to-date info, examine the Deara web site
Using a Drone in Ireland
You can use a drone in Ireland, however there are particular issues it’s essential do first.
READ MORE: What’s the perfect journey drone (and the way to decide on)
To use your drone in Ireland it’s essential register right here (until your drone weighs lower than 250g!) If you don’t do this, you need to not fly larger than 15 meters.
Drones and related remote-controlled flying units have to be stored not less than a minimal 30m from individuals, autos and buildings that aren’t related with the drone operator. Flying should occur in daylight solely, under 120m and by no means fly nearer than 5km to airports. The drone should all the time stay throughout the sight of the operator.
Please examine for native rules and navy or different particular restricted areas the place all of the aforementioned actions are forbidden by regulation.
