Ireland is a stunning destination for a road trip. In both Northern and Southern Ireland, there is so much history, gorgeous roads and locations to explore, and lots of welcoming places to find food and entertainment.
You may certainly travel throughout Ireland using public transportation, but having your own vehicle, whether it’s a motorhome or campervan (our favourite alternatives), a car, caravan, or even a motorcycle, is far superior.
One of the nicest things about taking a motorhome vacation in Ireland is that you can see the contrasts across the areas and get a genuine sense of the nation in a short amount of time. It can also save money on your trip if you buy and prepare your meals rather than having to buy them all—not to mention the opportunity to stay overnight in some spectacular locales.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about a motorhome or campervanning in Ireland in this guide, including how to get to Ireland from the UK (or elsewhere), how to plan your route, where to stay (motorhome campsites, alternatives, or wild camping with your camper), some road trip ideas and places to visit, driving tips, and other practical advice to help you have an amazing Irish road trip.
General Information
- We’re sure that most people do know the currency of Ireland to be the Euro. The current exchange rate at the time of writing is £1 = €1.20
- Nothing is more annoying in the UK than crossing a toll bridge you were unaware of and getting surprised with a charge a few days later. That is why it is important to remember. To see a list of all toll roads and crossings in Ireland click here.
- Low-emission zones, emergency pollution plans, and access restrictions aren’t too common in Irish cities and towns but it is still important to know where they are.
- To get a full map of Low emission zones and even zero-emission zones, click here.
Now the boring important information is done, let’s get to how you can get to Ireland.
Documents
What documents do you need for a trip to Ireland?
If you’re driving in Ireland, you need to carry the following documents:
- Passport (or identity card)
- Driving licence (check it is in date!)
- Motorhome Insurance documents- check you are covered for driving in Europe
- Breakdown cover
- Vehicle V5 logbook (which must show your correct address)
- Vehicle must be legally taxed and MOT’d
- Trailer certification
- Green card (get from your vehicle insurer)
- International Driving Permit if required
- Personal travel insurance
How to get there
Going from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland is quite simple really, you just drive through the border. However due to Brexit, you will have to stop at a border crossing and make sure you carry the correct documents, it’s also possible you may run into a toll crossing depending on your route.
If you decide to get a Ferry from the rest of the UK to the Republic of Ireland then there are plenty of ferry routes to choose 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)
If you find yourself in France and decide to go to Ireland on your way back home there are also regular ferries there that can be found below:
- Cherbourg to Dublin which usually runs 3 times weekly (Irish Ferries)
- Cherbourg to Rosslare once per week (Brittany Ferries)
- Roscoff to Cork twice-weekly (Brittany Ferries)
- Roscoff to Rosslare once weekly (Brittany Ferries)
- Cherbourg to Rosslare which runs three times a week (Stena Line)
Where to go
Camac Valley Tourist Caravan & Camping Park, County Dublin
If you’re visiting Ireland, you’ll almost certainly be stopping in the capital city for a while, necessitating the use of a camping location near Dublin.
On the 120-hectare Corkagh Park Estate, the award-winning Camac Valley Tourist Caravan & Camping Park offers extensive walks, playgrounds, natural wildlife, fishing lakes, and even an animal farm. It features accessible shower/toilet facilities and ramps throughout, making it a welcoming environment for everyone. Camac Valley is an excellent starting point for visiting Dublin, a dynamic city with plenty to do. A daily hop-on, hop-off bus tour, as well as a public bus stop at the park’s entry, pick up inhabitants. It’s never been simpler to camp in Dublin!
Morriscastle Strand Holiday Park, County Wexford
If you’re looking for a family-friendly campground in Ireland, you’ve come to the right place. Then you’ll be pleased to learn about Morriscastle Strand Holiday Park, which is regarded as a child’s paradise. To keep the kids engaged, they have a playground, basketball court, astroturf pitch, and a summer children’s camp. Your children will want you to take them on additional camping vacations, especially ones so near to a Blue Flag beach. Cooking meals from the great selection of products available at Lawler’s Shop, just five minutes away, or treating yourself to a nice dinner at their on-site restaurant are also options. Visit the top family-friendly campsites in Ireland to make your holiday one that the whole family will enjoy.
Wave Crest Caravan & Camping Park, County Kerry
Camping in Ireland is always a pleasure; how could it not be in such a lovely country? However, camping at West Crest Caravan & Camping Park’s lovely, beachfront location will exceed any expectations. A bottle of wine over the campfire will complement their spectacular sea views nicely. They have tourist information on site, as well as a cafe and deli, as well as a well-stocked store. The fully furnished play area will enthral younger children, while fishing supplies and boating opportunities will enthral older youngsters. Wave Crest Caravan & Camping Park’s games area and TV room can brighten even the gloomiest of days.
Pure Camping, County Clare
Choosing the finest campsites in Ireland may be a difficult challenge, as what makes a campsite the best is a subjective matter. Well, if we’re looking for the greatest campsite for our world, Pure Camping is the apparent victor. Glamping tents, eco timber chalets, and regular pitches are all available at this environmentally friendly campsite. You’ll find hundreds of pathways to spend your days, including a 15-minute trek to the local coast and pier, which is located close to big woods. They feature a section dedicated to eco-tech, pure camping, and ecotourism in their Environmental Corner. The slogan here is unquestionably “take just photos, leave only imprints.” They provide a variety of activities, such as yoga and meditation, demonstrating that pure camping extends beyond its environmental purpose. There are no electric hookups, however, they do have a huge pizza oven that guests may use! This helps children to be energy self-sufficient while you have a pleasant and social evening! Do you think Pure Camping is a little too rustic for you? Relax in their sauna and forget about your worries as you take a break from your regular routine!
Glengarriff Caravan and Camping Park, County Cork
Glengarriff Caravan and Camping Park is the place to go if you’re seeking for excitement or new experiences. This campground in West Cork is great for travelling Cork and Kerry. It is distinguished by its on-site bar and lounge, which is known for its regular live music performances. You may easily spend your evenings socialising while enjoying a pint and some decent music. However, if you’re wanting to rest and unwind, this is still one of Ireland’s greatest camping places. You can easily explore the Mizen and Beara peninsulas from this campground by strolling the trails in the forest park and taking boat rides to adjacent Garnish Island.
Mannix Point, County Kerry
Mannix Point wins a spot on the list mostly because of its fantastic location. It’s near Cahirciveen, encircled by the Iveragh Peninsula’s mountains and with a half-kilometre of shoreline. This assures spectacular views all around, as well as accessibility to scores of beautiful walks that may be followed by a refreshing swim in the sea. Mortimer has been the proprietor since 1984, and we defy you to find a kinder host! It has received fifteen national and international honours, including the Certificate of Excellence and Europe’s Best Welcome. It is the first Camping & Caravan Park in Ireland to be inducted into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame, which is awarded to businesses who have received the Certificate of Excellence for five years in a row. The pleasant, unplanned music sessions in the campers’ kitchens, where you’re certain to meet fellow visitors, may be enjoyed after a day of touring. We recommend this campsite to visitors to the Skellig Islands since it is the closest camping area to the departure points.
The Apple Camping & Caravan Park, County Tipperary
This modest, family-run campground earns a spot on this list of the top campsites in Ireland because to its unique offering. Visitors to the Apple Camping & Caravan Park are greeted with a bottle of award-winning apple juice produced from scratch. The campground sits on a fruit farm and orchard, so there’ll be lots of room and great stuff to enjoy! Despite the fact that it doubles as a farm, the park has a water supply and electricity, as well as clean restrooms. Play tennis on their full-sized court before cooking in their converted camper’s kitchen. This location is also environmentally conscious, with recycling bins, solar-powered amenities, and animals wandering freely. With a great glass of apple juice to start your mornings, the Apple Camping & Caravan Park is excellent for camping and visiting southern Ireland.
That concludes our guide on travelling in a motorhome or campervan in Ireland, and hopefully, it has answered some of your questions and given you some ideas.
Ready to explore The Republic of Ireland? Our team of motorhome and asset finance specialists are on hand to guide you through our finance application, so click here to get started today.
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