Planning to go to Eire with a motorhome or campervan? Need to get some ideas for locations to go to, the place to remain, routes to take and extra? Right here’s every little thing you have to find out about motorhoming or campervanning in Eire.
Don’t neglect to obtain your FREE motorhome journey guidelines under that will help you plan your Irish highway journey.
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Campervanning in Eire – why it is best to go!
As I write this, I’m sitting in my motorhome by a seaside within the Republic of Eire. Certain, it’s wet, however that’s not detracting from the great thing about this nation. It’s not referred to as the Emerald Isle for nothing!
Put easy, Eire is a good looking place for a highway journey. There’s a lot historical past, lovely roads and locations to discover and loads of hospitable locations to search out meals and leisure, each in Northern and Southern Eire (which they like to name the Republic.)
You may in fact discover Eire utilizing public transport, however it’s so significantly better if in case you have your individual vehicle- whether or not that’s a motorhome or campervan (our most popular choices), or a automobile, caravan and even motorcycle.
Among the best issues about having the ability to discover Eire on a motorhoming vacation is which you can see the variations between the areas and actually get a really feel for the nation in a brief area of time. It might additionally 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 places.
On this information, we’re going to share with you every little thing you have to know to go motorhoming or campervanning in Eire, together with attending to Eire from the UK (or elsewhere), planning your route, the place to remain (motorhome campsites, options or wild tenting along with your camper), some highway journey concepts and locations to go to, driving ideas and different sensible recommendation that will help you have an incredible Irish highway journey.
Don’t neglect to seize your free motorhome journey guidelines which is able to allow you to plan and organise every little thing you want.
Motorhoming in Eire- When to go
Like many of the UK, the most effective time for a highway journey might be between April and October if you happen to’re simply contemplating the climate.
Nevertheless, do not forget that it’s referred to as the ‘Emerald Isle’ as a result of it’s so inexperienced… and it’s inexperienced as a result of it rains. Lots. Anticipate rain at any time of the yr (but one more reason to be glad of your individual car… you’ll be able to disguise inside if the climate turns!) In fact, there are some sunny days as nicely, and also you’re most definitely to get these through the summer time.
July and August are the principle college holidays, so every little thing can be rather a lot busier then AND costs for every little thing can be higher- ferries, campsites and even some attraction charges.
Different main occasions in Eire embrace the Rugby Six nations initially of the yr (which is principally 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- all the nation celebrates it with a ardour (celebrations usually final every week!)
There’s additionally the Galway Meals Competition in April, the Style of Dublin meals pageant in June and Nationwide Heritage Week on the finish of August, in addition to many others.
So there’s by no means a ‘unhealthy’ time to go to Eire. In the event 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! (Truly, that’s not strictly true; mates of mine moved to Dublin with their children 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 Eire campervanning vacation
A number of the greatest locations to go to in Eire with a campervan or motorhome embrace:
- Cliffs of Moher – unbelievably dramatic
- The Wild Atlantic Method- 1700 miles of dramatic shoreline and conventional Irish tradition
- Giants Causeway (Northern Eire)
- Darkish Hedges road- well-known as a Recreation of Thrones filming location. You may drive down it, however not in a motorhome!
- Dublin- one in every of our favorite cities in Europe
- The Ring of Kerry- one of many greatest highway journeys in Eire
- The Rock of Cashel- Eire’s most visited Heritage website
- Blarney Fort and the Blarney Stone
- Dunmore Head- mainland Eire’s most westernmost level
- Torc waterfall- one of many greatest waterfalls in Europe
Speaking of TV exhibits and films, listed here are a few of the largest which have been shot in Eire:
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Cliffs of Moher, Lemon Rock)
- Star Wars: The Pressure Awakens/The Final Jedi (Skellig Michael island)
- Braveheart (sure, I do know it’s about Scotland!)- Bective Abbey, Curragh Plains, Trim Fort)
- Saving Personal Ryan Ballinesker Seaside- the setting for the D-Day landings in opening 20 minutes
- The Princess Bride (Cliffs of Moher)
- Recreation of Thrones (see some guided excursions right here)
In fact, there are MANY different unbelievable places and locations to go to in Eire- we are able to’t presumably listing all of them.
In the event you take pleasure in studying books earlier than a visit, listed here are some we advocate:
See extra enjoyable and sensible motorhoming books we advocate studying
Attending to Eire from Britain with a motorhome or camper
Okay, earlier than we go any additional, let’s clear up the confusion.
- Northern Eire IS a part of the UK. The Republic of Eire shouldn’t be
- The Republic of Eire is within the EU. Northern Eire shouldn’t be
- Nice Britain (or Britain) refers back to the landmass of England, Scotland and Wales
- The British Isles is the UK AND the Republic of Eire (plus the Channel Islands, Scilly Isles and 1000’s of different small islands.) There’s a wonderful article explaining all of it right here
Nevertheless, even figuring out all that, many individuals (myself included!) incorrectly say going from the UK to Eire, after they imply from Britain. So, my apologies ought to I make that error elsewhere.
Crossing from Northern Eire to Southern Eire
To get to Republic of Eire from Northern Eire you… drive throughout the border. It was once extremely easy- it’s now a bit more durable due to BREXIT, however it’s nonetheless only a matter of driving south. There can be a border to cross and also you’ll want to hold all the right paperwork. Relying in your route, there could also be a toll cost.
Attending to Eire by Ferry from remainder of the UK
For the remainder of the UK (in any other case often called Britain!), if you wish to take your individual motorhome or campervan throughout to Eire, you’ll have to get on a ferry. There are just a few 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)
Attending to Eire from France
There are additionally ferries which go straight from France to Eire.
- Cherbourg to Dublin which often runs 3 occasions 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 Eire
When you’re over in Eire, whether or not it’s North or South, the highway system is excellent and simple to navigate. We’ll speak extra concerning the guidelines, velocity limits and different issues to know shortly.
New to motorhome or camper journey in Europe? You would possibly discover these posts useful:
See all our Europe motorhoming posts right here
NEED GEAR? In the event you want any package or necessities for motorhoming in Europe, right here’s what we advocate and the place to search out it
Hiring a motorhome to tour Eire
In fact, if you happen to don’t have or need to pay to take your car to Eire, otherwise you’re travelling from additional away, the best possibility is to fly in to Eire and hire a motorhome or campervan to make use of throughout your keep. Simply ensure to ask get from the airport to the rental agency- not all of them are on the airport itself and also you would possibly have to e book a taxi.
The most important airports in Eire 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 Eire)
- Belfast Airport – in Northern Eire
To hire a car in Eire you have to:
- be not less than 21 years outdated, though many rent automobile firms have a minimal age of 25 (sure automobile classes could require older)
- There could also be restrictions for over 70s as nicely
- have had a driving licence for multiple yr
- present identification (identification card for EU residents or a legitimate passport for different nationalities)
You may count on to pay round £100/ day for a campervan in June out of peak season- you should definitely ask the precise questions so you understand what to anticipate out of your motorhome or campervan rental
Keep in mind that you simply would possibly have to pay a further payment to drive from the Republic of Eire into Northern Eire (or vice versa) so verify along with your rent firm earlier than you e book.
Don’t neglect, it’s YOUR accountability to ensure the car has the required security tools. The on-the-spot fines apply to you as the motive force, not the corporate. Examine prematurely with the corporate what package they may present with the car and what you will want to deliver.
Take a listing of what’s legally required with you and verify it off one after the other as you might be given the handover. Don’t drive till you might be joyful you adjust to the native legal guidelines.
Campervan guidelines in Eire- what gear you have to carry
Issues you have to carry to legally drive in Eire
You’ll be happy to know that, not like motorhoming in France or a lot of the remainder of Europe, Eire is much like the foundations within the UK, so there are only a few belongings you LEGALLY have to hold (though we advocate them anyway.) There are:
- UK sticker connected to the again of car or reg plates (and trailer if in case you have one)
- A spare wheel (and instruments to alter it!), or a tyre restore package.
- In the event you put on glasses you MUST carry a spare pair
- Crash helmets are obligatory for motorcycle/ moped riders and passengers
NOTE: Hello-vis reflective jackets ,Warning triangles and Headlight beam converters (if in case you have a UK car) should not required in Eire. You probably have a European car (ie- you usually drive on the precise), you will want headlight converters.
What paperwork do you have to highway journey in Eire?
In the event you’re driving in Eire, you have to carry the next paperwork:
- Passport (or identification card)
- Driving licence (verify it’s in date!)
- Motorhome Insurance coverage documents- verify you might be coated for driving in Europe
- Breakdown cowl
- Car V5 logbook (which should present your appropriate handle)
- Car should be legally taxed and MOT’d
- Trailer certification
- Inexperienced card (get out of your car insurer)
- Worldwide Driving Allow if required
- Private journey insurance coverage
Do I would like a world driving allow to drive in Eire?
Most UK residents don’t want an IDP to drive in Eire, so long as you’ve got a card driving licence issued within the UK (in date, in fact!)
You would possibly want one if in case you have:
- a paper driving licence solely
- a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
(In the event you do want an IDP, right here’s an in-depth information on get an Worldwide Driving Allow and which one(s) you want from a UK put up workplace.
Touring Eire in a campervan- Different helpful belongings you would possibly want
We’ve been touring Europe in our motorhome for a number of years. We’ve tried all kinds of kit- some helpful, some not a lot.
Here’s a listing of issues we extremely advocate when motorhoming in Eire, however that are NOT important:
Motorhome Stopovers and In a single day camper parking in Eire
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 Eire.
- Campsites
- Free/ permitted motorhome parking schemes
- Wild Tenting (we’ll speak extra concerning the legality of that shortly)
Motorhome Campsites in Eire
Campsites in Eire are very like different campsites wherever across the UK or Europe. Some are all-singing and dancing, with swimming pools, leisure and extra, whereas others are extra fundamental (and often cheaper!) It’s fairly simple to discover a campsite close to to you or close to to the place you’re going, particularly if you happen to’re a member of membership or have a e book!
You usually don’t have to e book prematurely until you’re visiting in peak season or throughout a pageant (or over St Patrick’s weekend. Additionally, if you happen to’re a member of one of many UK’s largest motorhome golf equipment, they’ve some websites in Eire which you’ll e book by their techniques.
Remember that many campsites shut for winter, some as early as September and don’t re-open till Easter. So do your analysis, particularly if you happen to’re travelling out of season.
TOP TIP: In the event you can journey exterior peak occasions, use your ACSI Tenting Card to cut back the price of campsite stays
Aires in Eire
Eire, just like the UK, doesn’t have ‘aires’ in the identical approach you is likely to be used to if motorhoming in France, Germany or Italy.
An aire is simply an permitted in a single day motorhome parking space which isn’t a campsite. Eire DOES have many locations the place motorhomes and campervans can keep overnight- with permission. However they don’t work in the identical approach as aires.
Accredited 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 joyful to permit in a single day parking (often with out services). That is in change for you shopping for a few of their services or products, corresponding to a meal in a restaurant.
Protected Nights Eire
One such scheme is Protected Nights Eire– which has over 350 places round Northern and Southern Eire. You may be part of the scheme for simply 15€ a yr and get entry to any locations that are a part of the scheme.
Pub In a single day Stops in Eire
Pubs are an excellent possibility for a free in a single day parking cease if you happen to’re already going to eat at them. A lot of them will permit motorhomes and campervans to remain in a single day of their automobile parks (some even permit caravans). Clearly, that is just for the night- you most likely wouldn’t be capable of keep there for every week, though I suppose there’s no hurt in asking!
READ MORE: How we discover locations without cost in a single day motorhome stopovers
Wild Parking in Eire for motorhomes and campers
Is wild tenting for motorhomes and campervans allowed in Eire? The authorized reply is no- you’re not allowed to remain wherever with a motorised car other than on permitted campsites, until you’ve got the landowners permission.
Nevertheless, in actuality, many individuals do motorhome wild tenting throughout Eire and infrequently have an issue.
There’s a distinction between ‘tenting’ and ‘in a single day parking’. Many individuals (us included) incorrectly consult with parking up in a single day someplace as motorhome wild tenting, as an alternative of in a single day parking.
In a single day 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 traces or something OUTSIDE the car. In lots of distant locations, if you happen to arrive late within the afternoon and go away early-ish within the morning, you’ll be completely high-quality to remain in a single day, until there’s a transparent signal banning motorhomes or campers in a single day.
For recommendations on 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 Tenting is a unique matter, and is forbidden in Eire. You’ll most likely be requested to maneuver on and/ or fined by the Police if you happen to seem like you might be tenting along with your van.
Bear in mind, you’ll be able to all the time ask if you happen to’re allowed to remain. The Irish are extremely hospitable and if you happen to’re well mannered and respectful, they’re very prone to let you keep with out difficulty (particularly if you happen to’ve simply paid cash to them for one thing!)
Motorhome wild tenting guides for the UK & Europe
Motorhome and campervan service factors in Eire
Not like in Europe, there are only a few locations to discharge waste and water and refill with recent water other than on the campsites. Because of this, it’s price reserving right into a campsite for an evening each few days, to be able to use its companies.
Some campsites will let you pay a small payment and use the companies with out paying for an in a single day stop- you’l must ask as you go.
Driving ideas for Eire
Some helpful ideas for driving in Eire, no matter your car. Eire has a reasonably good highway community, particularly across the main cities and cities. Nevertheless, a few of the smaller rural roads could be VERY slender and plenty of are marked as unsuitable for bigger automobiles, like motorhomes.
Typically, these small roads are single monitor, and have passing locations. These are locations to drag in to let one other car go previous from the opposite route, NOT someplace to park up and go for a stroll.
Additionally, count on slow-moving farm automobiles on these roads- it may possibly take some time to get wherever and no-one in Eire is in a lot of a rush. So don’t over-estimate how far you’ll be able to journey in at some point. Additionally, count on sheep, cows and different animals to wander out into the highway in entrance of you at any second.
- Drive on the left (like within the UK, the alternative to most of Europe)
- Keep to the left on roads with multiple lane and overtake on the precise.
- At roundabouts and junctions, visitors already on the highway and coming from the precise has precedence.
- Motorways are marked with an ‘M’
- Seatbelts are obligatory for entrance and rear passengers
- All youngsters as much as 135 cms in peak or as much as 12 years of age, should use an appropriate youngster seat (Northern Eire)
- Handsfree kits are required if utilizing a cell phone
- Units warning of velocity cameras are forbidden
- Dipped headlights are to be used throughout poor visibility.
- Bikes should use dipped headlights through the day always.
Pace Limits in Eire
IMPORTANT: The Republic of Eire drives in km/h (like most of Europe). Northern Eire drives in mph (like the remainder of the UK). In the event you change the settings in your motorhome sat-nav, keep in mind to alter it if you happen to cross the border!
Breaking the velocity restrict in both Northern or Southern Eire will lead to a set 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 dashing and given a set penalty discover and/ or plus a £100 high-quality.
Republic of IRELAND
Pace Limits for automobiles below 3.5t are as follows (until in any other case signed!)
- Motorways- 120km/h (74mph)
- Nationwide roads/ twin carriageways- 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Regional roads- 80km/h (50mph)
- Constructed up areas- 50 km/h (31 mph)
Pace limits for car OVER 3.5t
- Motorways/ – 90 km/h (55 mph)
- Nationwide roads/ twin carriageways- 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Regional roads- 80km/h (50mph)
- Constructed up areas- 50 km/h (31 mph)
Pace limits in Northern Eire
- Motorways/ – 70 mph (
- Nationwide roads/ twin carriageways- 60mph
- Constructed up areas- 30 mph (50kph)
Pace cameras in Eire
There are each static and cell velocity cameras in Eire. 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 Eire has stricter drink driving legal guidelines than Northern Eire, solely permitting 50 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (the UK and Northern Eire is 80). As all the time, don’t drink and drive. If you’re a brand new or knowledgeable driver, the degrees are even decrease.
Tolls in Eire
There are at the moment no toll roads in Northern Eire.
There are 11 toll roads within the Republic of Eire- not as many as you is likely to be used to in France (and fortuitously not as costly as Norway!) You may see the place they’re right here.
You may pay for the tolls utilizing money on the toll plazas (playing cards are accepted at just a few however not all). Alternatively, you’ll be able to join a TollTag account and that may cost you as you drive.
The one highway the place you can’t pay as you drive is the M50. The M50 works a bit like a Dartford Tunnel- you have to pay for utilizing it by 8pm the next day. You may pay at many garages and retailers within the space, however the easiest method is on-line right here.
If you’re renting a car, you will want to ask them pay for tolls/ the M50 however its widespread so that you can have to pay your self.
Petrol/ Diesel in Eire
There are many gas stations throughout Eire. As with all over the place, you’ll discover the costs barely larger on the motorways.
Petrol is Unleaded (95 / 98) – Inexperienced handles on pump
Diesel has black or yellow handles on pump
Some locations are 24h pay on the pump, however could require you to enter the store and pay the cashier both prematurely or after you’ve crammed up- there can be an indication to let you know what to do. (Go away your automobile in entrance of the pump and make an observation of the pump quantity.)
You may pay utilizing money or a bank card. Many locations do NOT take American Categorical. You should utilize your UK playing cards with out a drawback.
Parking in Eire
Many locations which permit parking through the day or night time require cost. Often you have to pay on the ticket machine show your parking ticket within the windscreen. Not doing that is prone to lead to a high-quality.
Parking is prohibited when the highway is marked with a pink line or a double yellow line.
A drawback of a campervan in Eire is that parking in cities and cities could be tough- many locations have peak boundaries of round 2.5m (and most vans and motorhomes are taller than that!) Subsequently, you would want to search out on-street parking within the city, which could be troublesome. Alternatively, park up or use a campsite close by and use public transport to get in.
Getting LPG in Eire
LPG (GPL) could be discovered at chosen petrol stations and at autogas stations. If shopping for from a petroleum station, you might want to attend for an attendant to show the system on for you.
You’ll find locations which promote LPG utilizing MyLPG.eu Eire principally makes use of the ACME connector.
LEARN MORE: Study how we discover LPG in Europe for our motorhome
Extra helpful issues to know when campervanning in Eire
Some extra ideas that will help you take pleasure in your time touring in Eire.
Emergency Numbers: 112 will get you every little thing. 999 works as nicely.
Language– Irish Gaelic and English
Forex– Euros within the Republic of Eire, GBP (British Pound) in Northern Eire
Playing cards– most main credit score and debit playing cards are accepted. American Categorical is barely taken in massive shops (usually not at gas stations)
Timezone– GMT (or the identical as Britain) Eire follows Britain when it comes to shifting forwards or backwards for summer season
Cell Telephone and Web – It is best to be capable of use your UK cell and information with none difficulty in Eire. If doubtful, verify 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!) Ideas for cab drivers and different companies are additionally appreciated.
Retailers– Neither Northern Eire or the Republic of Eire are notably 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 Eire. Tesco and Lidl are widespread.
The Republic of Eire is staunchly Catholic and you might discover many retailers closed on Sundays and non secular days. A number of the bigger supermarkets and garages could also be open for just a few hours. Most retailers shut between 5pm-7pm through the week- supermarkets could also be open as late as 10pm.
Northern Eire follows the UK, so retailers are sometimes open 10-4pm on Sundays and shut between 5pm-7pm through the week.
Campervanning in Eire- safety
Eire, just like the UK, has good areas and not-so-good areas when it comes to crime charges. Car break-ins do occur, as do petty theft and pickpocketing.
We extremely advocate paying further consideration to your motorhome safety when travelling in Eire. You would possibly even want to match an further camper habitation door lock and by no means go away your car unattended in an unsecure space.
READ MORE: Important ideas for shielding your van at house and on the highway
Touring Eire with a canine
Sadly, each Northern and the Republic of Eire should not notably dog-friendly, though some areas are higher than others. Most locations don’t permit canine into eating places, cafes or pubs, though they do let you sit exterior.
You is likely to be allowed to take them on a prepare, however most buses ban all however the smallest lap canine. They’re allowed on seashores out of season, however throughout summer time they’re banned.
Having stated all that, there are some INCREDIBLE locations to stroll your canine, so if you happen to’re not fussed about consuming out or utilizing public transport, you then’ll don’t have any drawback along with your canine in Eire.
Attending to Eire from Britain with a canine
Now that BREXIT has been and gone, the foundations for coming into Eire with a canine have modified.
To ensure that your canine to journey into Eire, you will want:
- A Microchip
- A rabies vaccination (you have to wait 21 days earlier than journey)
- An Animal Well being Certificates (or Pet Passport for European pets)
- A Tapeworm therapy, administered 1-5 days earlier than journey by an permitted vet. (Notice: you do NOT want tapeworm for going from Eire to Britain)
You shouldn’t have to do something to take your pet from Northern Eire into the Republic of Eire, or vice versa. For essentially the most up-to-date info, verify the Deara web site
Utilizing a Drone in Eire
You should utilize a drone in Eire, however there are particular issues you have to do first.
READ MORE: What’s the most effective journey drone (and the way to decide on)
To make use of your drone in Eire you have to register right here (until your drone weighs lower than 250g!) If you don’t try this, you have to not fly larger than 15 meters.
Drones and related remote-controlled flying units should be saved not less than a minimal 30m from individuals, automobiles 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 verify for native rules and army or different particular restricted areas the place all of the aforementioned actions are forbidden by legislation.
Final replace on 2025-03-30 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
