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 the whole lot it is advisable learn about motorhoming or campervanning in Eire.
Don’t overlook to obtain your FREE motorhome journey guidelines under that will help you plan your Irish street 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 seashore 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 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 Eire (which they like to name the Republic.)
You may in fact discover Eire utilizing public transport, but it surely’s so a lot better if in case you have your individual vehicle- whether or not that’s a motorhome or campervan (our most popular choices), or a automotive, caravan and even bike.
Top-of-the-line issues about with 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 may 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 with the ability to keep in a single day at some breathtaking areas.
On this information, we’re going to share with you the whole lot it is advisable 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, 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 overlook to seize your free motorhome journey guidelines which is able to assist you plan and organise the whole lot you want.
Motorhoming in Eire- When to go
Like a lot of the UK, one of the best time for a street journey might be between April and October in the event you’re simply contemplating the climate.
Nonetheless, 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. Rather a lot. Anticipate rain at any time of the yr (but another excuse to be glad of your individual automobile… you possibly can cover inside if the climate turns!) After all, there are some sunny days as effectively, and also you’re more than likely to get these throughout the summer season.
July and August are the principle college holidays, so the whole lot might be loads busier then AND costs for the whole lot might be higher- ferries, campsites and even some attraction charges.
Different main occasions in Eire embrace the Rugby Six nations originally of the yr (which is principally centred on Dublin), The Gathering- a standard dancing and music competition held every February in Kilkenny and St Patricks Day on seventeenth March every year- the whole nation celebrates it with a ardour (celebrations usually final per week!)
There’s additionally the Galway Meals Competition in April, the Style of Dublin meals competition 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. When you’re in a position to journey outdoors of college holidays we extremely suggest it, and also you’ll always remember a St Patrick’s Day in Dublin! (Really, that’s not strictly true; pals 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
Among the greatest locations to go to in Eire with a campervan or motorhome embrace:
- Cliffs of Moher – unbelievably dramatic
- The Wild Atlantic Means- 1700 miles of dramatic shoreline and conventional Irish tradition
- Giants Causeway (Northern Eire)
- Darkish Hedges road- well-known as a Sport 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 street journeys in Eire
- The Rock of Cashel- Eire’s most visited Heritage web site
- Blarney Fortress and the Blarney Stone
- Dunmore Head- mainland Eire’s most westernmost level
- Torc waterfall- one of many greatest waterfalls in Europe
Speaking of TV reveals and films, listed below are a number of the greatest which have been shot in Eire:
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Cliffs of Moher, Lemon Rock)
- Star Wars: The Drive Awakens/The Final Jedi (Skellig Michael island)
- Braveheart (sure, I do know it’s about Scotland!)- Bective Abbey, Curragh Plains, Trim Fortress)
- Saving Personal Ryan Ballinesker Seaside- the setting for the D-Day landings in opening 20 minutes
- The Princess Bride (Cliffs of Moher)
- Sport of Thrones (see some guided excursions right here)
After all, there are MANY different unbelievable areas and locations to go to in Eire- we will’t presumably checklist all of them.
When you take pleasure in studying books earlier than a visit, listed below are some we suggest:
See extra enjoyable and sensible motorhoming books we suggest 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 will not be
- The Republic of Eire is within the EU. Northern Eire will not 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
Nonetheless, 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 extremely easy- it’s now somewhat more durable due to BREXIT, but it surely’s nonetheless only a matter of driving south. There might be a border to cross and also you’ll want to hold all the proper 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 referred to as Britain!), if you wish to take your individual motorhome or campervan throughout to Eire, 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)
Attending to Eire from France
There are additionally ferries which go immediately from France to Eire.
- Cherbourg to Dublin which normally 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 3 times per week (Stena Line)
Travelling round Eire
When you’re over in Eire, whether or not it’s North or South, the street system is excellent and simple to navigate. We’ll discuss extra in regards to the guidelines, velocity limits and different issues to know shortly.
New to motorhome or camper journey in Europe? You may discover these posts useful:
See all our Europe motorhoming posts right here
NEED GEAR? When you want any equipment or necessities for motorhoming in Europe, right here’s what we suggest and the place to search out it
Hiring a motorhome to tour Eire
After all, in the event you don’t have or wish to pay to take your automobile to Eire, otherwise you’re travelling from additional away, the simplest 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 may must ebook 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 automobile in Eire you could:
- be not less than 21 years outdated, though many rent automotive firms have a minimal age of 25 (sure automotive classes could require older)
- There could also be restrictions for over 70s as effectively
- 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 may anticipate to pay round £100/ day for a campervan in June out of peak season- you should definitely ask the appropriate questions so you understand what to anticipate out of your motorhome or campervan rental
Keep in mind that you simply may must pay an extra payment to drive from the Republic of Eire into Northern Eire (or vice versa) so test along with your rent firm earlier than you ebook.
Don’t overlook, it’s YOUR accountability to ensure the automobile has the required security tools. The on-the-spot fines apply to you as the driving force, not the corporate. Examine prematurely with the corporate what equipment they are going to present with the automobile and what you’ll need to carry.
Take an inventory of what’s legally required with you and test it off one after the other as you’re given the handover. Don’t drive till you’re blissful you adjust to the native legal guidelines.
Campervan guidelines in Eire- what gear it is advisable carry
Issues it is advisable 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 just like the foundations within the UK, so there are only a few belongings you LEGALLY have to hold (though we suggest them anyway.) There are:
- UK sticker connected to the again of auto or reg plates (and trailer if in case you have one)
- A spare wheel (and instruments to vary it!), or a tyre restore equipment.
- When you put on glasses you MUST carry a spare pair
- Crash helmets are obligatory for bike/ moped riders and passengers
NOTE: Hello-vis reflective jackets ,Warning triangles and Headlight beam converters (if in case you have a UK automobile) will not be required in Eire. You probably have a European automobile (ie- you usually drive on the appropriate), you’ll need headlight converters.
What paperwork do it is advisable street journey in Eire?
When you’re driving in Eire, it is advisable carry the next paperwork:
- Passport (or identification card)
- Driving licence (test it’s in date!)
- Motorhome Insurance coverage documents- test you’re coated for driving in Europe
- Breakdown cowl
- Car V5 logbook (which should present your appropriate deal with)
- Car have to be legally taxed and MOT’d
- Trailer certification
- Inexperienced card (get out of your automobile insurer)
- Worldwide Driving Allow if required
- Private journey insurance coverage
Do I would like a global driving allow to drive in Eire?
Most UK residents don’t want an IDP to drive in Eire, so long as you’ve a card driving licence issued within the UK (in date, in fact!)
You may want one if in case you have:
- a paper driving licence solely
- a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
(When 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 may 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’s a checklist of issues we extremely suggest when motorhoming in Eire, however that are NOT important:
Motorhome Stopovers and In a single day camper parking in Eire
Like most nations in Europe, there are a number of varieties of locations the place you possibly can cease along with your motorhome or campervan in a single day in Eire.
- Campsites
- Free/ authorised motorhome parking schemes
- Wild Tenting (we’ll discuss extra in regards to the legality of that shortly)
Motorhome Campsites in Eire
Campsites in Eire are very similar to 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 normally cheaper!) It’s fairly straightforward to discover a campsite close to to you or close to to the place you’re going, particularly in the event you’re a member of membership or have a ebook!
You usually don’t must ebook prematurely until you’re visiting in peak season or throughout a competition (or over St Patrick’s weekend. Additionally, in the event you’re a member of one of many UK’s greatest motorhome golf equipment, they’ve some websites in Eire which you’ll ebook by way of their techniques.
Bear in mind that many campsites shut for winter, some as early as September and don’t re-open till Easter. So do your analysis, particularly in the event you’re travelling out of season.
TOP TIP: When you can journey outdoors peak occasions, use your ACSI Tenting Card to scale 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 authorised 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.
Accepted in a single day motorhome parking
There are a number of schemes which join motorhomers and campervanners who don’t wish to keep in campsites each night time to companies and locations blissful to permit in a single day parking (normally with out amenities). That is in trade 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 areas 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 amazing possibility for a free in a single day parking cease in the event you’re already going to eat at them. Lots of them will enable motorhomes and campervans to remain in a single day of their automotive parks (some even enable caravans). Clearly, that is just for the night- you in all probability wouldn’t be capable to keep there for per 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 automobile aside from on authorised campsites, until you’ve the landowners permission.
Nonetheless, 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 transferring on once more within the morning. No awnings, outside furnishings, BBQs, motorhome turbines, washing strains or something OUTSIDE the automobile. In lots of distant locations, in the event you arrive late within the afternoon and depart 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 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 special matter, and is forbidden in Eire. You’ll in all probability be requested to maneuver on and/ or fined by the Police in the event you appear to be you’re tenting along with your van.
Keep in mind, you possibly can all the time ask in the event you’re allowed to remain. The Irish are extremely hospitable and in the event you’re well mannered and respectful, they’re very more likely to can help you keep with out difficulty (particularly in the event you’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 aside from on the campsites. For that reason, it’s price reserving right into a campsite for an evening each few days, so as to use its companies.
Some campsites will can help 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 automobile. Eire has a reasonably good street community, particularly across the main cities and cities. Nonetheless, a number of the smaller rural roads could be VERY slim and plenty of are marked as unsuitable for bigger autos, like motorhomes.
Typically, these small roads are single monitor, and have passing locations. These are locations to drag in to let one other automobile go previous from the opposite route, NOT someplace to park up and go for a stroll.
Additionally, anticipate slow-moving farm autos on these roads- it might probably 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 possibly can journey in in the future. Additionally, 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)
- Keep to the left on roads with a couple of lane and overtake on the appropriate.
- At roundabouts and junctions, visitors already on the street and coming from the appropriate 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 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 throughout 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). When you change the settings in your motorhome sat-nav, bear in mind to vary it in the event you cross the border!
Breaking the velocity restrict in both Northern or Southern Eire will end in a set penalty and/ or penalty factors in your driving licence.
On the spot fines are uncommon, however it’s attainable to be pulled over by the police pressure for rushing and given a set penalty discover and/ or plus a £100 fantastic.
Republic of IRELAND
Pace Limits for autos 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 automobile 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 largely in vans that are moved round because the Irish police pressure (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 presently 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 a couple of however not all). Alternatively, you possibly can join a TollTag account and that may cost you as you drive.
The one street the place you can not pay as you drive is the M50. The M50 works a bit like a Dartford Tunnel- it is advisable pay for utilizing it by 8pm the next day. You may pay at many garages and retailers within the space, however the simplest way is on-line right here.
If you’re renting a automobile, you’ll need to ask them pay for tolls/ the M50 however its widespread so that you can must pay your self.
Petrol/ Diesel in Eire
There are many gas stations throughout Eire. As with in all places, you’ll discover the costs barely increased 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 stuffed up- there might be an indication to inform you what to do. (Depart your automotive in entrance of the pump and make a remark of the pump quantity.)
You may pay utilizing money or a bank card. Many locations do NOT take American Categorical. You should use your UK playing cards and not using a downside.
Parking in Eire
Many locations which permit parking throughout the day or night time require fee. Normally it is advisable pay on the ticket machine show your parking ticket within the windscreen. Not doing that is more likely to end in 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 Eire is that parking in cities and cities could be tough- many locations have top obstacles of round 2.5m (and most vans and motorhomes are taller than that!) Subsequently, you would wish to search out on-street parking within the city, which could be tough. 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 could want to attend for an attendant to show the system on for you.
You’ll find locations which promote LPG utilizing MyLPG.eu Eire largely 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 the whole lot. 999 works as effectively.
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 simply taken in massive shops (usually not at gas stations)
Timezone– GMT (or the identical as Britain) Eire follows Britain when it comes to transferring forwards or backwards for summer season
Cellular Cellphone and Web – It is best to be capable to use your UK cell and knowledge with none difficulty in Eire. If doubtful, test 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.
Outlets– 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 lots of the identical retailers, particularly in Northern Eire. Tesco and Lidl are widespread.
The Republic of Eire is staunchly Catholic and you could discover many retailers closed on Sundays and non secular days. Among the bigger supermarkets and garages could also be open for a couple of hours. Most retailers shut between 5pm-7pm throughout 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 throughout 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 suggest paying additional consideration to your motorhome safety when travelling in Eire. You may even want to match an additional camper habitation door lock and by no means depart your automobile unattended in an unsecure space.
READ MORE: Important ideas for safeguarding your van at residence and on the street
Touring Eire with a canine
Sadly, each Northern and the Republic of Eire will not be notably dog-friendly, though some areas are higher than others. Most locations don’t enable canines into eating places, cafes or pubs, though they do can help you sit outdoors.
You is likely to be allowed to take them on a practice, however most buses ban all however the smallest lap canines. They’re allowed on seashores out of season, however throughout summer season they’re banned.
Having stated all that, there are some INCREDIBLE locations to stroll your canine, so in the event you’re not fussed about consuming out or utilizing public transport, then you definitely’ll haven’t any downside along with your canine in Eire.
Attending to Eire from Britain with a canine
Now that BREXIT has been and gone, the foundations for getting into Eire with a canine have modified.
To ensure that your canine to journey into Eire, you’ll need:
- A Microchip
- A rabies vaccination (you could 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 authorised vet. (Word: you do NOT want tapeworm for going from Eire to Britain)
You shouldn’t must do something to take your pet from Northern Eire into the Republic of Eire, or vice versa. For essentially the most up-to-date data, test the Deara web site
Utilizing a Drone in Eire
You should use a drone in Eire, however there are particular issues it is advisable do first.
READ MORE: What’s one of the best journey drone (and the way to decide on)
To make use of your drone in Eire it is advisable register right here (until your drone weighs lower than 250g!) If you don’t try this, you could not fly increased than 15 meters.
Drones and comparable remote-controlled flying units have to be saved not less than a minimal 30m from folks, 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 inside the sight of the operator.
Please test for native laws and navy or different particular restricted areas the place all of the aforementioned actions are forbidden by regulation.
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