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 part you should find out about motorhoming or campervanning in Eire.
Don’t overlook 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 you must 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 fantastic thing about this nation. It’s not referred to as the Emerald Isle for nothing!
Put easy, Eire is a ravishing 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’ll be able to in fact discover Eire utilizing public transport, however it’s so a lot better you probably have your individual vehicle- whether or not that’s a motorhome or campervan (our most well-liked choices), or a automotive, caravan and even bike.
Probably the greatest issues about with the ability to discover Eire on a motorhoming vacation is that you may 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 a substitute of getting to purchase them all- to not point out with the ability to keep in a single day at some breathtaking places.
On this information, we’re going to share with you every part you should 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 highway journey concepts and locations to go to, driving ideas and different sensible recommendation that will help you have a tremendous Irish highway journey.
Don’t overlook to seize your free motorhome journey guidelines which can aid you plan and organise every part you want.
Motorhoming in Eire- When to go
Like a lot of the UK, the most effective time for a highway journey might be between April and October in case you’re simply contemplating the climate.
Nonetheless, keep in mind 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. Quite a bit. Count on rain at any time of the yr (but another excuse to be glad of your individual car… you may cover inside if the climate turns!) In fact, there are some sunny days as effectively, and also you’re almost definitely to get these in the course of the summer season.
July and August are the principle faculty holidays, so every part will likely be rather a lot busier then AND costs for every part will likely be higher- ferries, campsites and even some attraction charges.
Different main occasions in Eire embody the Rugby Six nations firstly of the yr (which is especially 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 complete nation celebrates it with a ardour (celebrations typically final every 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 ‘dangerous’ time to go to Eire. For those who’re capable of journey exterior of faculty holidays we extremely suggest it, and also you’ll always remember a St Patrick’s Day in Dublin! (Truly, that’s not strictly true; associates 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 few of the greatest locations to go to in Eire with a campervan or motorhome embody:
- 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’ll be able to drive down it, however not in a motorhome!
- Dublin- considered one 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 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 exhibits and films, listed here are among the largest which had been shot in Eire:
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Cliffs of Moher, Lemon Rock)
- Star Wars: The Power 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 Seashore- 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 unimaginable places and locations to go to in Eire- we are able to’t probably listing all of them.
For those who take pleasure in studying books earlier than a visit, listed here 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 hundreds of different small islands.) There’s a superb article explaining all of it right here
Nonetheless, even understanding 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 little bit more durable because of BREXIT, however it’s nonetheless only a matter of driving south. There will likely 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 generally known as Britain!), if you wish to take your individual motorhome or campervan throughout to Eire, you’ll must 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 instantly from France to Eire.
- Cherbourg to Dublin which often 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 Eire
When you’re over in Eire, whether or not it’s North or South, the highway system is excellent and straightforward 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? For those who want any package 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
In fact, in case you 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 lease a motorhome or campervan to make use of throughout your keep. Simply make certain to ask methods to 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 lease a car in Eire you have to:
- be not less than 21 years previous, though many rent automotive corporations have a minimal age of 25 (sure automotive classes might require older)
- There could also be restrictions for over 70s as effectively
- have had a driving licence for multiple yr
- present identification (identification card for EU residents or a sound passport for different nationalities)Â
You’ll be able to count on to pay round £100/ day for a campervan in June out of peak season- remember to ask the fitting questions so you understand what to anticipate out of your motorhome or campervan rental
Keep in mind that you just 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 car has the required security gear. The on-the-spot fines apply to you as the motive force, not the corporate. Test upfront with the corporate what package they are going to present with the car and what you have to to convey.
Take a listing 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 completely satisfied you adjust to the native legal guidelines.
Campervan guidelines in Eire- what gear you should carry
Issues you should carry to legally drive in Eire
You’ll be happy to know that, in contrast to motorhoming in France or a lot of the remainder of Europe, Eire is much like the principles within the UK, so there are only a few belongings you LEGALLY have to hold (though we suggest them anyway.) There are:
- UK sticker hooked up to the again of car or reg plates (and trailer you probably have one)
- A spare wheel (and instruments to vary it!), or a tyre restore package.
- For those who 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 (you probably have a UK car) should not required in Eire. In case you have a European car (ie- you usually drive on the fitting), you have to headlight converters.
What paperwork do you should highway journey in Eire?
For those who’re driving in Eire, you should 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
- Automobile V5 logbook (which should present your appropriate tackle)
- Automobile have to 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 global driving allow to drive in Eire?
Most UK residents don’t want an IDP to drive in Eire, so long as you might have a card driving licence issued within the UK (in date, in fact!)
You may want one you probably have:
- a paper driving licence solely
- a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
(For those who do want an IDP, right here’s an in-depth information on methods to 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 kinds of kit- some helpful, some not a lot.
Here’s a listing 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 may cease along with your motorhome or campervan in a single day in Eire.
- Campsites
- Free/ accepted 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 anyplace across the UK or Europe. Some are all-singing and dancing, with swimming pools, leisure and extra, whereas others are extra primary (and often cheaper!) It’s fairly straightforward 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 except you’re visiting in peak season or throughout a competition (or over St Patrick’s weekend. Additionally, in case you’re a member of one of many UK’s largest motorhome golf equipment, they’ve some websites in Eire which you’ll ebook via their methods.
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 case you’re travelling out of season.
TOP TIP: For those who can journey exterior peak instances, 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 could be used to if motorhoming in France, Germany or Italy.
An aire is simply an accepted 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.
Authorized 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 evening to companies and locations completely satisfied to permit in a single day parking (often with out amenities). 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’ll be able to 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 in case you’re already going to eat at them. A lot of them will permit motorhomes and campervans to remain in a single day of their automotive parks (some even permit caravans). Clearly, that is just for the night- you most likely wouldn’t have the ability to keep there for every week, though I suppose there’s no hurt in asking!
READ MORE: How we discover locations totally free 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 anyplace with a motorised car aside from on accepted campsites, except you might have 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 confer with parking up in a single day someplace as motorhome wild tenting, as a substitute of in a single day parking.
In a single day parking is parking up for one evening after which shifting on once more within the morning. No awnings, outside furnishings, BBQs, motorhome turbines, washing strains or something OUTSIDE the car. In lots of distant locations, in case you arrive late within the afternoon and depart early-ish within the morning, you’ll be completely effective to remain in a single day, except there’s a transparent signal banning motorhomes or campers in a single day.
For tips about methods to 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 in case you seem like you’re tenting along with your van.
Bear in mind, you may at all times 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 more likely to 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 Eire
In contrast to in Europe, there are only a few locations to discharge waste and water and refill with contemporary water aside from on the campsites. For that reason, it’s price reserving right into a campsite for an evening each few days, in an effort to use its companies.
Some campsites will help you pay a small payment and use the companies with out paying for an in a single day stop- you’l should 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. Nonetheless, among the smaller rural roads might 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 tug in to let one other car go previous from the opposite course, NOT someplace to park up and go for a stroll.
Additionally, count on slow-moving farm autos on these roads- it might take some time to get anyplace and no-one in Eire is in a lot of a rush. So don’t over-estimate how far you may journey in in the future. 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 fitting.
- At roundabouts and junctions, site visitors already on the highway and coming from the fitting has precedence.
- Motorways are marked with an ‘M’
- Seatbelts are obligatory for entrance and rear passengers
- All kids 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
- Gadgets warning of velocity cameras are forbidden
- Dipped headlights are to be used throughout poor visibility.
- Bikes should use dipped headlights in the course of 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). For those who change the settings in your motorhome sat-nav, keep in mind to vary it in case 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 potential to be pulled over by the police drive for dashing and given a set penalty discover and/ or plus a £100 effective.
Republic of IRELAND
Pace Limits for autos beneath 3.5t are as follows (except 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 SÃochána) 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 at all times, don’t drink and drive. In case you are 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 could be used to in France (and fortunately not as costly as Norway!) You’ll be able to see the place they’re right here.
You’ll be able to pay for the tolls utilizing money on the toll plazas (playing cards are accepted at just a few however not all). Alternatively, you may 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 should pay for utilizing it by 8pm the next day. You’ll be able to pay at many garages and outlets within the space, however the simplest way is on-line right here.
In case you are renting a car, you have to to ask them methods to pay for tolls/ the M50 however its frequent so that you can must pay your self.
Petrol/ Diesel in Eire
There are many gasoline stations throughout Eire. As with in all places, 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 might require you to enter the store and pay the cashier both upfront or after you’ve stuffed up- there will likely be an indication to let you know what to do. (Depart your automotive in entrance of the pump and make a remark of the pump quantity.)
You’ll be able to pay utilizing money or a bank card. Many locations do NOT take American Categorical. You should utilize your UK playing cards with out a downside.
Parking in Eire
Many locations which permit parking in the course of the day or evening require cost. Normally you should pay on the ticket machine show your parking ticket within the windscreen. Not doing that is more likely to end in a effective.
Parking is prohibited when the highway 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 might be tough- many locations have peak limitations 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 might be troublesome. Alternatively, park up or use a campsite close by and use public transport to get in.
Getting LPG in Eire
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 will discover 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 part. 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 just taken in giant shops (typically not at gasoline stations)
Timezone– GMT (or the identical as Britain) Eire follows Britain when it comes to shifting forwards or backwards for summer season
Cell Cellphone and Web – It’s best to have the ability to use your UK cell and information with none problem in Eire. If unsure, 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 at all times appreciated (and may get you entry to some hidden whiskies!) Suggestions 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 outlets, particularly in Northern Eire. Tesco and Lidl are frequent.
The Republic of Eire is staunchly Catholic and you could discover many outlets closed on Sundays and non secular days. A few of the bigger supermarkets and garages could also be open for just a few hours. Most outlets shut between 5pm-7pm in the course of the week- supermarkets could also be open as late as 10pm.
Northern Eire follows the UK, so outlets are sometimes open 10-4pm on Sundays and shut between 5pm-7pm in the course of 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. Automobile break-ins do occur, as do petty theft and pickpocketing.
We extremely suggest paying further consideration to your motorhome safety when travelling in Eire. You may even want to match an further camper habitation door lock and by no means depart your car unattended in an unsecure space.
READ MORE: Important ideas for safeguarding 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 help you sit exterior.
You could 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 season they’re banned.
Having stated 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 definately’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 principles for getting into Eire with a canine have modified.
To ensure that your canine to journey into Eire, you have to:
- 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 accepted vet. (Notice: 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 probably the most up-to-date info, test the Deara web site
Utilizing a Drone in Eire
You should utilize a drone in Eire, however there are specific issues you should 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 should register right here (except your drone weighs lower than 250g!) If you don’t try this, you have to not fly larger than 15 meters.
Drones and comparable remote-controlled flying gadgets have to be saved not less than a minimal 30m from individuals, autos and buildings that aren’t linked 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 at all times stay inside the sight of the operator.
Please test for native rules and army or different particular restricted areas the place all of the aforementioned actions are forbidden by regulation.
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