Planning to go to Eire with a motorhome or campervan? Wish to get some suggestions for locations to go to, the place to remain, routes to take and extra? Right here’s all the things you have to find out about motorhoming or campervanning in Eire.
Don’t overlook to obtain your FREE motorhome journey guidelines beneath 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 seashore within the Republic of Eire. Positive, it’s wet, however that’s not detracting from the great thing about this nation. It’s not known as the Emerald Isle for nothing!
Put easy, Eire is an attractive place for a highway journey. There’s a lot historical past, lovely roads and locations to discover and loads of hospitable locations to seek 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 when you have your personal vehicle- whether or not that’s a motorhome or campervan (our most well-liked choices), or a automotive, caravan and even motorcycle.
Probably the greatest issues about with the ability to discover Eire on a motorhoming vacation is which you could see the variations between the areas and actually get a really feel for the nation in a brief area of time. It could possibly 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 areas.
On this information, we’re going to share with you all the things 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, alternate options or wild tenting together with your camper), some highway journey concepts and locations to go to, driving suggestions 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 show you how to plan and organise all the things you want.
Motorhoming in Eire- When to go
Like many of the UK, one of the best 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 known as the ‘Emerald Isle’ as a result of it’s so inexperienced… and it’s inexperienced as a result of it rains. So much. Anticipate rain at any time of the 12 months (but one more reason to be glad of your personal car… you possibly can cover inside if the climate turns!) In fact, there are some sunny days as properly, and also you’re almost definitely to get these throughout the summer season.
July and August are the primary college holidays, so all the things will likely be lots busier then AND costs for all the things will likely be higher- ferries, campsites and even some attraction charges.
Different main occasions in Eire embrace the Rugby Six nations initially of the 12 months (which is especially centred on Dublin), The Gathering- a standard dancing and music pageant held every February in Kilkenny and St Patricks Day on seventeenth March every year- your complete nation celebrates it with a ardour (celebrations usually final per week!)
There’s additionally the Galway Meals Pageant 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 ‘dangerous’ time to go to Eire. If you happen to’re in a position to journey outdoors of faculty 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 youngsters and I’ve spent many St Patrick’s Days there- I can’t appear to recollect a lot of them in any respect… ?)
Highlights of an Eire campervanning vacation
A few of the finest 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 Recreation of Thrones filming location. You may drive down it, however not in a motorhome!
- Dublin- one among our favorite cities in Europe
- The Ring of Kerry- one of many finest highway 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 finest waterfalls in Europe
Speaking of TV reveals and films, listed here are a number of the largest which had 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 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 unbelievable areas and locations to go to in Eire- we will’t probably checklist all of them.
If you happen to get pleasure from 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 1000’s of different small islands.) There’s a superb 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 once extremely easy- it’s now slightly 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 often called Britain!), if you wish to take your personal motorhome or campervan throughout to Eire, you’ll have to get on a ferry. There are a number 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 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 3 times per 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 speak extra in regards to the guidelines, pace 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? If you happen to want any equipment or necessities for motorhoming in Europe, right here’s what we suggest and the place to seek 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 simplest choice is to fly in to Eire and hire a motorhome or campervan to make use of throughout your keep. Simply be certain to ask find out how to get from the airport to the rental agency- not all of them are on the airport itself and also you may have to guide a taxi.
The largest 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 will need to:
- be at the least 21 years outdated, 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 properly
- have had a driving licence for a couple of 12 months
- present identification (identification card for EU residents or a legitimate passport for different nationalities)
You may anticipate to pay round £100/ day for a campervan in June out of peak season- make sure to ask the correct questions so you already know what to anticipate out of your motorhome or campervan rental
Keep in mind that you simply may have to pay an extra price to drive from the Republic of Eire into Northern Eire (or vice versa) so examine together with your rent firm earlier than you guide.
Don’t overlook, it’s YOUR accountability to verify the car has the required security gear. The on-the-spot fines apply to you as the motive force, not the corporate. Verify upfront with the corporate what equipment they may present with the car and what you’ll need to deliver.
Take a listing of what’s legally required with you and examine it off one after the other as you might be given the handover. Don’t drive till you might be completely satisfied 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, in contrast to 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 suggest them anyway.) There are:
- UK sticker hooked up to the again of car or reg plates (and trailer when you have one)
- A spare wheel (and instruments to alter it!), or a tyre restore equipment.
- If you happen to put on glasses you MUST carry a spare pair
- Crash helmets are necessary for motorcycle/ moped riders and passengers
NOTE: Hello-vis reflective jackets ,Warning triangles and Headlight beam converters (when you have a UK car) are usually not required in Eire. When you’ve got a European car (ie- you usually drive on the correct), you’ll need headlight converters.
What paperwork do you have to highway journey in Eire?
If you happen to’re driving in Eire, you have to carry the next paperwork:
- Passport (or identification card)
- Driving licence (examine it’s in date!)
- Motorhome Insurance coverage documents- examine you might be coated for driving in Europe
- Breakdown cowl
- Car V5 logbook (which should present your appropriate deal with)
- 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 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 when you have:
- a paper driving licence solely
- a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
(If you happen to do want an IDP, right here’s an in-depth information on find out how to get an Worldwide Driving Allow and which one(s) you want from a UK submit 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 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 international locations in Europe, there are a number of kinds of locations the place you possibly can cease together with your motorhome or campervan in a single day in Eire.
- Campsites
- Free/ accepted motorhome parking schemes
- Wild Tenting (we’ll speak extra in regards to 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 in case you’re a member of membership or have a guide!
You usually don’t have to guide upfront except you’re visiting in peak season or throughout a pageant (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 guide by way of their programs.
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: If you happen to 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 manner you is perhaps 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 manner 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 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 areas round Northern and Southern Eire. You may be a part of the scheme for simply 15€ a 12 months and get entry to any locations that are a part of the scheme.
Pub In a single day Stops in Eire
Pubs are an ideal choice for a free in a single day parking cease in case you’re already going to eat at them. A lot 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 have the ability to keep there for per 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 wherever 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 barely 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 transferring on once more within the morning. No awnings, outside furnishings, BBQs, motorhome mills, washing strains or something OUTSIDE the car. In lots of distant locations, in case you arrive late within the afternoon and go away early-ish within the morning, you’ll be completely superb to remain in a single day, except there’s a transparent signal banning motorhomes or campers in a single day.
For tips about find out how 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 special matter, and is forbidden in Eire. You’ll in all probability be requested to maneuver on and/ or fined by the Police in case you seem like you might be tenting together with your van.
Keep in mind, you possibly can all the time ask in case you’re allowed to remain. The Irish are extremely hospitable and in case you’re well mannered and respectful, they’re very prone to will let you keep with out difficulty (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
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 will let you pay a small price and use the companies with out paying for an in a single day stop- you’l must ask as you go.
Driving suggestions for Eire
Some helpful suggestions for driving in Eire, no matter your car. Eire has a reasonably good highway community, particularly across the main cities and cities. Nonetheless, a number of the smaller rural roads might be VERY slender and lots of are marked as unsuitable for bigger autos, like motorhomes.
Usually, these small roads are single observe, and have passing locations. These are locations to drag in to let one other car go previous from the opposite course, NOT someplace to park up and go for a stroll.
Additionally, anticipate slow-moving farm autos on these roads- it might 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 someday. Additionally, anticipate 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 other to most of Europe)
- Keep to the left on roads with a couple of lane and overtake on the correct.
- At roundabouts and junctions, visitors already on the highway and coming from the correct has precedence.
- Motorways are marked with an ‘M’
- Seatbelts are obligatory for entrance and rear passengers
- All youngsters as much as 135 cms in top 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 pace 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). If you happen to change the settings in your motorhome sat-nav, bear in mind to alter it in case you cross the border!
Breaking the pace restrict in both Northern or Southern Eire will lead to a hard and fast penalty and/ or penalty factors in your driving licence.
On the spot fines are uncommon, however it’s doable to be pulled over by the police drive for rushing and given a hard and fast penalty discover and/ or plus a £100 superb.
Republic of IRELAND
Pace Limits for autos underneath 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 pace cameras in Eire. The cell ones are largely 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. In case you are a brand new or an expert 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 perhaps used to in France (and by chance 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 number of however not all). Alternatively, you possibly can join a TollTag account and that can cost you as you drive.
The one highway the place you can not 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.
In case you are renting a car, you’ll need to ask them find out how to 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 in every single place, 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 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. (Go away your automotive 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 Specific. You should utilize your UK playing cards with no downside.
Parking in Eire
Many locations which permit parking throughout the day or evening require cost. Normally you have to pay on the ticket machine show your parking ticket within the windscreen. Not doing that is prone to lead to a superb.
Parking is prohibited when the highway is marked with a crimson line or a double yellow line.
An obstacle of a campervan in Eire is that parking in cities and cities might be tough- many locations have top limitations of round 2.5m (and most vans and motorhomes are taller than that!) Subsequently, you would wish to seek out on-street parking within the city, which might be tough. 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, it’s possible you’ll want to attend for an attendant to show the system on for you.
You could 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 suggestions that will help you get pleasure from your time touring in Eire.
Emergency Numbers: 112 will get you all the things. 999 works as properly.
Language– Irish Gaelic and English
Foreign money– 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 Specific is simply taken in giant 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
Cell Telephone and Web – You must have the ability to use your UK cell and information with none difficulty in Eire. If doubtful, examine together 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!) Suggestions for cab drivers and different companies are additionally appreciated.
Retailers– Neither Northern Eire or the Republic of Eire are significantly costly when it comes to meals or goods- it’s about on par with the remainder of the UK and also you’ll see most of the identical retailers, particularly in Northern Eire. Tesco and Lidl are widespread.
The Republic of Eire is staunchly Catholic and it’s possible you’ll discover many retailers closed on Sundays and spiritual days. A few of the bigger supermarkets and garages could also be open for a number 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 go away your car unattended in an unsecure space.
READ MORE: Important suggestions for safeguarding your van at residence and on the highway
Touring Eire with a canine
Sadly, each Northern and the Republic of Eire are usually not significantly dog-friendly, though some areas are higher than others. Most locations don’t enable canine into eating places, cafes or pubs, though they do will let you sit outdoors.
You is perhaps allowed to take them on a practice, 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 don’t have any downside together 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 will need to wait 21 days earlier than journey)
- An Animal Well being Certificates (or Pet Passport for European pets)
- A Tapeworm remedy, administered 1-5 days earlier than journey by an accepted vet. (Be aware: 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 data, examine the Deara web site
Utilizing a Drone in Eire
You should utilize a drone in Eire, however there are specific issues you have to 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 you have to register right here (except your drone weighs lower than 250g!) If you don’t do this, you will need to not fly increased than 15 meters.
Drones and comparable remote-controlled flying units should be stored at the least a minimal 30m from folks, autos and buildings that aren’t linked with the drone operator. Flying should occur in daylight solely, beneath 120m and by no means fly nearer than 5km to airports. The drone should all the time stay throughout the sight of the operator.
Please examine for native laws and army or different particular restricted areas the place all of the aforementioned actions are forbidden by regulation.
Final replace on 2025-04-02 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API
