tutisbear

If someone could please help me... =) we are traveling to Ireland this July and my husband saw the camp vans for two to drive around and see as much as we can. Is it safe? How are the campgrounds in Ireland? Is it better to see around? How about permits to park or other laws that we should know about? thank you!!!

hetismij2

I haven't yet been to Ireland in my camper, but there are plenty of people who do go. Yes it is safe. Don't hire too big a van though as the roads are narrow and a very long camper would be a liability.

You can see a lot of places to stay with your camper by going to www.campercontact.com and choosing Ireland from the list. There are over 100 campsites and special camper places listed, with reviews for many of them, and a list of the prices and facilities available. You are also allowed to wild camp, with permission of the landowner, or in a layby for no no more that 24hours, but with so many campsites and special camper places you probably won't need to.
Britstops, (www.Britstops.com) now also covers Ireland, and offers addresses of pubs, farms and th like where you can stay for fee. You have to buy the book to get the addresses though.
There is also a forum aimed at campers/motorhomers in Ireland http://www.motorhomecraic.com/.

There are a couple of Fodor's member who live in Ireland and may be able to help you further.

Tony2phones

My first advice should you decide the tin snail route is the Craic site given above. You can also see safenights Ireland which has a list for over nights @ €10 per night but has a €15 joining fee.

Decide whether you want to do a camper or Car + B&B option. The finances involved based on the facts that a modern camper might do 5 miles per € compaired to a car that will do 7+ miles per €. B&B accommodation is typically €35 per person per night. and includes breakfast.

As to driving a camper? I doubt you will be renting a beast like my old Renault Master LWB so you shouldn't have any problems, there are very few roads I think twice about driving. Parking, now that can be another animal round towns as you are touring.

Decide what you want to see and do as a standard itinerary and if you want to go the camper option then you can get good more specialised advice.

hetismij2

My Ford Transit camper does between 10 and 12km/l, the lower figure being lots of motorway work, the higher mostly country roads. I don't now what a litre of diesel costs in Ireland at the moment.
Travelling in a camper gives a very different holiday to car and B&B, and as well as the costs involved you have to consider the fact that you can't always easily park, no matter how small the van. Unless you have bikes, are prepared to walk a lot, or are near a bus stop you can't decide to stay a couple nights somewhere and go off an explore during the day - you almost certainly would lose your pitch if you are away with your camper during the day unless you have a means of marking it, which most hired campers don't.
That said you have great freedom (assuming you have an onboard bathroom) and it is very sociable and fun!

Thanks for the Safenights Ireland info Tony, I have bookmarked it for future trip to Ireland.

Tony2phones

I think Diesel is about €1.15(ish)/ltr locally at the moment so a little cheaper than the UK General parking isn't that bad really outside of town centres and there are a number of decent stop overs available.
Motorhome Craic has a map available to members and is a good community for a low membership fee well worth joining if you plan more than a week over here.

hetismij2 message me before you book the ferry, FB or TA.

tutisbear

Thank you so much everybody!!! very helpful =)