Should we go to Ireland next year?

[Lenny HB]

It is a fair bit more expensive than the UK but it's not too horrendous. Alcohol is a bit dearer & they sting you on ½ pints. Fish & chips & restaurants are expensive. Quite a few Lidl's to help keep the price down, I remember a packet of Hobnobs in Tesco was twice the UK price.
Also not many places to fill up with LPG.

 

[Bonkers the Dog]

I thought the campsites were pricey, and not of the general quality here in the UK. The Guinness was very expensive, eating out was slightly more than here, of course the tolls I alluded to earlier, I was travelling with my kids and getting into visitor attractions could be pretty high, but yes, that can be relative as I just spent 3 days in Edinburgh. The Christmas market in PSG is outrageously expensive, nothing more than a large machine to relieve people of their hard earned; it all left a rather sour taste in the mouth to be honest.

 

[Robert Clark]

How about Norway?

 

[Paddywack]

It is a fair bit more expensive than the UK but it's not too horrendous. Alcohol is a bit dearer & they sting you on ½ pints. Fish & chips & restaurants are expensive. Quite a few Lidl's to help keep the price down, I remember a packet of Hobnobs in Tesco was twice the UK price.
Also not many places to fill up with LPG.

What is a "1/2 pint"?

 

[jumar]

Just found this video......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzLZYCCQEzQ

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Southdowners]

Interesting postings.....we think further planning is called for, to get this trip going...found the points regarding Ireland being expensive of interest...but just how costly is it?...we have spent the past 3 summers in Norway, Sweden and Denmark...we found these trips to be expensive but we expected this before arriving and .intend returning someday

After Norway anywhere is cheap!

 

[andy63]

you just need to do it.. nothing much to add to comments already made.. visit the tourist information offices .. they have a superb range of booklets ..
some photos ... and enjoy if you do it..
Andy

downpatrick head

mizen head

donegal harbour (overnighting available)

donkeys at ballyvaughn harbour

the burren landscape Co Clare.

obriens tower on the cliffs of moher

could go on for ages but ill end with a pint of the black stuff from farrens bar on Malin head..

CHEERS.

 

[romany]

The people are amazing the pubs and folk music is fantastic the countryside is Cornwall the moors ,lake district and Scotland all rolled in to one, its one of those countries that makes you go wow every time you come round a corner, Drawbacks are sunbathing sheep in middle of road usually round a blind corner We went in middle September so missed the mad tourist season its still busy but not cram packed like July august oh and many of the roads give you a real fairground ride

 

[romany]

Worked there a lot some time ago, Belfast,Dublin, Cork, Tuam and many others. Can't think of one good reason to go back. Very expensive ferry crossing and all that talk about about Guiness even the Irish brewers thought the best was brewed in England and it was.

I would disagree on the Guinness though to be fair i prefer Murphy's stout

 

[Lot lover]

When someone builds a bridge or a tunnel we will go. I know I could take our MH on a plane but my pocket money won't allow it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Puddleduck]

Just go ........ we went a couple of years ago taking the Seatruk freight ferry from Heysham (no dogs allowed and you have to be mobile enough to climb quite a few steep stairs to the driver's deck).

We did some family history research, lots of cycling and not enough kayaking.

Everyone really friendly but I liked Eire better than NI.

I would go again

Also lots of provision for coeliac / gluten free in Ireland.

For us (apart from spending time with andy63 the absolute highlight of the trip) the best bits were Achill Island and The Great Western Greenway Cycle Route - which we did both ways. There are also cycle routes along the south coast and a fantastic aire in Cobh. Cobh has a railway station so you can park up in the aire for as long as is allowed then use the train to get into Cork or further afield. I didn't think much of the aire at Ashkeaton - we parked up and then had "visitors" so we moved on to a Britstop.

Anyone interested in heritage trains should go to Listowel to see the monorail. Another reason to go back. Also the Flying Boat Museum would be worth a second visit...... just so much that we enjoyed.


SeaTruk is a long crossing and the times aren't great but the ships are huge and stable. You get a cabin and meals included in the fare. The Driver's Lounge has TV, DVD etc etc and we took a couple of board games with us. The cabins are singles or bunks - you can request either. I just regarded the crossing as part of the holiday. There is a large P&R just off the M6 Heysham junction and we parked up there until it was time to get to the docks. On the way back we spent the rest of the night there before going home. It is actually quicker and easier for us to get to Heysham than to Cairnryan.

 

[Clive Beeza]

Ok we are fortunate to live only an hour or so from the ports of Fishguard and Pembroke Dock,
and this year (mid May) so the midges were still on their away leave,
booked the ferry with an open return sailing date (only £10 extra)
and arrived in Rosslare early morning, drove to the cliff above the port,parked up, has an hours kip, topped up with breakfast and set off, with no plan set in stone as to where we were going to go,
got to Wexford and hung a right, and after that, we literally hugged the coast line for the next 4 weeks, mooching along quietly, absorbing the scenery, the villages,the harbours, the atmosphere and the warmth of the people,
we ended doing a lap of the whole of the coastline of Ireland, hence the 4 weeks,
DO NOT rush it,it is to be enjoyed at leisure, like their Guinness, and you really need to savour a 16 year old, single malt Bushmills, and a Jamesons Red Breast single malt,
It is far better than any description can do justice to
When you get back write on here, to tell us how you regret not having gone before
Enjoy the Trip as I know you will

 

[Graydo]

DO NOT rush it,it is to be enjoyed at leisure, like their Guinness, and you really need to savour a 16 year old

Bloody hell
Are you related to Prince Andrew?

Graydo

 

[44658]

Have been to the south, especially around Cork, Clonakilty and Donegal Bay over 8 times. Stunning scenery and very friendly. Every pub had a music night, ( back in the early 20's) not so much now. Forget the Guiness, Murphy's and Beamish much better. Last visit, toured Northern Ireland, even better than the South, Giants Causeway was disappointing as was Belfast Castle. But the roads and views match anywhere in the UK. Caution; if you drink Spirits expect to pay about 32-35 euro, wine also double UK prices, so stock up in Aldi in the North before crossing the border. If you're of a certain age and most of us are retired, the radio channels are nearly all Country Music / Folk rather than modern pop trash.
Buy good maps and a decent guide book. Camp sites are few, so travel outside of the school holidays. Last tip, avoid built up areas for over nighting, was broken into in Dublin. Think travellers and opportunist thieves, rather than the French Motorway aires. If in any doubt seek advice from the Guarde Police, like our Police used to be, friendly and more crime preventive in attitude.
Sorry, really last tip, buy a Tricolor sticker for the back of the van, gives doubt that you may have rellies or a partner ( like me ) who is Irish. Still won't stop the Traveller type as they will screw anyone over.

English living in tn Great Britain on the continent of Europe, which politically does not make me European, just geography.

 

[TerryL]

The picture of Donegal harbour reminded me that when we were there it was jam-packed full of "travellers", something the locals weren't too happy about. We stayed instead at a private aire a couple of kilometres outside town; the owner happily took us into town in his car and did a mini tour, pointing out the best bits i.e. pubs and restaurants.

Actually that was the only time we paid for an overnight stop!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumar]

Just go ........ we went a couple of years ago taking the Seatruk freight ferry from Heysham (no dogs allowed and you have to be mobile enough to climb quite a few steep stairs to the driver's deck).

We did some family history research, lots of cycling and not enough kayaking.

Everyone really friendly but I liked Eire better than NI.

I would go again

Also lots of provision for coeliac / gluten free in Ireland.

For us (apart from spending time with andy63 the absolute highlight of the trip) the best bits were Achill Island and The Great Western Greenway Cycle Route - which we did both ways. There are also cycle routes along the south coast and a fantastic aire in Cobh. Cobh has a railway station so you can park up in the aire for as long as is allowed then use the train to get into Cork or further afield. I didn't think much of the aire at Ashkeaton - we parked up and then had "visitors" so we moved on to a Britstop.

Anyone interested in heritage trains should go to Listowel to see the monorail. Another reason to go back. Also the Flying Boat Museum would be worth a second visit...... just so much that we enjoyed.


SeaTruk is a long crossing and the times aren't great but the ships are huge and stable. You get a cabin and meals included in the fare. The Driver's Lounge has TV, DVD etc etc and we took a couple of board games with us. The cabins are singles or bunks - you can request either. I just regarded the crossing as part of the holiday. There is a large P&R just off the M6 Heysham junction and we parked up there until it was time to get to the docks. On the way back we spent the rest of the night there before going home. It is actually quicker and easier for us to get to Heysham than to Cairnryan.

Great postings...thanks....lots of our type of things to do....not bothered about cost of ferries....used loads of Scandinavian crossings over the last 3 years...we just need to get our wheels across water....no other option....

 

[Pikeman]

Hi Martin,
Hope you and the fair lady Judith are well.
Never taken a motorhome to Ireland, but when younger, did numerous trips by car. Funny, we were only talking about going across in the van a week ago. "Possible plan for next summer"
Oh and bye the way.........some of the best fishing in Europe!!!!

Keith

 

[jumartoo]

"Possible plan for next summer"

???

Will pack a few extra bottles boxes just in case!!!

 

[JonHG]

Would echo TerryL's comments, we went to do the Wild Atlantic Way but only got halfway round in 3 weeks, still planning to go and finish it! If you like a bit of wild camping and spectacular scenery its well worth it. We had planned for the usual Irish weather (as you must) but had sunny dry weather throughout. `Some of the roads are may not be for the faint hearted or big A classes but there are plenty of shortcuts to avoid some if necessary. Apart from the ferries we found it no more expensive than France these days.

 

[Bigjohneaton]

We are going for a week in August as we have booked ferry from Cork to Santander couldnt get pet cabin for outward trip and irish ferries let you use tesco vouchers so £50 gives you £150 and holyhead is an easy drive for us seems a reasonable amount of aires and places with harrbour facilities maybe see some of you there or Spain

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Rapphil]

We are going for a week in August as we have booked ferry from Cork to Santander couldnt get pet cabin for outward trip and irish ferries let you use tesco vouchers so £50 gives you £150 and holyhead is an easy drive for us seems a reasonable amount of aires and places with harrbour facilities maybe see some of you there or Spain

Love Ireland and the people are so friendly but don’t find it the most dog friendly country and don’t even think about asking to take your pet into a pub!

 

[myhymer]

Went to Ireland for the first time this year.
Thought it was fantastic friendly people and very motorhome friendly.
You must go to see for yourself.

 

[Puddleduck]

`Some of the roads are may not be for the faint hearted

Looking at the map we saw there was a road through the hills that cut 40 miles off the journey and looked like the scenery would be better than the "good" road, a bus was going that way and if a bus can get through so can we I said.

Anyway about half way along the road was a very pretty village, the bus stopped, reversed into a driveway and went back to way it had come.......... The road looked like it narrowed but the surface was okay so we decided to keep going. After 2km of declining width and surface and nowhere to turn the van the road got better again and opened up to a lovely valley with loads of wild camping spots just off the road (probably the old road left when the road had been improved). If we hadn't been booked to be somewhere that night we would have pitched up. We still laugh about the bus turning round lol.

The "L" roads can mean "Why the L did I turn up here?" The N roads are of a really good standard and the R roads usually okay.

Some of the bridges have tolls but it isn't much.

The motorway round Dublin has a toll you need to pay in advance or within (maybe) 24 hours. I paid at the service station but check they have the correct registration number on your ticket.

There is also a toll on the dock tunnel but we didn't use that so can't give you information about it.

When we go back we will make sure we have a plan of what to do as there isn't time to do everything. We will take bikes and kayaks and I'd like to go to Achill Island again. Also kayaking the Shannon or doing one of the canoe trails in NI would be fun. I'd also like to complete the Southern Greenway by cycle.

 

[44658]

Re Donegal Bay, I ment to say Dingle Bay, the home of Fungi, the Dolphin that has been swimming in the Bay for over 20 years.
The road signs can be fun, as in 'Give Way', they use 'Yield'. Coming out of Clonakilty heading North came to a T junction, the sign to the left said ( can't remember the town, so will say "Skibereen" This sign said 10KM, the sign to the right said Skibereen 6 miles. Great sense of humour in that Parish Council. Cork to Dingle coast road is well worth the run.

 

[Puddleduck]

Also the signs that say "Slow" and then "Slower". In one place there was "Even slower than that" added by someone!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Neodave]

As said by many a great place to go. We have been 3 times twice with a caravan, expensive, and the last in our camper van. We spent 2.5 months on the Wild Atlantic Way and visiting every County (gathering geocaches). Mostly wild camped in peace except North of Dublin East Coast where we got banged one night and got a nice dent on another. We did get warned of this by an Irish M/H er. Should have taken notice. Would still go back again despite that.

 

[Puddleduck]

As said by many a great place to go. We have been 3 times twice with a caravan, expensive, and the last in our camper van. We spent 2.5 months on the Wild Atlantic Way and visiting every County (gathering geocaches). Mostly wild camped in peace except North of Dublin East Coast where we got banged one night and got a nice dent on another. We did get warned of this by an Irish M/H er. Should have taken notice. Would still go back again despite that.

Both north and south of Dublin we found difficult finding anywhere we were welcome. Everywhere else was wonderful!

One phrase from a campsite owner that made me chuckle.....

"I'm always in the office except when I'm not"

also many places it is cash only.

 

[andy63]

Both north and south of Dublin we found difficult finding anywhere we were welcome. Everywhere else was wonderful!

I overnighted just north of Dublin on my way north on one of my trips..
Had driven up from kinsale and was knackered.. Pulled in at Rush on the sea front to be met by no overnighting signs..
The garda were also in attendance..soi asked them if there was anywhere suitable...
Next thing I know I'm getting a police escort up the road to Skerries..where they said they see loads of vans pulled in..
They gave me the low down on places to eat before leaving ....
Great service???
Andy.

 

[PhilMary]

Just a note, I forgot to mention, the campsite at Salthill, West side of Galway is no prebooking, cash only, only arrive when the office is open, locked gates at all times.
The owner did tell me on one occasion, the reason he operates like this is he could judge who was stopping on his site before he let them in. This would have been in the early two thousands, 2005 ish, at the time we thought it was a anti-gypsie method, as there use to be lots of troublesome 'travellers". The new laws solved that problem by exporting to the UK.
Phil

 

[Wully]

Check out Nutt Travel in Colraine for ferries - always find them super competitive on price and their customer service is second to none.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}