Thinking of a trip to Ireland

G1969 said:
As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.
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Done Ireland for many years on motorcycle club trips to race meetings,
always loved the scenery the guinness, the Bushmills, and the people.
now motorhoming more than biking, and have been over a few times, and loved it,
our last trip arrived in Rosslare and turned right, and kept hugging the coast line
we did a total circumnavigation of Ireland (took three weeks),
are planning to do the same again, this time probably travelling clockwise.
If you have only two weeks follow this suggestion,
and just cut across country, from wherever you have got to, to catch your return ferry.
you.ll be so impressed,then next trip over, just pick up you circumnavigation
from where you left off this year, and continue your adventure
good luck take your time and enjoy
 
Yorkshirehead said:
Taking a dog? Please be aware that dogs are not allowed on buses (June 2024) or in most pubs. Some let you take dogs into the garden. Other than that a great place to visit. I would recommend the Skibereen Heritage Centre for very moving details of the famine. Stay at Hideaway Caravan site, which is an easy flat walk into town.
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But other than that it's dog friendly 😂
 
A very beautiful country with some fantastic friendly people and amazing views and history . We went over quite a few years ago had a fantastic time hopefully back for a few days soon to meet some people we know.

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The Waterford crystal factory and visitor centre is worth a visit if nearby. Nowhere as good as it used to be when they did a proper factory tour, but they stopped those for H&S reasons some years back. Trouble is that there are so many places to see especially down the west coast. It's worth calling into tourist offices where-ever you find yourself as they are extremely helpful.
 
It also says they are thinking of going so I answered that part of the post as far as which route is best is depends where they are starting from. I live in the South West so Fishguard or Pembroke Dock - we have used both but I would not consider Holy head unless I was planning on visiting Northern Ireland only !
 
Figaro said:
Donegal is beautful, I loved the coast there. Well all of the WAW is beautful and well worth exploring.
Don't forget the Causeway coast Antrim NI
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Agree with that. Go see the Bushmills distillery, assuming it's open this time of year.

If you fish, the Fermanagh Lakelands are nice as well!
 
G1969 said:
As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.
Click to expand...
Ireland is like a saucer - though it’s all lovely the most interesting bits tend to be around the edges. The people are lovely too - I would suggest for your 1st trip you mooch south around the coast then head straight across to Dublin or Rosslare for the ferry home. Best advice is don’t try & do too much. You’re sure to want to go again! Have a lovely time.

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G1969 said:
As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.
Click to expand...
We have done Ireland many times, if you want visitors sites then buy a book, if you want to see Ireland, use “visit Ireland.com”, and wander around. There are too many places to list, it took us 4 months to do it all, then we went back a further twice and re did the bits we loved.
 
I don’t think I have met friendlier people anywhere in the world.
We pulled into a little harbour on the Beara Penninsular for one night and stayed a week.
They had free toilets and showers and a water supply. They just had a box for donations.
The locals told us not to worry and stay as long as we like as it really was not a problem.
We had vegetables given to us from their gardens,another lady baked us a box of brownies and the locals who went boat fishing in their own boats gave us fresh fish every day.
My wife Paddleboarder swam with the local ladies every day.
Talk about restore your faith in people.
 
I would attempt to do as much of the coast as you can, Belfast, NE coastal route, Bushmills and Giants Causeway, Donegal, Clare (Lisdoonvarna Burren and Cliffs of Mohr), Dingle and Ring of Kerry, Cork , Waterford, Wexford. Mind you we took about a month so I would start by going North and see how far you get, and return next year if you have time. It will be a trip to remember I promise you. I would suggest that a large Motorhome might be difficult on some of the narrow coast roads however.

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Spent many weeks in Ireland over the years on surf trips. Also done Dublin.
Great peaple
Great Guinness
Great scenery
Great craic
 
Not sure if it will be this coming year or next but will definitely be returning to Eire. Probably spend most of my time in the West and North West areas from Connemara, County Mayo Found the country to be much more wild, rugged and isolated out there, sometimes there weren't even sheep ;) Such a great place to chill out with the Guinness (which does somehow taste different over there) a real bonus.

Ferry costs are at times extortionate. Scottish route into Belfast is quickest, but only sensible if you are already up north UK. Pembrokeshire to Rosslare is a long crossing, but not quite long enough overnight for the cabin cost to really make financial sense, and roads on the Eire side whilst rarely dual carriageway do flow quite well. Dublin routes need you to miss the motorway tolls.
 
Don’t come. It is much too busy 😁
2pm in the afternoon in July.

IMG_8255.webp
 
G1969 said:
As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.
Click to expand...
Get of the ferry and turn left down the east coast and carry on along the wild Atlantic coast up to Sligo or Mallon head and back across the north coast back to Dublin or larne
 
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Attila the Hen said:
Ireland is like a saucer - though it’s all lovely the most interesting bits tend to be around the edges. The people are lovely too - I would suggest for your 1st trip you mooch south around the coast then head straight across to Dublin or Rosslare for the ferry home. Best advice is don’t try & do too much. You’re sure to want to go again! Have a lovely time.
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There's a crack down the middle of your saucer - follow the Shannon/Erne waterway.

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It's a pity Seatruk are no longer taking motorhomes. I think the business was sold. It was our preferred route from Heysham and into Dublin.
 
G1969 said:
As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.
Click to expand...
Avoid Galway as parking even on the sea front will get you a fine and there’s not many sites near it.that was the worse place in Ireland 🇮🇪 for motorhomes ,everywhere else was fine and I did 5 weeks all round the coastline the only thing that’s quite expensive is drinks in the pubs in certain areas,everything else is about on par with England
 
Go!
The only things difficult about Ireland are emptying your bin and leaving..
Fantastic people and scenery.
 
G1969 said:
As title says, we're thinking of our first trip to Ireland in September. Probably ferry Holyhead- Dublin, then ? , for two weeks, where would you recommend.
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Ring of Kerry won't be disappointed..or Wicklow just close to Dublin

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gpat said:
Continental Europe 👍
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We never made any stupid decisions to leave.......ahem??
Everyone is welcome to visit our country. You won't be disappointed and sterling makes it even better value. Come with an empty tank and go home with a full one!
Go around by the coast clockwise or anticlockwise and if you run out of time you can always go cross country to the ferry for home. Just remember where you left off for the return trip. ha ha
 
G10 said:
If you including Northern Island and have a current National Trust membership remember to take it with you as most of the costal car parks are owned by them
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Are you taking a dog?
If so do cairnryan to larne no pet passport needed
 
For anyone travelling via Northern Ireland to avoid the need for a pet passport or AHC, please note that the rules will be changing from 4th June 2025.

www.gov.uk

Northern Ireland pet travel scheme

A new scheme for people taking their pet dog (or assistance dog), cat or ferret from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will be launched on 4 June 2025.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

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