It's a big anniversary for me and MrsRTB this year. We are considering a few options to mark the occasion, one of which is to visit Ireland in our campervan and to tour around a little bit. Maybe 2 weeks. We'll be travelling from Peterborough, so probably a ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare, and Dublin is definitely on her bucket list. I think we'd also like to experience some traditional Irish culture - rural pubs, live music, food, landscapes etc.
What places should we factor in? What should we avoid, or at least just not squeeze in because there are places that can tick off a number of things in one go?
Comments
If you can get as far as West Cork or County Kerry, then the ring of Kerry is a must. Killarney, Kinsale, Clonakilty other options.
Connemara also, but all depends on on weather as well.
Dublin is fine, but expensive, and for someone from England, might just seem like another regional British city.
Other shouts for Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, Doolin, Wicklow mountains etc.
I could recommend some pubs etc depending on what towns you pick. Dingle in Kerry has some fine pubs.
What month are you planning on visiting?
Great info so far, thank you.
Quite a few blogs and vlogs about doing this. Wandering Bird's suggested places from her Irish tour:
Cliffs of Moher
Wild Atlantic Way
Giants Causeway
Dark Hedges Road (Game of Thrones)
Dublin
Ring of Kerry
Rock of Cashel (apparently Ireland's number one tourist rock)
Blarney Castle
Dunmore Head (most Westerly point)
Torc waterfall
Wild/off grid camping is illegal in Ireland. Does seem to be tolerated, even encouraged ,in some places and not in others, 3am knock on the door from the garda telling you to show your papers and move on not unknown apparently. As well as campsites there are pub stops and Safe Nights Ireland (although I can't get their website to work so I'm assuming it's still operable) which seems to be similar to Brit Stops or French Passions.
In addition I'd include:
the whole Dingle peninsula,
Cork,
Clifden,
Bundoran,
Ballyshannon (if you like Rory Gallagher)
Donegal coastline and across Antrim coastline
Lough Neagh
or just work with the weather, the open roads and make it up as you go ... it'll not disappoint.
Whatever you choose to do it'll be memorable ... savour it
https://fleadhcheoil.ie/ (Trad music festival/competition in August)
Also, as mentioned, the Rory Gallagher festival, if you are into your blues. If you stop in Limerick city, some pubs to recommend would be Dolans, Myles Breen, The Glen Tavern.
Kilkenny city also has some nice little pubs, and isn't a million miles from Rosslare either.
I find Ireland bloody expensive though. Lots of gouging going on with accommodation etc.
I advise Dublin is not very interesting, I'd say Manchester and Liverpool were more interesting.
Galway is my favourite.
I haven't been to Cork though, that's popular too.
Aran islands are great on Halloween
great food almost everywhere