Why Ireland Is A Great Campervan Holiday Destination
Do you want to get off the beaten track and enjoy a holiday like no other?
A road trip is a perfect way to do this. You can drive at your own pace, stop and see the sites and, best of all, you’ll have your home with you should you need to stop and make a quick cup of tea! It’s the ideal way to relax and reconnect with the world around you.
But the success of your road trip will depend on choosing the right location, of course, and Ireland is just that.
There are so many reasons why Ireland is the perfect destination for a campervan holiday, and we’re going to share a few of these with you now.
1. You can hire a campervan when you arrive:
Because road trips are so popular on this island, renting out campervans specifically for your holiday is becoming increasingly popular for tourists and locals alike. That means that whether you have a van or not, you can always hire one when you get there.
That way, you can just focus on getting yourself and your luggage there and then go to your collection point to pick up your new home on wheels.
This can make travelling more relaxing and get your trip off to a good start.
2. It’s easy to get there from multiple locations:
Another great thing about an Irish holiday is that it is easy enough to get there from many different points around the world. If you plan to take your own campervan, you can travel by ferry from the UK and several points in Europe.
If you plan to hire one when you arrive (as we mentioned above), then you can easily catch a direct flight to one of Ireland’s airports.
3. It’s a smaller country, so you can see more:
Ireland is approximately 32,500 square miles in size. So while this is by no means a tiny island, it is small enough that you can cover a lot of distance in your campervan, even on a shorter trip.
This means that whether you’re away for a long weekend, a week, two weeks or more, you will still get to see so much of the beauty that this wonderful country has to offer.
This also means that you don’t have to complete numerous long drives just to get from one hotspot to another as you might do in larger countries like America. This can make it a much more enjoyable and relaxing getaway.
4. There are loads of great campsites:
Ireland is well suited to road trips, and therefore, there are plenty of great spots and useful amenities along the way to ensure you have a pleasant journey. This includes lots of wonderful campsites where you can stay in overnight.
Just be aware that during peak times like the summer, you may have to book or call ahead to guarantee yourself a pitch.
5. There are also lots of beautiful scenic spots for overnight stops:
Providing you are respectful and tidy, there are also lots of remote scenic spots in Ireland where you can stop for the night as well.
Just be aware that while wild camping can be a lot of fun and can allow you to see lots of parts of the country you might otherwise have missed, you need to leave the place as you found it. That means leaving without a trace.
6. You can drive beautiful routes and roads:
From the Ring of Kerry to Wild Atlantic Way, from the Wicklow Mountains to Boyne Valley, there are so many beautiful and breathtaking routes you can take in your campervan.
In fact, Ireland offers some of the most scenic drives in the world. You can stick to the preplanned routes or venture a little further afield to see what you can find.
Just make sure that you have a map with you! We know that sat navs aren’t always reliable, and the last thing you want to do is cost yourself a day of your holiday because you got lost.
7. There are plenty of breathtaking ancient landscapes:
As well as beautiful roads, there are also plenty of mesmerising ancient landscapes for you to take in. Ireland is a land of myths and legends, and it’s easy to see why so many tales, books and artworks have been inspired by this great nation.
Along the way, you’ll see dramatic cliffs, mountainous regions, beautiful beaches, oceans and vast green spaces. Even just driving through the countryside is enough for you to fall in love and never want to leave.
8. It’s full of historical places to see:
While the drive and camping overnight are all part of the experience, you also want to know that there will be plenty of exciting places to visit during your holiday. This is just another reason why Ireland is so great.
This is a site of great historic importance, with monuments dating back more than 5,200 years. There is also a lot of Stone Age history still to be observed there, as well as historic prisons, abbeys and castles.
Some of the most popular sites to add to your list include Kilmainham Gaol, Giant’s Causeway, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Newgrange Tomb and Blarney Stone Gardens and Castle.
9. The country has been the location of lots of popular movies and shows:
Finally, if you’re a movie or fantasy fiction buff, then an Irish road trip will blow your mind. Did you know that lots of your favourite shows and movies were filmed there?
If you love Game of Thrones, you should visit The Dark Hedges, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Cushendun Caves and Larrybane Chalk Quarry. Or if Harry potter is more your style, stop by The Cliffs of Moher to see the Horcrux Cave.
The Princess Bride, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars also feature sets and locations in Ireland, so there really is so much to see and do during your holiday!