Ireland 2018
In June 2018 we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with a tour of Southern Ireland in our camper. This is a blog of our 9 day trip.
Ferry crossing
Pembroke Dock to Rosslare with Irish Ferries
The crossing was very calm and uneventful. The only complaint was that the burger bared little resemblance to the advertised culinary delight.
Night 1- Roches campervan and camping
Date of stay: 1st June 2018
Site Name: Roches caravan and camping
Clonmines, Wellingtonbridge, Wexford, Co. Wexford, Y35 R9P9
Pitch Number: No pitch numbers as such and its first come first served with regards to where you park up. The hard standing area for campers is at the bottom of a short steep hill which has power and water on the left side.
Cost: 23EUR (When booked via pitchup.com)
Likes:
Friendly owners
Great views of Bannow Bay.
Small and quiet site
45 min from ferry port
Dislikes: Could get a bit windy and exposed??
With a full compliment of 6 campers then it feels a bit packed in to quite a small space.
Notes:
Great for ferry port.
Space for 6 hard standing pitches
Stay Here again? Yes
Site Name: Roches caravan and camping
Clonmines, Wellingtonbridge, Wexford, Co. Wexford, Y35 R9P9
Pitch Number: No pitch numbers as such and its first come first served with regards to where you park up. The hard standing area for campers is at the bottom of a short steep hill which has power and water on the left side.
Cost: 23EUR (When booked via pitchup.com)
Likes:
Friendly owners
Great views of Bannow Bay.
Small and quiet site
45 min from ferry port
Dislikes: Could get a bit windy and exposed??
With a full compliment of 6 campers then it feels a bit packed in to quite a small space.
Notes:
Great for ferry port.
Space for 6 hard standing pitches
Stay Here again? Yes
Day 2 - Rock of Cashel
We broke up the journey across country from east to west with a visit to the Rock of Cashel.
If you spend 15EUR in a village shop then you get free entry into the site. We ate in a small coffee shop (https://www.bowesandco.ie) opposite the entrance to the main car park and had a great quiche salad and coffee. Cashel was well worth the visit too and the guided tour was very informative .. although I think I’ve forgotten most of the information already!
If you spend 15EUR in a village shop then you get free entry into the site. We ate in a small coffee shop (https://www.bowesandco.ie) opposite the entrance to the main car park and had a great quiche salad and coffee. Cashel was well worth the visit too and the guided tour was very informative .. although I think I’ve forgotten most of the information already!
Night 2 - Riverside camping & caravan park, Doolin.
We took a stroll from the site up to the pier which takes you past a small number of pubs and restaurants. The views are amazing as is the atmosphere in the pubs. There was traditional live music in the one we went in where we got talking to a family from Dublin.
Date of stay: 2nd June 2018
Site Name: Riverside camping & caravan park, Doolin
Pitch Number: No pitch numbers but we had a nice grass pitch by the river. No elec hookup on our pitch.
Likes:
great night life and music in local pubs
Nice food in The Ivy Cottage restaurant
Dislikes:
Busy
Noisy at night, but it was a bank holiday weekend.
Cost: 22EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes:
Great for cliffs of Moher
1EUR for a 5min shower
Site Name: Riverside camping & caravan park, Doolin
Pitch Number: No pitch numbers but we had a nice grass pitch by the river. No elec hookup on our pitch.
Likes:
great night life and music in local pubs
Nice food in The Ivy Cottage restaurant
Dislikes:
Busy
Noisy at night, but it was a bank holiday weekend.
Cost: 22EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes:
Great for cliffs of Moher
1EUR for a 5min shower
Day 3 - Cliffs of Moher
Plan to get there in the morning as the car park queues get long in the afternoon. You can easily spend a few hours here walking the cliff paths. Sturdy shoes recommended.
Night 3 - Woodlands Caravan & Camping
We had planned to follow the coastline roads but were struggling to find anywhere to stay en-route around Tarbert so phoned a few places and ended up heading on down to a site on the edge of Tralee. This ended up being a good old drive and we did feel we had missed out on quite a bit of coast but didn't have much choice as we couldn't even find anywhere suitable to wild camp.
Site Name: Woodlands Caravan & Camping
Date of stay: 3rd June 2018
Pitch Number: No numbers. like most Irish sites, it seems you drive around and pick one that you like the look of and park up. We found a nice pitch at the far side of the site that looked like it might be quiet without being too far from the toilet block.
Likes: quite a big site and it was busy but we were surprised how quiet it was at night.
Good clean toilet block and showers
Very pleasant and helpful owners with plenty of advise
Short walk into town
Dislikes: The town wasn't much to speak of but it was a bank holiday Monday
Cost:
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes: Lidl (nearest supermarket) is about 25min walk Along the river or there are plenty of shops in the town.
Date of stay: 3rd June 2018
Pitch Number: No numbers. like most Irish sites, it seems you drive around and pick one that you like the look of and park up. We found a nice pitch at the far side of the site that looked like it might be quiet without being too far from the toilet block.
Likes: quite a big site and it was busy but we were surprised how quiet it was at night.
Good clean toilet block and showers
Very pleasant and helpful owners with plenty of advise
Short walk into town
Dislikes: The town wasn't much to speak of but it was a bank holiday Monday
Cost:
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes: Lidl (nearest supermarket) is about 25min walk Along the river or there are plenty of shops in the town.
Day 4 - Dingle Peninsula
We thought that the Dingle Peninsula was equally as scenic as the more famous Ring of Kerry. We were recommended to do both the Dingle peninsular and Ring of Kerry in an anti-clockwise direction to get the best views.
We made our way to Dingle and parked up on the outskirts in the Lidl as there were loads of spaces and we could park the van away from any other car doors. Dingle its self was a bit of a letdown and smelt of fast food Fish & Chips. My advise to them would be to get rid of the harbour car park and replace it with a nice front. Make cars park on the outskirts and people can walk in.
We carried on around the coast but now in a clock wise direction. The sea views and scenery here is absolutely stunning and there are plenty of viewing points where you can just park up and soak it all in. Ventry is worth a stop - this is where we saw a Dolphin swimming just off shore past some surfers.
As we turned past the headland and started on the north coast it started to cloud over a bit (very low cloud). Its on this coast line that you start to see plaques sighting that Star Wars was filmed here. I think there was also a plaque in the Ventry Beach viewing point.
After Ballyferriter we took what i think was an unnumbered road back to Dingle where we picked up the N86 before dropping down onto the N561 to check out Inch Beach. I wish we had stopped here but time was rolling on and we needed to get down to Killarney for our campsite that we had booked via pitchup.com
Recommendations:
We made our way to Dingle and parked up on the outskirts in the Lidl as there were loads of spaces and we could park the van away from any other car doors. Dingle its self was a bit of a letdown and smelt of fast food Fish & Chips. My advise to them would be to get rid of the harbour car park and replace it with a nice front. Make cars park on the outskirts and people can walk in.
We carried on around the coast but now in a clock wise direction. The sea views and scenery here is absolutely stunning and there are plenty of viewing points where you can just park up and soak it all in. Ventry is worth a stop - this is where we saw a Dolphin swimming just off shore past some surfers.
As we turned past the headland and started on the north coast it started to cloud over a bit (very low cloud). Its on this coast line that you start to see plaques sighting that Star Wars was filmed here. I think there was also a plaque in the Ventry Beach viewing point.
After Ballyferriter we took what i think was an unnumbered road back to Dingle where we picked up the N86 before dropping down onto the N561 to check out Inch Beach. I wish we had stopped here but time was rolling on and we needed to get down to Killarney for our campsite that we had booked via pitchup.com
Recommendations:
- Start at Tralee and take the N86 and R560 to Brandons Point (the car park on google maps is Ballydavid North). This has to be one of our favourite viewing points of the whole trip.
- Re-join the R560 after leaving Brandon Point and take the Connor Pass not forgetting to stop at the Loogh Doon viewing point and climbing the rocks a little to take in the views.
- After Dingle take the R559 coast road in a clock wise direction and stop at as many viewing points as you can... but include Ventry beach.
Night 4 - Fossa Caravan & Camping Park
Site name: Fossa Caravan & Camping Park
Date of stay: June 2018
Pitch Number: No pitch numbers. Right at the back to the left of the track.
Likes: Convenient place to start the Ring of Kerry.
Dislikes: We were ok but some of the lower pitches seemed a little crammed in.
Cost: 25EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes: No charge to use the showers.
Date of stay: June 2018
Pitch Number: No pitch numbers. Right at the back to the left of the track.
Likes: Convenient place to start the Ring of Kerry.
Dislikes: We were ok but some of the lower pitches seemed a little crammed in.
Cost: 25EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes: No charge to use the showers.
Day 5 - Ring of Kerry part I
Again, based on a recommendation from the locals we did the Ring of Kerry in an anti-clockwise direction heading out on the N72 and N70.
We did one of our detours from the main Ring to try and get a closer look at Cargo lake however weren’t successful. We did see some very nice countryside and properties though ..
We did one of our detours from the main Ring to try and get a closer look at Cargo lake however weren’t successful. We did see some very nice countryside and properties though ..
Kells bay beach is a worth while detour off the main Ring route if the weather is nice. We had lunch (sarnies made in the camper) on the beach and a quick power nap in the sun before it started to cloud over.
There are lots of views to be had along the coast with viewing points a plenty. We headed on down around the coast road to the bit between Cetherdaniel and Sneem stopping at Catherdaniel for a quick stroll along the beach front.
Night 5 - Wave Crest Caravan Park
We had originally called ahead to the site just up the road Glenbeg but when we drove through we decided it wasn’t for us. West Crest is much classier 🤫 and the views were stunning.
Site Name: Wave Crest
Date of stay: June 2018
Pitch Number: No pitch numbers. Next level up from the beach, at the back.
Likes:
Stunning views.
An ‘ok’ restaurant in the hotel next door.
A great little deli/site shop that has some amazing looking pastries and fresh meat.
Dislikes:
Cost: 28EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes:
Id recommend picking up some burgers (lamb if they have them) from the site Deli. These were amazing on the BBQ that evening.
Site Name: Wave Crest
Date of stay: June 2018
Pitch Number: No pitch numbers. Next level up from the beach, at the back.
Likes:
Stunning views.
An ‘ok’ restaurant in the hotel next door.
A great little deli/site shop that has some amazing looking pastries and fresh meat.
Dislikes:
Cost: 28EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes:
Id recommend picking up some burgers (lamb if they have them) from the site Deli. These were amazing on the BBQ that evening.
Day 6 - Ring of Kerry part II
30mins out of the Wave Crest site is the village of Sneem which is a place you have to stop at. The village is set around a stream and is brightly painted and has a nice mix of bakery, butchers, cafe's and pubs. We sort of wish we had known about this village earlier as there is a very convenient camper site (Goosey Island) next to the river.
Night 6 - Eagle Point
Date of stay: 6th June 2018
Pitch Number: Lower level right on the water front - stunning views!
Likes:
Amazing views
Clean showers and toilets
Dislikes:
The site is a 100% recycling site so no general waste bins. I shouldn't complain about this, but thats tough to acheive.
Cost: EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes:
Pitch Number: Lower level right on the water front - stunning views!
Likes:
Amazing views
Clean showers and toilets
Dislikes:
The site is a 100% recycling site so no general waste bins. I shouldn't complain about this, but thats tough to acheive.
Cost: EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes:
Day 7 - Cork
its a 30min downhill walk from the campsite into Blarney village where we caught a bus into Cork centre. 2.70EUR per person single
Cork feels to us like Dublin but minus the historic buildings. The people are lovely and the sun was shining all day. We stopped off in a board game cafe and listened in to an over intense conversation about War Hammer 😬. The owners were very friendly and recommended the English Market.
Cork feels to us like Dublin but minus the historic buildings. The people are lovely and the sun was shining all day. We stopped off in a board game cafe and listened in to an over intense conversation about War Hammer 😬. The owners were very friendly and recommended the English Market.
The Stoneview restaurant is 100m from the site entrance. The food is amazing and they have a cosy area to one side where we took coffee.
3 courses plus a bottle of wine and coffee was 91EUR
3 courses plus a bottle of wine and coffee was 91EUR
Night 7 - Blarney caravan & camping park
Site Name: Blarney Caravan & Camping Park
Date of stay: 7th June 2018
Pitch Number: no pitch numbers. Near the top middle of the field on hard standing with hook up
Likes:
Clean and quiet
Dislikes:
Notes
22EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes:
30 min walk into Blarney village
Taxi into village 7EUR
TAXI into Cork 15EUR
Date of stay: 7th June 2018
Pitch Number: no pitch numbers. Near the top middle of the field on hard standing with hook up
Likes:
Clean and quiet
Dislikes:
Notes
22EUR
Stay Here again? Yes
Notes:
30 min walk into Blarney village
Taxi into village 7EUR
TAXI into Cork 15EUR
Day 8 - Blarney Castle, Wool Mill & Cobh
Blarney Castle & wool mill are very set up to ‘meet the demands of an ‘American tourist’ and wasn’t really for us. Our visit coinsided with a number of coaches full of fresh wallets who’s owners were happy to join the queue to spend 18EUR each to kiss a stone and walk around a ruin. So, we had a wander around to village and wool mill shop before hitting the road for Cobh at the recommendation of the games cafe.
Cobh was the last port for the Titanic before it’s I’ll faited voyage so everything in the town is ‘Titanic’ related. It also turns out that most of the American tourists we rubbed shoulders with in Blarney were from the boat that was docked here.
We found a free car park with camper bays along side the dock. Camping is permitted overnight @10EUR.
We then hit the road with the aim of staying at Dunmore East camp site. The site is attached to a golf club alwgich has a nice restaurant offering scenic views over the sea.
Cobh was the last port for the Titanic before it’s I’ll faited voyage so everything in the town is ‘Titanic’ related. It also turns out that most of the American tourists we rubbed shoulders with in Blarney were from the boat that was docked here.
We found a free car park with camper bays along side the dock. Camping is permitted overnight @10EUR.
We then hit the road with the aim of staying at Dunmore East camp site. The site is attached to a golf club alwgich has a nice restaurant offering scenic views over the sea.
Night 8 - Dunmore East holiday park
Site Name: Dunmore East Holiday Park
Date of stay: 8th June 2018
Pitch: 5 grass with hookup
Likes: convenient restaurant, clean showers and toilet blocks.
Dislikes: no views to speak of
They allocated the pitch which put us right next to a noisy camper even though most other pitches were free.
Notes
24EUR + 1EUR for shower
Stay Here again? Yes, but would make sure WE chose the pitch.
Notes:
Date of stay: 8th June 2018
Pitch: 5 grass with hookup
Likes: convenient restaurant, clean showers and toilet blocks.
Dislikes: no views to speak of
They allocated the pitch which put us right next to a noisy camper even though most other pitches were free.
Notes
24EUR + 1EUR for shower
Stay Here again? Yes, but would make sure WE chose the pitch.
Notes:
We ate at the golf club restaurant which has trip advisor reviews of slow service. We would agree but would add that the staff were very friendly and I think the slowness is just a pace of life thing.
Day 9 - Waterford
As we hit the road again for one final time Pam noticed a riveraide pub Just outside of Waterford. The sun was beating down and it was past lunch time so we stopped for a quick soft drink and Cashel blue cheese salad. The salad was great as were the views and weather.
back on the road, the SatNav took os on the ferry across to Wexford
Night 9 - Roche’s caravan & camping
Back hear again for our last night. Only us and a caravan on the hard stand this time though. And the views were even better this time - no mist.
Day 10
Unfortunatley we had a flat tyre enroute to Rosslare which wouldn’t have normally been an issue to replace other than we couldn’t undo the locking nut securing the spare and had to call out the VW rescue. They organised for an AA van who turned up just over an hour after and released the cap covering the nut. Needless to say we missed our ferry. We had originally booked with Irish ferries with a non-changeable ticket not expecting this sort of thing to happen to us. Looking around the next ferry was at 18:10 to Fishguard so we booked on this and headed to nearby Wexford for the day.
A few lessons learnt about which tools to carry with us on future trips.
A few lessons learnt about which tools to carry with us on future trips.