motorhome touring in Ireland - what reception can we really expect?

Now I have had a little time to explore a few threads, the alarm bells are beginning to ring. When i posted asking for advice on where to visit in ROI, replies came back suggesting I explore options in Northern Ireland instead, which did make me think about extending my trip northwards, though as I have been to various NI locations several times on business before, the intention was to take a look at new areas in the South. So ideally I'd like to spend time in both, but:

what concerns me is that:

1. There seems to be no enthusiasm for the Aires system in ROI - in fact there seems to be positive opposition/resistance to the idea of parking overnight off official sites at all, and seemingly it might even be difficult to find an official car park in some places where we can stop during the day to visit, due to height restrictions and job'sworth attendants.

2. Official site prices seem expensive and surprisingly sites are not very plentiful, especially given restrictions on dogs reducing choice still further. We are not fans of all singing and dancing sites with club facilities, pools etc (we are past the age of kids and prefer a quiet life till our own grandchildren come along at least!). We are also concerned about how full they might be in August, which is the only time we can come.

i have just subscribed to the full site, hoping that will improve the picture and await my confirmation of registration with anticipation, but in the meantime if one of you experienced posters could give a warts and all frank summary of the situation in both ROI and NI popular destinations I would be very grateful. Thanks in anticipation!

Thanks for susbcribing.

Have you check out our POI's? Portal page - right hand side - click on the map. There are over 300 Parking spots for Motorhomes all over Ireland, these are just not grabbed from around the internet like a lot of other sites but are actual spots that members on here use and recommend, spots are removed quickly if any problems arise.

Most of us on here tour Ireland North and South with no problems, I am doing just that in the next few weeks. Don't let the "not welcome" posts put you off as these are out numbered by the "Motorhomes Welcome" spots.

As Mark says there are plenty of places that will welcome you and want the business that Motorhomers bring, have a browse on our map.

Have you idea's of places to where you will be visiting?

P.S. If you make as far North as Antrim, come and use your subscribe discount, TWO NIGHTS free at Shanogue CL

Admin, no we're still thinking about locations, hence the subscription to the portal (I also belong to Wildcamping for the same reason .... but your site is MUCH more user friendly

We've confirmed dates now: 3rd - 11th August ... I know it's peak season but I work in education sales so not much chance of going this side of term end as it's a really busy period.

Next step is to get the pet passport sorted for the small 4 legged critter.

Hi.
You have n'ot said if you are considering 'way down south', as in Tipperary, Cork etc. A very good cheap campsite is The Apple in Cahir, Co. Tipperary. Quiet and very clean and simple- I think they take dogs, but it is not walking distance to any facilities.. Also another very good site is in Skibbereen in county Cork. Town is 10 minutes walk on footpaths.
I know prices sound dear, but my friend is currently camping in Holland, on sites, and prices are up to 33€ or more per night.
Generally we go to commercial sites for the Electrics, but there are plenty of places where you can pull in, such as pub carparks, and if you say you want to have a few pints, so can you overnight, invariably the answer is 'yes'
Enjoy

Hi,stayed in Carrick on Shannon on june bank holiday monday and tuesday nights.Parked in carpark beside bridge ,when I pulled in there was a garda there so I wound window down and asked was it ok to stay over night."No problem,stay as long as you like"was the answer.Disc parking during the day but a great place to park at night.

Safe Nights Ireland lists places like farms, pubs, shops who have 'signed up' to providing a safe location for an motorhome/campervan overnight. There are usually no facilities other than a place to park up, although some may provide fresh water, and possibly a place to dump 'grey' water. It is worth looking up their website for further information.

if you are a member of the caravan club there are a few nice cl sites up north, teepee village in markethill for one. i think most take non members for an extra charge.

Spatuladad we agree with everything you have said regarding Lough Arrow it is a really great site with really friendly people .

Dunmore East also has a wildcamping spot just behind the harbour where most campervans go

Hi

This as you can see is a great "Club" an the members are all friendly so you can take what they say as good advice.

Anyway the main reason for my note is that we have recently come back from a months tour of "Ireland"
I had every intention of using the POI that they have put together but when push came to shove the Boss said that she didn't fancy it so I am not able to comment on this.
We used the Caravan Camping & motorhome guide book Published by the Irish Caravan & camping Council which we obtained free from The Caravan Club prior to leaving the UK, or you can soon get one as soon as you get to Ireland
If you are using the ferry to Rosslare I would happily recommend pre booking St Margarets Beach at Ladys Island just outside of Rosslare at least for the first night as this takes all the stress out of the journey getting over.

Regarding the cost of these sites we found that if we didn't book for electric hook up the fees were
not to expensive.
We did not pre book any site (apart from St Margarets) when we visited but did ring up the day before we visited to make sure they had room..
We did not stop on any site for more than 3 days and maybe covered the southern third of Ireland
in the time we were there.
As we expected we were made very welcome on every site (maybe one exception) both by the owners and if you make the time by other campers on the site.

Don't know if you have been to Ireland much but we have now been going back every couple of
years for the past 25 or so years but this year was special as it was the first time we toured with our van.
The reason we keep going back is without doubt the people first and the countryside second
David

You'll find plenty of spots where you can wild camp as you go round the coast. We were across in June and also for 6 weeks last year and didn't use campsites at all. And as for being made welcome, we stopped in one pub car park and the landlord brought out some fresh trout he had just caught for us to cook in the van! Thank you Gene. Now that takes some beating! Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Yep. You guessed it! Great craic.