Big Irish Adventure

cmcc

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Big Irish Adventure

· Posted: 22.06.2013 · #1

Heading off for 4 weeks during July/August in the motorhome. We will travel from Cavan to Sligo and from there travel from Donegal down the west coast of Ireland as far as Cork.

Might do Malin head to Mizen head...

Hints / Tips / Suggestions for places to go, stay, aires, stopovers, camp sites, wild camping, places to see, beaches, things for kids (9 & 12) etc... would be great.

Thanks in advance.

the fat controller

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Re: Big Irish Adventure

· Posted: 22.06.2013 · #2

Are you planning on wild camping or staying on sites, if you look at the map on the portal page you will find loads of places to stay and could plan your journey from that. I personally haven't done the west of Ireland in the motorhome except for Donegal but used the Craig map for that.

cmcc

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Re: Big Irish Adventure

· Posted: 24.06.2013 · #3

Really? Just one reply offering advice...

Blag

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Re: Big Irish Adventure

· Posted: 24.06.2013 · #4

Sorry Craig, I was waiting for you to reply to John (TFC) before chipping in.

The map on the portal page is very good and has lots of reviews.

My stomping ground is mainly on the SouthWest coast in West Cork and Kerry. Some great campsites over this way. Roads not the greatest but worth the effort.

Heres a few ideas for you -

Campsites -
In Kerry I'd recommend the Flesk (Killarney), Wavecrest (Caherdaniel) & Mannix point (Cahersciveen). Be aware the roads in Kerry can be a bit challenging so only venture off the beaten track if you are a confident driver. Having said that, the N70 on the ring of Kerry is fine as long as you follow the coaches who take an anti-clockwise path on that route.

In Cork, I'd recommend Eagle Point (Bantry) or Sextons (Timoleague).
In the sunny South East our favourite site is Morriscastle strand in Kilmuckridge but it can be very busy there. There's a beautiful beach which keeps drawing us back.

Unfortunately we haven't yet wild camped so I can't advise you there but I can recommend you review our POI's for those.

Scenic drives -
The Burren, Ring of kerry & The gold coast road (in Waterford) should not be missed.

Beaches...
Plenty of beautiful beaches on the West coast and further south. Lehinch, BallyHeigue, Ventry, Caherdaniel, Barleycove, Inch Beach, Youghal, Tramore... My favourite of that lot is in Caherdaniel. Breathtaking beauty.

Mizen Head...
Not a great road but again, great view, good destination and a great beach nearby in Barleycove. Head for Crookhaven for some nice pub grub in the Crookhaven inn. A regular destination of mine when on out for spins on the motorbikes.

cmcc

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Re: Big Irish Adventure

· Posted: 24.06.2013 · #5

Thank you both. Spent some time on the portal map and have got as far as looking at suggestion in Donegal, Sligo and Mayo so Kevin helps with lower end of Ireland.

Any ideas about Achill? Would a campsite be better?

Bit happier now but still apprehensive as only have Motorhome a couple of months and this is a big step so want to have some ideas in place.

Blag

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Re: Big Irish Adventure

· Posted: 24.06.2013 · #6

Quote by cmcc

Any ideas about Achill? Would a campsite be better?

Some friends of ours stayed at Keem strand on Achill last year and they recommended it to us for when we get our camper on the road...

see here -

forum/topic.php?t=1975&page=fs…ght=achill

biffo

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Achill

· Posted: 25.06.2013 · #7

Plenty of places to stay in Achill. The site at keel has been overhauled recently, think it's around 20e a night. Wild camping is available just around the corner where the surfers park. Dugort on the north of the island has a site but it is in need of an update. Have heard of vans being hassled if they stay in front of the beach at the pub. .......but not by patrons of the pub !!!!!!!!. :bandit: Keem beach is nice but beware of high winds on way to it and it can be fairly annoying if you park in the open as the wind can batter the van. Achill head hotel on way to Keem does good grub and a nice pint .........no problem staying in the car park. There's always Mullranny on the way to Achill sound, park out at the beach and take the causeway in to the village.

eirebus

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Re: Big Irish Adventure

· Posted: 26.06.2013 · #8

Omey Island near Cliften is another nice wildcamping spot in west galway right on the beach with nice walks over to the island itself

Macy

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Re: Big Irish Adventure

· Posted: 06.07.2013 · #9

Might be too late (was waiting for my sub to clear) but, we've done a bit in the west. Rosses Point is a grand site, and a lovely beach. Maybe even too calm for children. They don't take bookings. Not a whole lot in the village though - all about the beach.

Westport House is a decent site, and they sometimes do offers (we got 3 nights camping and 3 days passes for the park for €150 last summer). Dead handy for Westport town, the Greenway etc. Standard prices are steep enough, but no extras - hook up, showers, WiFi are included.

Galway we stayed in O'Hallorans in salthill. Pricey for what it is but just past the end of the promenade, so handy for the beach, leisure land and busses into town from outside the gate.

There were a few more sites in Connemara that were on the list too, but we didn't get around to them. Roundstone and the eco camping place.

Morriscastle is a good beach, but it can be hard to get into during the summer, and their customer service on the phone can leave a bit to be desired. Also, the toilet blocks don't always stand up well to a full site - well the women's at least according to the missus. Its kinda dropped off our regular list to be honest. Beach didn't get a blue flag this year either.

We're planning a tour of Munster this year so blags post is a great help for us at least.

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