After getting to know their Free Spirit campervan on shorter trips, Jane and her husband set off on a two-week journey around Ireland. Their route brought together a visit to Belfast’s Titanic attraction, the northern coastline and a long stretch of the west coast, with campsites booked along the way. Campervanning in Ireland gave them the opportunity to explore several regions on one holiday, and they returned with plenty of memories and ideas for another visit.
Summary
Jane and her husband’s Irish adventure took them from Dublin towards Belfast, past the Giant’s Causeway and through Donegal before continuing down the west coast towards the Ring of Kerry. Their experience of campervanning in Ireland combined planned campsite stays with sightseeing, mostly sunny weather and one particularly windy morning near Malin Head. Here, they share the highlights and the practical arrangements that helped make their trip work.
Setting Off for Two Weeks of Campervanning in Ireland
Before heading to Ireland, the couple had already taken their campervan on shorter outings to places including Canterbury and Cambridge. Those trips gave them time to become familiar with the vehicle and work out how they liked to organise things while away.
Ireland offered the chance to put that experience into practice over a longer journey. They recalled covering around 1,000 miles during their two weeks, exploring both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
“We went over to Dublin.”
From there, they travelled north towards Belfast before continuing around the coast. Having their accommodation with them meant they could move between different areas while keeping their belongings in the same familiar space.
For anyone planning a similar holiday, their route provides inspiration rather than a fixed itinerary. The distances you want to cover and the time you would like at each stop will shape your own version of the trip.
From Dublin to Belfast and the Northern Coast
One of their early stops was near Belfast, where they camped and visited the Titanic attraction.
Titanic Belfast explores the ship’s story alongside the people and city connected with its construction. It offers a change of pace from coastal sightseeing, making it a useful addition for travellers who want to combine history with time outdoors.
The couple’s journey continued past the Giant’s Causeway and towards Derry before they headed into Donegal. Their route combined city visits and stretches of coastline, rather than focusing the whole holiday on one type of destination.
If you are planning to include the Causeway yourself, the National Trust’s Giant’s Causeway page provides visitor information for the basalt coastline and its facilities. Check the arrangements for your vehicle before setting off.
Discovering Donegal and the West Coast
After the northern coast, Jane and her husband travelled into Donegal and continued south along much of the west coast, reaching the Ring of Kerry.
Their enthusiasm for the western scenery was clear:
“Absolutely wonderful.”
For readers considering campervanning in Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way offers plenty of ideas for building a coastal route. Its destinations include Malin Head in Donegal and the peninsulas of Kerry, giving travellers a wide choice of places to explore according to their interests and available time.
The couple’s journey also shows why a longer holiday can still leave you wanting to return. They covered considerable ground, but there were areas they did not reach and others they wanted more time to explore.
You do not have to fit every possible stop into one visit. Choosing the places that interest you most leaves more room to enjoy the journey between them.
A Memorable Morning Near Malin Head
Although they enjoyed sunshine for most of their trip, the weather near Malin Head gave them a rather different experience.
Strong wind disturbed their stay, and at around five in the morning they realised something was wrong with the awning.
“I thought it was odd that I couldn’t see the inside of the awning. Only daylight.”
The wind had pushed the awning partway along its rail. With the side door obstructed, they had to get out through the driver’s door to deal with it.
It became one of the more memorable episodes of their holiday, although it was clearly an inconvenient start to the day. Their account also brings some honesty to the picture of travelling with a campervan: even a carefully planned trip can include unexpected jobs and difficult weather.
When planning your own coastal stays, allow for changing conditions and follow the instructions for your particular awning.
Why They Booked Their Campsites Beforehand
Jane and her husband chose to arrange their overnight stops in advance.
“We booked all of the campsites beforehand.”
Their campervan does not have onboard toilet facilities, so they looked for campsites with suitable amenities. Water and electric hook-up were also part of what they looked for when planning their stays.
This gave their route a practical structure. They described a pattern of driving between locations and then spending two nights on a site, allowing time between journeys rather than moving on every morning.
For them, campervanning in Ireland worked well with those arrangements already in place. Booking ahead suited their preferences and helped them organise a trip around the facilities they needed.
When choosing your own stops, check what each individual campsite provides. A convenient location is only part of the decision; the facilities and the amount of time you want to stay matter too.
Where They Would Like to Go Next
By the end of their holiday, the couple already had ideas for a return visit.
“We would like to go back and do the southern part.”
They had not reached Cork and wanted to explore more of that area and places further east. Their first journey had given them a clearer sense of where they would like to spend time next.
That is one of the pleasures of returning with your own campervan. You can build on what you learned about travelling together, choosing stops and organising your days, while giving a different part of the country your attention.
Planning Your Own Campervan Adventure
Jane and her husband’s story combines the joy of exploring new places with the practical decisions behind a comfortable trip. Their booked campsites and two-night stops gave them a routine, while the journey itself offered plenty of variety.
If campervanning in Ireland is on your wish list, start with the places you would most like to visit and the facilities you need along the way.
To explore vehicles for your own travels, browse our campervans or contact Free Spirit Campervans to arrange a visit near Chichester. Call 01243 649087 or email info@fscltd.co.uk.
Call us
Tel: (01243) 649087
Email us
info@fscltd.co.uk
Opening Times
Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday: CLOSED
FAQs
How long did Jane and her husband spend campervanning in Ireland?
Their trip lasted two weeks. They travelled through several areas of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, combining sightseeing with campsite stays along their route.
Where did their journey begin?
They arrived in Dublin before travelling north towards Belfast. Their route then continued along the northern coast and into Donegal before heading down the west coast.
What did they visit in Belfast?
They camped near Belfast and visited the Titanic attraction. It was one of the named sightseeing stops on their journey before they continued towards the northern coastline.
Which areas did they explore along the coast?
Their account includes the Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Donegal, Malin Head and the west coast down towards the Ring of Kerry. This is an overview of their travels rather than a complete daily itinerary.
Did they book their campsites in advance?
Yes. They explained that they booked all their campsites beforehand, giving the trip a planned structure and allowing them to choose stops with the facilities they needed.
Why were campsite facilities important to them?
Their campervan does not have onboard toilet facilities, so they needed suitable facilities at their overnight stops. They also looked for access to water and electric hook-up.
Did they move to a different campsite every day?
They described a pattern of driving between destinations and then spending two nights at a campsite. This gave them time between travel days rather than requiring a move every morning.
What was the weather like during their trip?
They reported mostly sunny weather, with particularly strong wind near Malin Head. The wind moved their awning along its rail and led to an unexpected early-morning task.
Was two weeks enough to see everywhere they wanted?
They enjoyed a varied trip but still had places they wanted to explore. In particular, they would like to return to see Cork and more of the south and areas further east.
What can other travellers learn from their experience?
Their trip shows the value of matching a route to your preferred pace and campsite needs. Allow time to enjoy each area, prepare for changing weather and accept that some destinations can be saved for another visit.
