Camping in Ireland
Today, we’re camped in a place that makes me feel like we are in an upper middle-class refugee camp. Quite literally, there are over 300 caravans: approximately 150 camper vans, another 100 caravans, and an equal number of tents.
Yes, it’s the biggest holiday weekend in Ireland’s summer schedule.
Stupid Canadians had not taken account of this, and as a result, we have taken the only camping place available on our routing or, at least, close to our routing.
It’s a mad house, but a well organized one. We’ve learned in Ireland that wild camping is not really something that is done. Someone did say that in the past, campers had parked on the side of the roads in laybys or in church yards, especially in the covid years and particularly in the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle peninsula. However, as the adage says, the minority spoiled it for the majority as they left their garbage behind, and people just got tired of itinerants making a mess.
What does this mean for us? For almost 100% of the time we are camping in designated trailer parks/camping areas. We have no reservations other than in Achill Island, and for the rest, we make a reservation or show up at campsites hoping for the best. It’s all hit and miss and in most areas there’s very few facilities.
Costs in most places average 40 Euros, which may or may not include wi-fi and/or electricity and/or showers. Overflow areas are usually located a 10 minute walk from the washrooms and have little or no restrictions on how close or far you are from your neighbour.
Thinking of wild camping? There’s no such thing as the ‘right to roam’ as there is in Scotland. Here, there are few places to just pull off the road and park. Lay bys are small and are virtually right on the edge of the road. Homes that appear to have additional spaces at their entries have placed rocks on the edge of the road to discourage people from pulling off the road to park for the night. Wild camping is definitely something that is frowned on.
The other disadvantage about camping here is that campgrounds are rarely within walking distance of a pub!
That’s camping in Ireland!
Sage on sail 
Whooza
Not like west coast trail !
WOW! That is something I still find awkwardly amazing to believe. Craziness, but pictures don’t lie. Thanks for your insights and safe travels to Achill. W
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Crikey !!! This all puts me in mind of the now infamous Amazon “migratory seasonal work force” … as memorably portrayed in 2020 Oscar winner “Nomadland”. The good news Tony is that with your new wild-camp skill-set you could find work in the US … if you’d only get over your Trump-grump and drive South for a visit.
Camping or Glamping? I know your hat is hung inside that very nice van…good on you! But look, it’s the same here at home on Vancouver Island. Try finding a spot within sight or earshot of the ocean. The secret spots are now filled with the monstrous x-military 6×6 conveyences loaded with Germans. And they don’t give a toss about campfires, they’ll be going home to their own Black Forest anyway. Enjoy your authentic Irish experience. Bottoms up.
So weird that Ireland and Scotland can be so far apart on the right to roam issue. Reminds me of the signs in Germany that threatened a 7,000 euro fine for camping in a remote forest. It’s enough to put this Irish descendant, Canadian cheapskate cyclist who would love to visit the land of his ancestors and is into wild camping, from visiting the Green Island. Where did they go so wrong? Tnx for update, keep’em comin’. Tom
One way to make friends amongst the hundreds of other caravanors:)
wow, good to know, I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland, but not so sure after camping in the Canadian wild, that this would be for me. Thanks for the information.