The ultimate campervan trip of Ireland
11 Day Ireland Itinerary
Jack from our DriveNow reservations team tried out the Bunk Campervan Product in Ireland and embarked on this itinerary which he's pleased to share with you.Campervanning is a fantastic, and economical way to do the ultimate road-trip on the Emerald Isle.
Lets go......
Dublin/Galway
Arrive in Dublin anytime before 2pm to be ready for a 2pm campervan collection. The Bunk Campers depot is located a 5-10 minute drive from the airport. If you arrive early, you can leave your bags at the depot and either venture into Dublin or wait at the nearby service station that serves breakfast and has a lounge area. After collecting your camper, it’s a 2.5 hour drive to Galway. If you have time for stops along the way, Clonmacnoise Monastic site and Athenry Castle are both available with only short detours off the M4/M6 motorway.Campground options: O’Halloran’s Caravan Park or Salthill Caravan Park
Galway
Early start today for an 8 hour loop of County Sligo and Country Mayo. First stop is Sligo for breakfast at any of the cafes located along the river in the middle of town, the ruins of Sligo Abbey is also worth a visit. Next stop is Downpatrick Head and Caide fields via Ballina and Ballycastle. Downpatrick Heads is a viewpoint with cliffs into the North Atlantic Ocean and a small shrine. Caide fields is a neolithic site dating back almost 6000 years and is currently known to be one of the oldest known field systems in the world. Next stop is lunch at Westport; I’d also recommend the gift stores here as they can be cheaper than some of the busier locations like Dublin or Galway. Finish the long day of driving by parking up your camper back in Galway at your chosen campground. Depending on what time you get back, reward yourself with Dinner and a Guinness in one of the many Irish pubs in the Latin Quarter. Tigh Neachtain was my personal favourite for small booths and a traditional Irish feel.Campground options: O’Halloran’s Caravan Park or Salthill Caravan Park
Galway
As yesterday was a lot of travel, I’d recommend taking today to relax and enjoy exploring Galway. If you did want to add an extra day trip, Clifden is a nice spot for lunch and is only a 1 hour drive nearby is the small ruin of Clifden Castle. If you’re heading back into Galway for dinner tonight, I would recommend a stop at “The Cellar” Gastropub for a great dinner located a short walk from Eyre Square.Campground options: O’Halloran’s Caravan Park or Salthill Caravan Park
Galway/Doolin
Today we say goodbye to Galway and start the drive to Doolin where the Cliffs of Moher await! It’s only a short drive, Google maps will try to take you along the N67 but unless you are a veteran motorhome driver, I wouldn’t recommend this route. Instead, drive on the M18 to Ennis and turn off on the N85 via Inagh and Ennistymon to get to Doolin. Take the last 20 minute drive into Doolin slowly as there are pedestrians on the road and usually other campers passing.If arriving early in the day today, I would recommend heading up to Doolin Cave or walking the Cliffs of Moher walking trail. In the afternoon walk into Gus O’Connors Pub for a feed and “trad” music from 8/9pm daily.
Campground options: Nagles Doolin
Doolin
I would highly recommend either the Cliffs of Moher or Aran Islands Day cruise, if you can fit both in today then I’d start with the Cliffs of Moher Cruise and then spend the rest of the day on the Aran islands. The cruises depart from the Doolin pier located less than a 5 minute walk from Nagles Caravan park. These two activities should take the full day, head back to Gus O’Connors pub for another “trad” session or a little further up the road to “The Ivy Cottage” for dinner.*Extra Day Recommendation: If you can’t fit both the Cliffs of Moher Cruise and the Aran islands in the same day then this is a great location for an extra night. A whole day can be spent split between the 3 Aran islands and there’s plenty of walking trails and a scenic pitch and putt golf course back on the mainland to make an extra day worth it.
Campground options: Nagles Doolin
Doolin/Killarney
Todays travel takes us south to Killarney. The drive to Killarney is roughly 3 hours, we pass by Limerick on the way if you want a break roughly halfway to Killarney. Depending on your time of arrival into Killarney and your energy levels, I’d suggest a bike ride from our recommended campground to Ross Castle and the walking trails around the Castle’s Demesne.Alternatively, it’s a 30 minute walk to town or a 5 minute EUR12-15 Taxi. Theres plenty of Irish pub and restaurant options along Main Street in Killarney. J.M. Reidy’s is a great start and has excellent food.
Campground options: Flemings White Bridge
Killarney
The next two days are interchangeable, the options I would suggest are1: a Self-Drive around the Ring of Kerry with stops at Mountain stage viewpoint, Kells Sheepdogs, Waterville for beachfront lunch, Glenbeg “The cove” for a swim if you’re brave enough, Sneem, Kenmare, Ladies Viewpoint, Torc waterfall and back to Killarney. There are so many viewpoints along this route that you can pretty much stop anywhere and be guaranteed an amazing view.
2: Book one of the many Dingle Day trip options, the reason I suggest Dingle as a day trip rather than a self-drive is the roads can be slightly difficult with a motorhome. It can be done in a motorhome if you are an experienced driver, but I would suggest taking the drive slow and as always being courteous to other drivers. Once finished with the Dingle Day trip, there is usually still time to explore Killarney National Park
Campground options: Flemings White Bridge
Killarney
Today is for whichever option you didn’t pick the day before.1: a Self-Drive around the Ring of Kerry with stops at Mountain stage viewpoint, Kells Sheepdogs, Waterville for beachfront lunch, Glenbeg “The cove” for a swim if you’re brave enough, Sneem, Kenmare, Ladies Viewpoint, Torc waterfall and back to Killarney. There are so many viewpoints along this route that you can pretty much stop anywhere and be guaranteed an amazing view.
2: Book one of the many Dingle Day trip options, the reason I suggest Dingle as a day trip rather than a self-drive is the roads can be slightly difficult with a motorhome. It can be done in a motorhome if you are an experienced driver, but I would suggest taking the drive slow and as always being courteous to other drivers. Once finished with the Dingle Day trip, there is usually still time to explore Killarney National Park
Campground options: Flemings White Bridge
Killarney/Kilkenny
Killarney to Kilkenny is in theory only a 2.5 hour drive. I would instead suggest an early morning and add in stops at Blarney Castle, Cork, Cahir Castle and The Rock of Cashel on the way, which should fill up the entire day and get you to Kilkenny in the Afternoon for dinner.Campground options: Tree Grove Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a great town to spend the whole day exploring the local shops and going for a stroll around the Castle Park. Visit the Medieval Mile Museum or opt to learn about and try the local brew at the Smithwick’s experience.Campground options: Tree Grove Kilkenny
Kilkenny/Dublin
I’d recommend returning your campervan on the day you arrive back to Dublin and staying at a hotel for your stay there. Drop off times are usually by 10am for Ireland camper hire. It should be a short 20-30 minute taxi into town from the Camper depots which are located near the airport. Once in town explore the many options available in Dublin such as the Guinness storehouse, Jameson’s Whiskey Distillery, Trinity College and the Book of Kells experience and Temple bar’s famous pubs.*Extra Day Recommendation: Extend your stay in Dublin for a few nights to really experience Irelands Capital city which usually has plenty of events, shows, concerts and festivals throughout the year.
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