There is something about Ireland that feels made for a campervan trip. The roads wind past dramatic coastlines and ancient ruins, the pace is unhurried, and the country is compact enough that you can see an enormous amount without covering enormous distances. If you’ve been considering it as a family holiday, here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Why Ireland works so well for families
For UK families, Ireland has one very practical advantage: you drive on the left. After the UK’s campervanning article we published earlier this year, a lot of you asked about taking the experience further afield, and Ireland is one of the easiest places to do exactly that without the added stress of switching sides of the road.
Beyond logistics, Ireland is genuinely brilliant for children. There are ruined castles at almost every turn, wild beaches that are rarely crowded even in summer, and a landscape that seems to shift every twenty minutes. The pace of rural Ireland also suits families well. Locals are warm and unhurried, small towns have everything you need, and there is very little of the “are we there yet” energy when the views out of the window are keeping everyone entertained.
Getting there
The most common routes from the UK are the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin (around 3.5 hours on the fast craft) or Pembroke to Rosslare (around 4 hours). Both are well-suited to campervans and motorhomes, and crossing by ferry is itself part of the adventure for younger travellers.
Book early if you’re travelling in summer. Ferry space for larger vehicles fills up faster than you’d expect, and having your crossing confirmed well in advance means you can plan the rest of your route with much more confidence.
Where to go: three great routes for first-timers
The Wild Atlantic Way
This is Ireland’s most famous driving route, stretching over 2,500 kilometres along the western coastline. Don’t let the total distance put you off; most families pick a section rather than attempting the whole thing. The stretch between Galway and Dingle takes in Connemara’s brooding mountains, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Dingle Peninsula, all of which genuinely stop you in your tracks. Campsites along this stretch range from well-equipped parks to small farm sites with spectacular views.
The Ring of Kerry
A classic for a reason. The Ring of Kerry loops around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, and on a clear day the combination of mountains, ocean, and green valleys is about as good as it gets. The roads are manageable for campervans, though some of the mountain passes are narrow, so it’s worth factoring that in when choosing your vehicle size. Killarney makes a great base if you want to explore with a day trip before committing to the full loop.
The Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
If you’re happy to cross into Northern Ireland, the Causeway Coastal Route from Belfast to Derry is one of the most dramatic short drives in Europe. The Giant’s Causeway is an obvious highlight and genuinely worth the visit with children, but the coastal scenery along the whole route is spectacular. Many families combine a few days on this stretch with time in the Republic, treating the island as one big itinerary.
Choosing the right vehicle
Ireland’s rural roads can be narrow, particularly in the west. A smaller campervan is easier to handle on single-track lanes and also means you can fit into more campsite pitches without worrying. For families of four, a standard campervan with a fixed double and a pull-out or bunk arrangement for the children tends to work well. For five or six people, a mid-size motorhome gives you the extra room without being unwieldy on country roads.
The simplest way to compare what’s available for your dates is to use a platform like Campstar, which lists campervans and motorhomes from suppliers across Ireland and lets you filter by vehicle type, size, and pick-up location. Having options from multiple providers in one place makes it much easier to find the right fit.
A few practical tips before you set off
Ireland is famously changeable when it comes to the weather. Pack layers and a decent waterproof jacket for every member of the family, and embrace the possibility of rain. Some of the most memorable camping mornings involve mist and hot drinks, and a wet beach is still a beach.
Connectivity can be patchy in rural areas, which most families find is actually a good thing. Download your maps offline before you leave populated areas, pick up a local SIM if you need reliable data, and lean into the slightly unplugged feeling.
Wild camping rules in Ireland are more relaxed than in many parts of the UK, but it’s always worth checking local permissions and leaving any spot as you found it. For a first trip, sticking to established sites and exploring from there gives you the best of both worlds.
Most importantly, leave the schedule looser than you think you need to. Ireland rewards the families who stop when something catches their eye, whether that’s a signpost for a beach no one has heard of or a field full of standing stones. The best moments tend to be the unplanned ones.
Have you taken the family to Ireland in a campervan? I’d love to hear your favourite spots and any tips for first-timers in the comments below.
