For reasons unknown, I hadn’t visited Ireland before – Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. Perhaps I thought it too close and, therefore, too much like home. However, my nine-day trip proved otherwise, as we enjoyed lunch with strangers, had ghostly apparitions appear in a crowded city, got locked in a County Cork cell, and realised that golf isn’t a game to be trifled with. Welcome to the Republic of Ireland.

Living in Southern England, my ferry of choice was the Stena Line Fishguard to Rosslare service. This is a three-and-a-half-hour crossing and is much like any cross-channel service, although sailing times are somewhat limited.

A few folks had mentioned the choppy nature of the Irish Sea, but apart from a few undulations on our way out, the crossing was one of the smoothest I’ve experienced. We travelled during the peak summer holiday season, which made for busy seating areas, although we paid a small fee on our return journey for the upstairs lounge, which rewarded us with comfortable recliners. Coffee was included in the lounge admission fee, and should you buy two coffees during a typical crossing, you’ll recoup much of the cost.

The ports may be smaller than those used to cross the English Channel, especially Fishguard, but there is plenty of room for larger caravans and motorhomes. Port Duty Free prices were incredibly keen, too. Talking of prices, I booked sites and crossings through The Caravan and Motorhome Club as member discounts are sizable.

With this being our first tour of Ireland, this is by no means an exhaustive guide. Our original plan was to follow part of The Wild Atlantic Way – a 1600-mile stretch of rugged coastline – but as so often happens, it gradually morphed into a completely different trip. Dublin, Cork and Tipperary span a significant part of the Republic of Ireland, and with county divisions promising a different feel at each location, a new and improved itinerary soon fell into place.

County Wicklow

Our journey began at River Valley Caravan Park, just ninety minutes north of Rosslare and an hour south of Dublin. Dublin is an obvious draw, and River Valley allows visitors to explore the vibrant medieval streets, although we decided to explore a different attraction instead.

With Ireland’s first book about trees to his name, keen naturalist Samuel Hayes countered the disappearance of trees with managed woodland and the creation of a forest park. Today, these trees can be admired from above thanks to the Beyond the Trees attraction, which guides walkers and motorised wheelchair users up a wooden spiral that towers above the landscape. For those not wishing to walk back down, an optional slide deposits visitors at the foot of the spiral in double-quick time.

I was repeatedly told that our visit coincided with Ireland’s busiest week when much of the population takes advantage of the holidays. With this in mind, I pictured our visit to Brittas Bay Beach to be busy, but the reality was very different. Granted, the sandy stretches were more popular than the sea – the chilly nature of the Irish Sea made sure of that – but beyond the supervised Lifeguard area, vast stretches of golden sand were unoccupied, with much of it being free of people, towels, or footprints.

County Cork

Heading southwest, our next stop was Blarney Caravan and Camping Park. Favoured by many leisure vehicle owners as a gateway to The Wild Atlantic Way that begins nearby at Old Head of Kinsale, the location is perfect for nearby Cork, Cobh, or Blarney Castle. During our three-night stay, we explored each location in turn, following the footsteps of early Cork inhabitants by visiting Cork City Gaol during the day and joining Cork Ghost Tour in the evening. Both give an eery glimpse into the city’s past, although the ghost tour brought the streets to life thanks to a great host and an extra who jumped into the crowd at unsuspecting moments. The Titanic Experience is a must, as Cobh, or Queenstown as it was once known, was Titanic’s last port of call before it continued its ill-fated journey towards America.

No visit to Blarney would be complete without visiting the world-famous stone in the equally famous castle. A lunchtime visit during peak season was unsurprisingly busy, but an early or late visit would minimise queues if you, like us, travel during the school holidays.

County Tipperary

Our final stop is Glen of Aherlow Caravan & Camping Park, a peaceful campsite just 10 minutes south of Tipperary.

As we were well into our second week, we were happy to relax and limit our exploration to Tipperary, Limerick, and Cashel. Many folks recommended the nearby Glen of Aherlow viewpoint, which is easily identifiable thanks to an enormous statue of Christ that keeps watch over the stunning countryside. Parking is free and plentiful, and with a picnic eaten and the view soaked up, the road continues to nearby Tipperary.

Another must-visit historical site is the Rock of Cashel. This majestic fortress sits atop the town and is home to a collection of medieval buildings, including a cathedral, a round tower, and a chapel. Intricate carvings tell stories of the site, such as the tale of St. Patrick converting the King of Munster to Christianity.

River Valley Caravan Park

This site is extensive, family-friendly, and divided into sections. One of these sections is adult-only. I’m sure many River Valley visitors remain on site for the duration of their stay thanks to a vast array of activities, including karting, football golf, a huge playpark, and various events and activities on the green. The on-site pub and restaurant, Mickey Finn’s, proved popular, serving good food.

Blarney Caravan & Camping Park

Named after the nearby town of Blarney and its world-famous castle, the site is incredibly well-tended and is family-owned. It has a large playpark and football facilities for the children and an 18-hole pitch & putt next door, for which an extra charge applies. Easy access to nearby Cork. It’s worth noting that campsite owner, Con, often attends the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC. If there, he can be found on the Ireland stand. Please go and have a chat; he’s a great guy.

Glen of Aherlow

The site is just ten minutes south of Tipperary and is watched over by the imposing Galtee Mountains. Various walking routes begin from the site or nearby car parks, with some being flat and offering an easy-to-follow circular route. Others lead to the nearby mountain tops. One chap I spoke to pitched his tent facing the mountains to psych himself up before climbing to the top. Some may use the site as a base to conquer the Galtee Mountains, but others are more than happy to sit back and relax.

Before touring the Republic of Ireland with a caravan, I wasn’t sure if the warm Irish welcome was a cliché kept alive by tourism agencies, but this welcome extended to each area we visited and appeared to be part of the culture. A simple hello led to meals, evening drinks, or a friendly chat in the street.

With this being our first trip to the Republic of Ireland, and nine days barely scratching the surface, our wish list for future trips grew as our Irish trip progressed. There’s just too much to see and do in a single trip, so should you be tempted to explore the Emerald Isle, treat your first journey as a fact-finding mission before booking again to explore in depth.