Taking a campervan tour around Ireland and Northern Ireland is one of the best ways to soak in the landscape and epic scenery. Traveling around Ireland in a camper also eliminates the expensive and often stressful task of arranging transportation and lodging around the country throughout your vacation.
Our 14-day itinerary will guide you from the top tip of Northern Ireland, into the Republic of Ireland, down the rugged coastline and circling back up the east side of the country. You can expect to see mountain peaks, turquoise beaches, and thriving wildlife on your campervan tour.
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Cobh, pronounced "cove," is a charming harbor town located on the south coast of County Cork. The town sits on a harbor with colorful terraced houses steeped in a rich history. It was the location of the RMS Titanic’s final port of call before it embarked on its fateful maiden voyage in 1912. It is also where 2.5 million Irish people emigrated to North America, particularly during the Great Famine (1845-1852).
Titanic Experience Cobh
With an immersive audio tour and virtual guide, a visit to the Titanic Experience provides an educational experience about the final passengers who boarded the RMS Titanic and the history of the ship’s connection with Cobh. Tickets can be bought ahead of time.
Spike Island
Spike Island was the world’s largest prison in the 1850s. The unique attraction offers a complete tour of the outer island and fortress by expressive tour guides sharing history and knowledge of the island’s past. A ferry ride is required to cross over to the island.
Heading back up the east side of Ireland and less than 2 hours from Cobh is Kilkenny, a town brimming with museums, cobblestone streets, and charmingly quintessential Irish pubs.
Kilkenny Castle
This impressive 12th-century Norman castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, open to visitors throughout the year and with free access to the castle grounds. It has been extensively restored and now houses a museum and art gallery—venture inside the castle walls by purchasing a ticket.
Medieval Mile Museum
The Medieval Mile is a stretch of narrow, winding streets connecting Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral. The Medieval Mile Museum is at the starting point of the ‘Medieval Mile’ trail and offers visitors a detailed look at Kilkenny’s treasures paired with Gaelic monastic heritage. The museum has a small admission fee, and you can book ahead.
The Smithwick's Experience
A visit to Kilkenny would only be complete with stopping at Smithwick's Brewery, brewing Irish ale since the 18th century. The Smithwick's Experience offers visitors a guided tour of the old brewery, sharing the history and process of brewing Smithwick's ale.
The vibrant and historic city of Dublin is less than 2 hours from Kilkenny and is known for its rich literary heritage, lively pub culture, and significant landmarks. The hardest part will be narrowing down the things you want to do during your time in the city!
Trinity College Dublin
Founded in 1592, Trinity College is Ireland's oldest and most prestigious university. Its campus, situated in the heart of the city, is home to the magnificent Long Room Library and the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating back to the 9th century.
Guinness Storehouse
Dublin is home to the famous Guinness Brewery, where the iconic stout has been produced since 1759. The Guinness Storehouse is a popular attraction, offering interactive exhibits about the brewing process and a rooftop bar with panoramic city views.
Roe and Co Distillery
A modern Irish whiskey distillery located in the heart of Dublin's Liberties district that adds to the rich tapestry of Dublin's thriving whiskey scene. Known for adding modern innovations to traditional Irish whiskey, a guided tour provides an insight into the whiskey-making process along with a tasting session.
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, so crossing back over from Dublin, you'll have to change currency back to British pounds again for the final leg of your Irish campervan vacation. Belfast has a long and complex political history. However, it has undergone significant regeneration in recent years and has emerged as a popular tourist destination offering a unique and authentic experience.
Political murals
Belfast is known for its political murals, which can be found throughout the city, particularly in the Shankill and Falls Road neighborhoods. These murals reflect the city's complex political history and the ongoing peace process.
Belfast Castle
Belfast Castle is an elegant and historic landmark located on the slopes of Cave Hill. With delightful gardens and fairytale woodlands, it’s a romantic attraction in the city, free to enter and explore. See if you can spot some owls and sparrowhawks! The surrounding Cave Hill Country Park offers walking trails, woodland, and stunning panoramic views over Belfast.
Ulster Museum
Located in the heart of Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, providing visitors with displays of art, history, and natural science in one of the city’s most picturesque areas. The museum is free to visit, has a cafe onsite, and is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Ballintoy is a popular village for tourists thanks to its stunning views, hidden beaches, and as the filming location in the famous series 'Game of Thrones'.
Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge enables visitors to cross over to Carrick-A-Rede Island on a suspension rope bridge that's not for the faint-hearted! There's a small fee for crossing over the bridge, and it's a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself and be rewarded with breathtaking views before, during, and after the crossing.
Ballintoy Harbor
Access to Ballintoy Harbor is via a steep and winding road that may not be well suited to large RVs, so if you're renting a camper that's on the larger side, it may be wise to park elsewhere and take a scenic stroll to the harbor instead. With rugged cliffs, crystal waters, and a cafe, Ballintoy Harbor is a great way to spend a day in the village.
Just over an hour's drive southwest from Ballintoy brings you back to Londonderry, the final destination on your circular campervan tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Tower Museum
Housed in a distinctive circular tower, the museum features exhibits from fine art and music to social history and archaeology—it's easy to spend a few hours here. Don't forget to enjoy panoramic views of the city from the museum's rooftop viewing platform. There is a small admission fee to enter.
Brooke Park
When the sun is pouring its rays over the city, a trip to Brooke Park is an excellent location for panoramic views of the urban landscape in all its glory—a perfect ending place for your remarkable two-week adventure.
Along with being Ireland's last remaining Walled City, Londonderry is also home to some of the greatest festivals in the world. Londonderry is the ideal location to begin your campervan excursion because of its proximity to the Republic of Ireland's border, which means you can drive across and complete a circular route of both countries.
City Walls
Learning about the events that shaped Northern Ireland into the place it is today will help give you the knowledge to appreciate its turbulent history. Taking a tour around the City Walls will unveil information boards, memorials, and street art—all of which paint an accurate picture of Londonderry's past.
Peace Bridge
Attractions like the Peace Bridge offer a sense of forgiveness and unity, connecting formerly opposing sides of the city. As the bridge gets lit up at night, it's a fantastic place for an evening walk across the River Foyle.
The small coastal town of Dunfanaghy is only an hour from Londonderry and is a pleasure to visit, with many of Ireland’s stunning attractions nearby.
TIP: Be sure to exchange some money before heading to Dunfanaghy, as currency changes from British pounds in Northern Ireland to euros in the Republic of Ireland.
Horn Head
A dramatic peninsula with cliff-top walks offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Tory Island, and the surrounding countryside. So throw on some hiking boots and crunch some miles to take in Ireland’s beauty on the stunning Horn Head peninsula. As you trek along the rugged coastline, expect to see plenty of wildlife, like birds and sheep.
Dunfanaghy Bay
With a large parking lot, white sand, and incredible views out to sea, Dunfanaghy Bay is an idyllic location to visit on your Irish campervan adventure.
Along with being one of the main Irish-speaking villages in the country, Gweedore is also home to blissfully unspoiled beaches and challenging mountain peaks for keen hikers.
Mount Errigal & The Poisoned Glen
The tallest peak in County Donegal is Mount Errigal, and a 3-hour hike to the summit will reward climbers with some of the most astounding views of Ireland’s natural beauty below. Nestled at the foot of Mount Errigal, The Poisoned Glen, a picturesque valley, is known for its stunning landscapes, a mix of lush greenery, cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. Despite the ominous name, The Poisoned Glen is a beautiful and serene location that attracts visitors looking to experience the natural beauty of County Donegal.
TIP: The drive to The Poisoned Glen, through a valley in the Glenveagh National Park, provides an unbeatable view.
Less than an hour south of Gweedore is the small town of Ardara, where tourists can step back in time and enjoy the charming pubs, restaurants, and cafes in the area. Ardara is also home to the Cup of Tae Festival, which celebrates Irish music and independent musicians from all over the country.
Kilclooney Dolmen
Just a 10-minute walk from the Dolmen center is the Kilclooney Dolmen, an ancient megalithic monument standing proudly in Ireland’s vast landscape. There’s no admission fee, so you can take your time and enjoy the incredible scenery as you hike to the monument.
Maghera Beach and Caves
Depending on the tide, a trip to Maghera Beach and Caves offers sand dunes, an endless sandy beach, and multiple caves to explore. However, be sure to keep an eye on what the ocean is doing, as getting stuck in the caves when the tide is coming in isn’t the safest idea!
Sligo is one of the most popular locations on the Wild Atlantic Way, so expect to see tourists from all over the world dipping into the cold water and catching plenty of surf. Away from the coastline, Sligo also has a majestic landscape worth exploring.
Benbulben
The protected site of Benbulben is known as Ireland's 'Table Mountain' and offers a far less intense hike compared to other peaks in the country. With many legends surrounding the impressive mountain, it's the ideal place to explore some Irish mythology.
Glencar Lake
With a parking lot, restrooms, and cafe at Glencar Lake, a visit in your campervan can be matched perfectly with some tasty Irish cuisine. The lake offers breathtaking views, and even if the weather isn't the most pleasant, it will add to the ambiance of the lake.
Westport is a town with bustling Irish pubs, history, and culture while also being a haven for foodie lovers. As one of Ireland’s six national parks is nearby—Wild Nephin National Park, Westport is also a place to delve even deeper into the landscape.
Westport House and Gardens
Visitors to Westport House can take guided tours of the stately home, which features exquisitely decorated rooms, original artwork, and a fascinating collection of antiques and memorabilia. The house also has a history steeped in the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, a notable ancestor of the Browne family.
The surrounding gardens at Westport House are equally impressive, boasting beautifully landscaped grounds and stunning views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick.
The Coffin Ship
The Coffin Ship is a poignant bronze sculpture that serves as a memorial to the victims of the Great Famine of 1845-1852, during which approximately one million people in Ireland died of starvation and disease, and another million emigrated to escape the hardships on overcrowded ships, nicknamed "coffin ships". The memorial is a powerful reminder of the suffering and loss experienced during the Great Famine and a tribute to those who left Ireland in search of a better life.
Continuing south from Westport for just over an hour will bring you to Galway, a colorful city rich in music, culture, and art. Galway holds many of Ireland’s festivals throughout the year, so it’s worth checking what events are happening during your visit for an experience you won’t forget. One fun festival is the Galway Oyster Festival. It’s celebrated annually in September, showcasing the world-famous Galway oysters and other seafood delicacies. The festival features oyster shucking competitions, seafood tasting events, live music, and street parades.
Connemara National Park
With over 4942 acres to explore, Connemara National Park has plenty of trails and hikes of differing intensities, among them peaks such as Bencorr and Benfree.
Galway Cathedral
Being one of the city’s most iconic structures, Galway Cathedral boasts a striking roof, intricate architecture, and a bold interior. With no admission fee, you can explore the stunning cathedral without eating into your vacation budget.
The town of Killarney is known for its world-famous lakes and stunning mountain backdrop. Renowned for being a warm and welcoming town for tourists, visiting Killarney will put a smile on anyone's face and make you feel at home.
Ross Castle
With no admission fee and guided tours available, a visit to Ross Castle when traveling through Killarney must be on your itinerary! The castle's exterior looks spectacular against the surrounding scenery of Muckross Lake, so even if the castle isn't open during your visit, it's still worth venturing down and taking in the sights.
Killarney National Park
One of Ireland's six national parks, Killarney National Park is home to the country's tallest mountain range, abundant waterfalls, lakes, castles, and wildlife.
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