Motorhome Hire — Ireland

Ireland is one of the most rewarding motorhome destinations accessible from the United Kingdom, and the journey across the Irish Sea is far simpler than many travellers assume. The combination of dramatic Atlantic coastline, rolling green countryside, a rich history that stretches back thousands of years, and a culture of hospitality that is famous the world over makes Ireland a motorhome touring destination of the highest order. From our Pontefract depot, the ferry ports serving Ireland are within comfortable driving distance, and once you arrive, the pace of life slows to something genuinely restorative.

Getting to Ireland from Yorkshire involves a short ferry crossing from one of several ports. The most practical options are Liverpool to Dublin (around eight hours, with overnight sailings available), Holyhead to Dublin (just under two hours, the fastest crossing), or Cairnryan in south-west Scotland to Belfast (two hours and fifteen minutes). Liverpool is around two hours from Pontefract, Holyhead around four hours via the A55, and Cairnryan around four and a half hours via the M6 and M74. Several ferry operators serve these routes, including Irish Ferries, Stena Line, and P&O, and all accommodate motorhomes of every size in our fleet.

Dublin, the Irish capital, is a city of literary heritage, Georgian architecture, and an energy that buzzes from the cobbled streets of Temple Bar to the tranquil greens of Trinity College. The Book of Kells, an illuminated medieval manuscript held in the Trinity College Old Library, is one of the treasures of European civilisation. The Guinness Storehouse, set in the old brewery at St James's Gate, tells the story of Ireland's most famous export and rewards visitors with a pint and panoramic views from the Gravity Bar. Kilmainham Gaol, the prison that held the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, is among the most powerful historical sites on the island.

The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland's flagship touring route and one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. Stretching 2,500 kilometres from Malin Head in Donegal to Kinsale in Cork, it follows the western seaboard through landscapes of staggering beauty. The Cliffs of Moher, rising 214 metres above the Atlantic in County Clare, are the most visited natural attraction in Ireland. The Burren, a unique limestone landscape of karst pavement, underground rivers, and wildflowers that grow nowhere else in Ireland, lies just to the north. Both are within easy reach of campsites in the Clare and Galway area.

The Ring of Kerry, a 179-kilometre circuit of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, is one of the classic motorhome drives in Europe. The route passes through the colourful towns of Kenmare and Cahersiveen, skirts the shores of Lough Leane in Killarney National Park, and offers views across the Atlantic to the Skellig Islands - the remote rocky pinnacles that served as a filming location for Star Wars. Killarney itself, with its Victorian hotels, jaunting cars, and the lakes and mountains of the national park, is one of Ireland's most popular bases for touring the south-west.

Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, is reached directly via the Cairnryan to Belfast ferry or overland from the Republic. The Causeway Coastal Route, running from Belfast to Londonderry along the Antrim coast, rivals any coastal drive in Britain. The Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity, is the headline attraction. The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the Dark Hedges (an avenue of beech trees made famous by Game of Thrones), and the nine Glens of Antrim add up to a coastal experience that is truly outstanding.

The west of Ireland beyond the Wild Atlantic Way offers its own treasures. Connemara, in County Galway, is a landscape of bog, mountain, and lake that feels genuinely wild. The Aran Islands, reached by ferry from Rossaveal or Doolin, preserve a Gaelic-speaking culture and stone-walled landscapes that have changed little in centuries. Galway city, compact and sociable, has a thriving arts scene, outstanding seafood restaurants, and a street busking culture that fills the medieval lanes with music every evening.

Practical considerations for motorhoming in Ireland include driving on the left (as in the UK), which makes the transition seamless. Roads in rural Ireland can be narrow, but they are generally well-maintained and quiet. Speed limits are in kilometres per hour in the Republic and miles per hour in Northern Ireland. Fuel prices are broadly similar to the UK. Campsite provision is more limited than in Britain, but the network of caravan and camping parks is growing, and many pubs and farms offer informal overnight parking for motorhomes with the owner's permission.

Irish food and drink have undergone a revolution. Beyond the traditional stew and soda bread - both still excellent - Ireland now has a food scene that celebrates its Atlantic seafood, grass-fed beef, farmhouse cheeses, and artisan producers. The English Market in Cork, the Saturday market in Galway, and the food trail around West Cork are all outstanding. Irish whiskey has enjoyed a remarkable revival, with distilleries from Midleton to Dingle offering tours and tastings. And a pint of Guinness, poured properly in a proper pub with a traditional music session in the corner, remains one of the finest experiences in European travel.

Ireland has a way of getting under your skin. The landscapes are beautiful, the history is fascinating, but it is the people and the culture that bring you back. A motorhome gives you the freedom to follow the coast roads, linger in the villages, and discover the Ireland that lies beyond the tour bus routes. From our Pontefract depot, the whole island is within reach, and once you get there, you will not want to leave.