Relaxed touring, Natural beauty, and the Wild Atlantic Coast
The Emerald Isle. Before you’ve travelled far in this country you’ll be enchanted and captivated by the land, its people and its wonderful laid-back atmosphere. Enjoy late Summer as we tour around almost the entire coastline of both the North and the Republic, all in a relaxed manner.
The major population centres tend toward the east coast. Whilst there will be an opportunity for visits into Belfast and Dublin, this tour really focuses on the much more rural areas of the south and west coasts. It is here that Blarney, Bantry, The Ring of Kerry, The Dingle Peninsular, The Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and Ballina are all found, as we travel leisurely along the Wild Atlantic Way of the Republic.
We start near Belfast, and then onto Dublin before moving onto the coast and countryside and ending up at Bushmills on the North Coast. Here is home to the famous Bushmills Distillery and the natural phenomenon of the Giants Causeway.
This tour offers wonderful travel in your own motorhome, in lovely locations whilst remaining socially distanced as required at the time of travel.
’The stunning Irish scenery and hospitality, coupled with the ability to interact with the group made our first post lockdown long trip truly memorable. Thanks to Ron & Sue for again juggling changing circumstances to deliver memories and experiences for all,’ Jackie & Andy Kitchin – A Journey Around Ireland – June 2021
‘In all the circumstances, this trip proved ideal. Euros, Kilometres and the Garlic gave us that crucial continental air, we felt that we were abroad. Ron & Sue managed the campsites and meals brilliantly and smoothing our way at all times. The meals and venues were all up to GB Motorhome Tours standard and there can be no higher praise.’ Margaret & Joe Ratcliffe – A Journey Around Ireland – June 2021
‘A great trip around Ireland considering all the restrictions at the moment. We both appreciate the input from Ron & Sue, made into making this a memorable and sociable trip. We really look forward to next years tour.’ Sue & Al Colley – A Journey Around Ireland – June 2021
‘Another enjoyable holiday with GB Motorhome Tours. Ron & Sue worked hard under difficult circumstances to ensure everything went well. As we have come to expect, all the included meals were excellent.’ June & Graham Perkins – A Journey Around Ireland – June 2021
Day One – Tuesday 31st August
We meet at a well-appointed campsite near Stranraer. Late afternoon the Tour Directors will host a welcome get together. A chance to meet fellow travelling companions and to learn a little more about the adventure ahead.
Day Two – Wednesday 1st September
Today we take the ferry from Cairnryan to Larne (Northern Ireland). The crossing is around 2 hours. Upon departing we have 30 miles to our campsite located on the southern edge of Belfast. 5 miles to Cairnryan port then 30 to campsite
Day Three – Thursday 2nd September
Free day – we are on the main bus route into Belfast, or you could drive to the Titanic Exhibition Centre located just 5 miles from our campsite
Day Four – Friday 3rd September
Free day – Stormont Parliament Building is only a 30 minutes walk from the campsite
Day Five – Saturday 4th September
Heading south and crossing the border we reach Dublin today. Our campsite is situated outside of the city within the grounds of Corkagh Valley Park 120 miles
Day Six – Sunday 5th September
An opportunity to visit Dublin. From outside our campsite runs the bus directly into the city, home to Molly Malone and Guinness. For those not wishing to go into the city the campsite and local park are a peaceful place to be.
Day Seven – Monday 6th September
A return visit to Dublin or take a relaxing walk to enjoy the park or visit the local shops. Alternately a drive to Glendalough, Powerscourt Gardens with the backdrop of the Wicklow Panorama will make for a good day out.
Day Eight – Tuesday 7th September
We arrive on the south coast to a well-kept campsite at Wexford. This evening we have a group dinner in a local restaurant with fine views out to sea. 90 miles
Day Nine – Wednesday 8th September
Free day to walk around the nature area or take a trip into Wexford
Day Ten – Thursday 9th September
We move on to our next campsite which is located north of Cork City at Blarney. 116 miles
Day Eleven – Friday 10th September
Today you can kiss the Blarney Stone as the Castle and Gardens are not too far away from our campsite
Day Twelve – Saturday 11th September
Our next campsite is on the top of the Beara Peninsula. 90 miles
Day Thirteen – Sunday 12th September
A free day. You can drive down to the end of the Beara Peninsula, passing Bere Island on your left, to see the Dursey Cable Car passing over to the island. 70 miles. Alternately, the picturesque village of Glengarriff is only 2km away
Day Fourteen – Monday 13th September
Today we pick up the start of the ‘Ring of Kerry’ and will cover just half of the ‘Ring’ giving us all day to enjoy the great scenery this route is rightly famous for. 70 miles
Day Fifteen – Tuesday 14th September
We are now halfway round the ‘Ring of Kerry’ but rather than push on today we have the whole day to enjoy the wonderful location and surroundings of our coastal campsite.
Day Sixteen – Wednesday 15th September
Moving further north to our next campsite on the outskirts of Killarney where we will stay for four nights. 40 miles
Day Seventeen – Thursday 16th September
Relaxing day or you could drive up to the Gap of Dunloe, 10 miles, and take a jaunting car (pony and trap) ride through the gap.
Day Eighteen – Friday 17th September
Plenty of opportunities today. Take a walk into Killarney town centre (1 mile), make a visit to the Killarney National park by bicycle/motorhome. Muckross House is just 3 miles down the road with easy motorhome parking.
Day Nineteen – Saturday 18th September
Another day to explore the wonderful walks and countryside of this area
Day Twenty – Sunday 19th September
Doolin is our destination today which is reputed to be the heart of traditional music and is situated overlooking the Cliffs of Moher from where you can see and witness the Atlantic rollers crashing into the cliffs. On route take time to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park just north of Limerick 118 miles
Day Twenty-one – Monday 20th September
The next two days have been left free for you to relax and enjoy the area. Have a coffee whilst looking out to sea towards the Aran Islands and maybe take a boat trip to view the cliffs from the sea.
Day Twenty-two – Tuesday 21st September
Final day to take in the beauty of this area. An optional trip to the Arran Islands could be arranged
Day Twenty-three – Wednesday 22nd September
Continue along the Wild Atlantic Way to our next coastal campsite in the north of Connemara. 100 miles
Day Twenty-four – Thursday 23rd September
Our family-owned campsite is situated directly on a sandy beach with views of Clew Bay.
Day Twenty-five – Friday 24th September
Moving on next to Westport, a town on the edge of an Atlantic inlet, on Ireland’s west coast. In the Georgian town centre, stone bridges link the tree-lined promenade on the banks of the Carrowbeg River. On route stop off to see Kylemore Abbey & the Victorian Walled Garden. 35 miles
Day Twenty-six – Saturday 25th September
Free day and time to visit Westport, the town or Westport House within the parkland.
Day Twenty-seven – Sunday 26th September
Our destination today is a family owned campsite in Belcoo, which has half of the village in the Republic and half in Northern Ireland. 90 miles.
Day Twenty-eight – Monday 27th September
Free day – tucked away, this five star campsite overlooks the Lough Macnean
Day Twenty-nine – Tuesday 28th September
Return to the coast today, this time the north coast. We arrive to a well-appointed campsite at Bushmills. 85 miles
Day Thirty – Wednesday 29th September
The Giants Causeway is likely to be your destination for today. This can be reached by a coastal walk of around 5 miles, bicycle or by local small gauge railway. The famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is also within reach, but only for the more adventurous to cross.
Day Thirty-one – Thursday 30th September
Free day to relax, or you could take the local bus to Portrush which is a small seaside resort town or explore the local area further including seeing the distillery of the world-renowned Bushmills whiskey. This evening we will walk into town (10 minutes) for a ‘Farewell dinner’.
Day Thirty-two – Friday 1st October
We have an easy drive to Larne for our return ferry to Cairnryan, 2 hour crossing where our tour comes to an end. If you wish to return to our campsite in Stranraer for the night, this can be arranged at an optional cost 50 miles + 5 to Campsite
VISITS TO PLACES OF INTEREST
- All visits are left for individuals to decide which they would like to make and are not arranged/included in the tour. Throughout the time away the Tour Directors will be on hand to assist with any bookings. Note some attractions may require online pre-booking/paying.
GROUP MEALS
- 5 group meals with wine are included in the tour *
PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people = £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £0000
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- Return Cairnryan to Larne ferry crossing
- 31 Campsite nights with electric hook-ups
- Welcome to Ireland drinks reception
- 5 group meals with wine *
- Michelin Ireland Map
- DK Guidebook
- Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome
*Meals will be arranged throughout the tour. Locations will be chosen whilst on the tour to aim for the correct weather with ideally meals being planned outdoors. If meals are moved inside, they will proceed to social distancing guidelines.