Top 10 campervan sites to visit in Ireland

RTÉ News​

5 days ago

From wild coastlines to cosy campgrounds, travel journalist Deirdre Mullins picks her favourite campervan sites in Ireland.
When Covid hit, and it became clear that my favourite pastime, international travel, was off the cards indefinitely, I finally did something I'd been putting on the long finger for years: I bought a campervan. I was lucky enough to get in early, before the mad rush on campervans, and scored a 2003 Fiat Ducato motorhome.
It had everything I needed: a bed, a cooker, a fridge and even a toilet and shower. At a time when passports were useless, this tiny home on wheels became my passport to freedom. What started as a pandemic compromise turned into a way of life.
For the past five years, I've spent my summers trundling along coastal roads, up winding boreens, and through lashing rain in search of the perfect campsite or at least somewhere to boil the kettle without being moved on.
Music festivals have never been more comfortable with a dry bed to return to at the end of a long day in a muddy field.
Ireland is not as well-equipped as our European neighbours when it comes to facilities; we still have a way to go. However, what we do have are some cracking campsites tucked into the wild and beautiful corners of the country.
Here are my top 10 campervan sites in Ireland, tried and tested over countless cups of tea and late-night stargazing.
Goleen Harbour, West Cork
Goleen Harbour feels more like a sanctuary than a campsite. Pitches come with sweeping Atlantic views out to Cape Clear and the Fastnet Lighthouse. The site has been lovingly built by its friendly owners, Melanie and Matt, and utilises solar energy and composting toilets, promoting a minimal footprint and connection to the wild landscape.
Wandering around the campsite, you'll come across horses, beehives, and find crystal clear waters in rocky pools to swim in. Goleen Harbour also hosts lively music events, from cosy trad sessions to DJ nights under the stars. Otherwise, evenings are best spent soaking in the wood-fired hot tub, toasting marshmallows at the fire pit, or strolling into Goleen village for a quiet pint.
Within a 10-minute drive are some of West Cork's most beautiful beaches: Barleycove, Ballyrisode, and Galley Cove. And just up the road, Schull and Skibbereen offer a dose of small-town charm, with cafés, craft shops, and a brilliant weekly market.
Fanore Caravan Park, Co. Clare
Wedged between the wild Atlantic and the limestone folds of the Burren, Fanore Caravan Park is a windswept beauty in West Clare. The site is simple but perfectly placed, right on a golden beach that draws surfers, swimmers, and sunset chasers.
One evening, from high up on the sand dunes, my friends and I had the joy of watching the sun set behind the Aran Islands just as the moon rose over the Burren hills, one of those rare, pinch-me moments.
Fanore is an excellent base for exploring the Burren's strange, lunar landscape, hiking Black Head, or strolling to the local pub, O'Donoghue's, for a plate of fish and chips and a pint of plain.
The campsite facilities are basic but clean, and the setting more than makes up for the lack of frills. There is no website, so if you want to book, phone: [phone].
Tucked away on a private stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way, just 10 km from Clifden, this beauty is run by eco-conscious owners who have created Ireland's first climate-neutral campsite. It feels more like a retreat than a traditional holiday park.
Pitches are spaced out across a grassy headland with panoramic views of the Atlantic and have access to a private beach. It's a peaceful escape where less is more. Days here are for morning sea swims, barefoot strolls to nearby Omey Island at low tide, and starlit evenings with a flask of tea in hand.
This family-friendly campsite is tucked into a secluded corner of Lough Key Forest Park. The facilities are excellent, and the 45 landscaped campervan pitches offer ample privacy, complete with electricity and water points throughout.
When I visited, it was quiet, and I had my pick of spots to choose from. Pitch 38 is perfect if you're seeking seclusion and a genuine sense of being immersed in nature. I parked my van beneath a massive old redwood, and it was blissful sitting there, listening to the birdsong.
The campsite is a five-minute stroll from the Lough Key Visitor Centre and Lakeside Café, where you can grab a coffee, explore the treetop walk, or head out onto the water. There's free WiFi in the main building if you really must check in with the outside world, but I'd recommend you don't. It's the perfect spot for a digital detox.
Set on the shores of Lough Erne in the heart of the Fermanagh Lakelands, Castle Archdale Caravan Park is a large, well-kept site ideal for anyone who enjoys a mix of outdoor activity and lakeside calm. There are hardstanding and grass pitches with electric hook-ups, solid facilities, and plenty of space to spread out.
It's popular with families, but the site is big enough that it rarely feels crowded. The real joy here is the setting: you're right inside Castle Archdale Country Park, with forest trails, bike hire, boat rentals, and even a small but fascinating WWII museum, which tells the story of the estate's time as an RAF base during the war. The lough is perfect for paddling, swimming, or just sitting back and watching the light shift across the water.
Tucked beneath the Galtee Mountains, this peaceful, family-run campsite is one of Ireland's best inland spots. It's a proper nature escape with sweeping views, fresh air, and walking trails on your doorstep. The facilities are spotless, the pitches are well-spaced, and they are a mix of hardstanding and grass. Forest trails are accessible from the park, and longer hikes can be done in the Galtees.
Tucked along the banks of the River Barrow in the quiet village of Graiguenamanagh, this small but well-equipped campervan site is a brilliant base for exploring one of Ireland's most scenic waterways. There are electric hook-ups, water, and waste disposal, plus picnic tables and direct access to the Barrow towpath.
You can walk or cycle the flat, leafy trail for miles in either direction, paddleboard from the slipway, or sit with a coffee and watch herons glide across the water. Ireland's much-welcomed sauna craze has reached here, too, and you can book a session at Hot Box Sauna and then cool off with a plunge into the river. The village itself has a great mix of pubs, cafés, and shops, all just a short stroll away.
It's a peaceful, low-key stop and perfect if you're after somewhere that feels local, unhurried, and close to nature.
Dickie's Campsite, Ardmore, Co. Waterford
A gently sloping field overlooking the beach in the picturesque village of Ardmore, Dickie's is the definition of laid-back camping. Pitches are unmarked, the vibe is relaxed, and while the facilities are minimal, they're clean and all you need.
The draw here is the setting; wake to the sound of waves, wander down to the beach for a morning swim, then stroll into the village to check out their craft shops, or maybe a drink on the terrace at The Cliffhouse Hotel. When the sun's shining, there's nowhere better to park up and slow down. No reservations here; it's first come, first served, so arrive early if you're travelling in peak season.
Set on a clifftop just south of Wicklow Town, Wolohan's is a long-standing family-run site with one serious selling point: direct access to Silver Strand, a sheltered, sandy beach that feels like a secret. The site itself is simple but spacious, with grassy pitches overlooking the sea and the sound of waves as your nightly soundtrack.
Facilities are solid, with clean toilets, hot showers, and a small shop available during peak season. From sunrise swims to evening strolls along the cliff path, it's a perfect summer stop.
Last but definitely not least, this family-run park has the sea right at its doorstep. As a Skerries native, I've a grá for the underrated North County Dublin coast. Rush is just a short hop from the capital, but it still manages to feel like a proper seaside escape.
The well-equipped campsite is perched on Rush's long, sandy North Beach, ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply soaking in the sea air. Seal sightings are common, and if you're lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or two. Rush itself has a relaxed, lived-in village vibe, with shops, pubs, cafés, and restaurants just a stroll away.