Veteran traveller, Mark David, tries swapping the wide open spaces of the Australian Otback for the scenic – but narrow and twisty – roads of western Ireland … and has the time of his life.
‘While travelling Australia will always be my first love, I’ve been lucky enough to tent, caravan, or motorhome my way around places like the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Germany … and I’ve loved every second of it.
In each country, I’ve met some incredible people and learnt a bit, too!
And I’m delighted I can now say the same about Ireland. I’ve just spent four weeks in the Emerald Isle’s remote and rugged west and had the time of my life.
A scenic camp on the Sneem River in County Kerry, Ireland.
An RV Park in Bantry .. I found Ireland well set up for motorhoming. PIC: Mark David
I’m not used to travelling in a compact little campervan but, with family in the UK lending me a vehicle, I certainly wasn’t going to complain!
Indeed, travelling around some of the spectacular peninsulas in the south-west I’m actually delighted I wasn’t in anything bigger! While the scenery is mind-blowing, some of the roads are narrow and twisty! And those blind corners can get that bit more hairy when, on routes like the legendary Ring Of Kerry, you are confronted by a series of tourist coaches coming in the opposite direction.
From my observations, in this part of the country at least, it is motorhomes and campervans that rule the roost with caravans a surprisingly rare sight.
This is Ireland so travellers are all but guaranteed a warm welcome, and there’s a real camaraderie of the road.
The country seems wonderfully set up for motorhome travellers … and it’s affordable. A night at Goosey Island on the banks of the Sneem River on the Ring of Kerry (pictured top of the page) costs about A$22 per night per vehicle, and another A$7.50 if you want power.’
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