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- Goleen Harbour, West Cork
- Fanore Caravan Park, County Clare
- Clifden Eco Beach Camping & Caravanning Park, County Galway
- Lough Key Forest Camping Park, County Roscommon
- Castle Archdale Caravan Park, County Fermanagh
- Glen of Aherlow Caravan & Camping Park, County Tipperary
- Barrow Valley Activities Hub, Graiguenamanagh, County Carlow
- Dickie’s Campsite, Ardmore, County Waterford
- Wolohan’s Silver Strand Caravan & Camping Park, County Wicklow
- North Beach Caravan Park, Rush, County Dublin
When international travel shut down during the pandemic, I bought a 2003 Fiat Ducato campervan and set out to rediscover Ireland. Five summers later, after countless kettles boiled and nights beneath the stars, these are the ten sites that have kept me coming back.
Goleen Harbour, West Cork
Goleen Harbour feels more like a sheltered community than a typical campsite. Pitches look out over the Atlantic toward Cape Clear and the Fastnet Lighthouse, and the site is run by Melanie and Matt, who have prioritised solar power and composting toilets.
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Visitors will find horses, beehives and rock pools for a bracing swim. Evenings here range from trad music and DJ nights to quieter pleasures: a wood-fired hot tub, marshmallows at the fire pit or a short walk into Goleen village for a pint. Nearby beaches such as Barleycove, Ballyrisode and Galley Cove are within a ten-minute drive, while Schull and Skibbereen provide cafés, craft shops and a lively market.
Fanore Caravan Park, County Clare
Set between the Atlantic and the limestone of the Burren, Fanore Caravan Park occupies a windswept, golden beach that attracts surfers and sunset-watchers. The facilities are basic but clean, and the landscape does the convincing.
From the dunes you can watch the Aran Islands sink into dusk while the moon rises over the Burren — one of those moments that makes the drive worthwhile. The site is a great base for exploring the Burren, hiking Black Head or dropping into O’Donoghue’s pub for fish and chips and a pint. There is no website; bookings are by phone on 087 750 0307.
Clifden Eco Beach Camping & Caravanning Park, County Galway
About 10 km from Clifden on a private stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way, this low-impact site bills itself as Ireland’s first climate-neutral campsite. Pitches are spread across a grassy headland with panoramic sea views and access to a private beach.
Days here are for early swims, barefoot walks to Omey Island at low tide and quiet evenings under the stars. The atmosphere tends toward retreat rather than a busy holiday park.
Lough Key Forest Camping Park, County Roscommon
Set inside Lough Key Forest Park, this family-friendly site offers 45 landscaped campervan pitches with electricity and water points. Facilities are strong and the pitches are designed for privacy.
Pitch 38 is a favourite for solitude; parking beneath mature trees makes for excellent bird song and a genuine sense of being away from it all. The campsite sits a short walk from the visitor centre, treetop walk and lakeside café. There is free Wi‑Fi in the main building, though plenty of visitors prefer to switch off.
Castle Archdale Caravan Park, County Fermanagh
On the shores of Lough Erne within Castle Archdale Country Park, this extensive site offers a mix of hardstanding and grass pitches with electric hook-ups. It’s well suited to families and anyone who enjoys water-based activities.
Forest trails, bike hire and boat rentals are on hand, and the on-site museum outlines the estate’s role as an RAF base during World War II. The lough itself is ideal for paddling, swimming or simply watching changing light over the water.
Glen of Aherlow Caravan & Camping Park, County Tipperary
Located under the Galtee Mountains, this family-run park is one of the strongest inland options in Ireland. The pitches are a mix of grass and hardstanding, well spaced, with clean facilities and direct access to forest trails.
Longer hill walks into the Galtees are easily reachable from the site, making it a fine spot for walkers and anyone seeking fresh air and wide views.
Barrow Valley Activities Hub, Graiguenamanagh, County Carlow
This compact campervan site sits beside the River Barrow and provides electric hook-ups, water, waste disposal and picnic tables. It opens directly onto the Barrow towpath, a flat, leafy trail ideal for walking or cycling.
From the slipway you can paddleboard, watch herons glide or try the nearby Hot Box Sauna followed by a river dip. The village of Graiguenamanagh has pubs, cafés and shops within a short stroll, lending the site a quietly local feel.
Dickie’s Campsite, Ardmore, County Waterford
Dickie’s is a gently sloping, unmarked field above the beach in Ardmore. Expect minimal facilities, kept clean and straightforward, and a relaxed, first-come-first-served approach during busy periods.
The appeal here is the setting: wake to waves, stroll to the sand for a morning swim and wander into the village for craft shops or a terrace drink at The Cliff House Hotel. When the weather holds, it’s a brilliant place to slow down.
Wolohan’s Silver Strand Caravan & Camping Park, County Wicklow
Perched on a clifftop just south of Wicklow Town, Wolohan’s offers direct access to Silver Strand, a sheltered sandy beach that feels tucked away. The pitches are grassy and sea-facing, with strong facilities including hot showers and a small shop in season.
It’s a reliable choice for sunrise swims and cliff-path walks, with the Atlantic as a constant companion.
North Beach Caravan Park, Rush, County Dublin
Close to Dublin but with a genuine seaside atmosphere, North Beach Caravan Park sits on Rush’s long sandy shore. It’s a handy option for city escapes and for anyone wanting easy access to the coast.
Seal sightings are common and dolphins are sometimes seen offshore. The village offers cafés, pubs and shops a short walk away, and attractions such as Skerries Mills and Ardgillan Castle and Gardens are within about ten minutes by car.
