Shropshire Star

Years ago I used to regularly visit the south-west of Ireland on holiday with my parents and sister. We had some fabulous times even when it poured with rain and the sea mist didn’t rise all day. All four of us used to return home relaxed and laid back, rather like the lovely people who live over there.

As an adult I have spent the odd weekend break in Dublin but had never returned to the south-west or indeed any other part for a proper holiday, until last year.

And then all the memories came flooding back.

It is a beautiful country and I spent just over a week travelling from Dublin down to Dungarvan in County Waterford, on to Blarney, near Cork, and then Killarney before heading back.

All of this was spent in a motorhome stopping off at approved sites in the Irish Caravan & Camping Council guide. And let me say each of the four sites I pitched up to were exactly as described in the guide. Accuracy, I am afraid, in some guides is not of the best, but this was spot on.

There are two main motorhome types: the “conversion” and the “coachbuilt”. The conversion adds a high top or elevating roof to the base vehicles to give standing room. All the equipment for living, sleeping and eating are incorporated inside and conversions are very popular for everyday use as well as leisure.

Coachbuilts are larger vehicles, constructed on the chassis cab of the base vehicle. With greater space, more internal equipment can be added and up to six/seven people accommodated.

It was the latter in the form of an Elddis Autostratus RG, based on the Peugeot 2.8 HDi that I made my trip.

It had everything you could need — full cooker and hob, microwave, loo and shower, plenty of storage (including a rear compartment ideal for bikes, barbecue equipment and outdoor table and chairs), comfortable beds and much more. Ride-wise on the road it was very comfortable and easily manoeuvrable. Fuel consumption was reasonable as well.

Prices start at £19,000 and go up to over £60,000 — “mine” was £42,990.

Motorhomes are extremley popular and the camaraderie between fellow motorhomers is quite something! Over 118,000 vehicles are estimated to be in use in the UK and annual sales are at an all-time high.

But hiring is a good idea for first-timers. As a general guide, a van conversion wil cost from £295 per week in low season to around £495 in July/August. A smaller coachbuilt will range between £395 and £595 per week and larger ones between £495 and £795 per week. And those prices do include insurance and breakdown recovery.

You can hire a motorhome throughout the UK and you can take it almost anywhere you want — hire companies can sort out all the details and provide equipment. You can do your own thing or some hire companies will also provide fully planned tours.

But back to the holiday itself, and Ireland. I started with an overnighter not far from the ferry port and then set off down along the coast road past Wicklow, Wexlow and Waterford — here I couldn’t resist a visit to the famous Waterford Crystal factory and showroom and with the space in the motorhome was able to safely bring back a haul of booty!

The scenery is fantastic, although the road is a little rough in places! But then you expect that.

And on to a coastal site at Dungarvan run by the lovely Casey family. Set right on the coast with a lovely beach it is an idyllic spot and to be quite honest I could have easily stayed there for the entire holiday.

It is immaculately kept with excellent facilities and plenty of space between the pitches. Locally there is much to see and do, including top-class angling, sailing and sail boarding, three golf courses and many scenic locations.

It was with some reluctance that I went on to my next port of call at Blarney, just outside Cork, stopping off en route at Kinsale — known for its gourmet eating. Let’s just say that I was disappointed in my choice of eaterie.

Blarney Caravan and Camping Park, another family-run establishment, is set on a hillside just outside the village which is in walking distance. Again it is immculately kept with plenty of space and such friendly staff.

A visit to kiss the Blarney Stone is a must and I took the local bus for the short distance into Cork to spend the day sight seeing.

Cork was European Capital of Culture last year and there is such a lot to see and do. I barely scratched the surface and will have to go back. And so on to my last stop — Killarney — and the area we used to stay as a family..

The Donoghue family have been welcoming visitors since 1962 and once again what a warm welcome.

Then to those memories and a drive around the breathtaking Ring of Kerry — yes, still taking my breath away even though it poured down — and a trip on the lake followed by a ride in a traditional Irish jaunting cart.

I shall return — and will not leave it another 34 years.

By Sharon Walters