Top 5 unmissable destinations in Ireland 2024

When creating this shortlist of our top 5 unmissable destinations for your Irish campervan road trip, we could have included 50 different locations. The Emerald Isle is a country steeped in culture, history, outstanding natural beauty and a deep appreciation for music and a pint. Smaller than many other countries, but Ireland still packs a mighty punch when it comes to things to do and places to see, so here are our 5 unmissable destinations for an Irish campervan road trip –

_Galway

A cultural melting pot of bustling Irish city life – so good Ed Sheeran had to write a song about it! When you arrive in Galway, your first stop should be the Latin Quarter. Packed full of traditional and quirky Irish bars, beautiful restaurants, and plenty of street performers, this is the ideal place to embrace the traditional Irish atmosphere and soak up the culture during your Irish motorhome hire adventure. Whilst in the Latin Quarter, you should stop by Quay Street, a fun and friendly artery with vibrant storefronts, bar and restaurant terraces and cool shops. A great place for a date night between 2 or simply to experience with friends.

No trip to Galway would be complete without a visit to the Salthill Promenade. Stacked with bars, cafes, and some of the best seafood restaurants in the county, this is an excellent spot for an afternoon to watch the yachts sail across the water and do some people-watching. Not to mention the swimming hole is frequently used by locals, we would warn you that it can be chilly though!

Where Galway Bay meets the Atlantic, there are the Aran Islands, a group of small islands that can be reached by ferry. These are famed for their area of natural beauty and ancient rocks and are a great day trip to make on your campervan journey.

_Cork

Cork City, the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin. Discover the city’s long history including Viking raids, and the occupation of English forces as well as a lively city with a vibrant culture and plenty of things for you to do on your motorhome road trip adventure. Your first stop in Cork should be Blarney Castle, over 600 years old, the castle attracts tourists from far and wide to view it as well as the gardens, Badger’s Cave, dungeons and the infamous Blarney Stone. Kissing the stone is said to give those who do so the “Gift of the Gab”.  

The gateway to the scenic West Cork awaits you – Kinsale. This quaint fishing town has breath-taking scenery, and the lively streets are like something from a postcard. Kinsale beach is a must-see here and is just a 30-minute drive from Cork City, not far at all when in one of our campervans.

Take a trip to the historic port of Cobh, infamous for being the last stop of the Titanic before it set sail on its maiden voyage. Take the Titanic trail walking tour or visit Cobh Museum to see the Titanic Experience for yourself.

_Donegal

If outstanding natural beauty outdoors is what you seek, you’ll struggle to find a better place than the start of the infamous Wild Atlantic Way road trip, County Donegal. Few destinations are more stunning than the Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) Cliffs, some of the highest in all of Europe. Stop by Killybegs after, a small fishing town, for some freshly caught seafood at the Killybegs Seafood Shack.

If you fancy stretching your legs, we recommend hiking Mount Errigal, the highest peak in County Donegal. Be warned that there is a narrow pass connecting the twin summits which is not for the faint-hearted, but the views are more than worth it.

Finally, you can stop in the seaside town of Downings.  This has everything you need including Casey’s Caravan and Campsite to stay the night, an award-winning seafood restaurant called Fisk, and one of (if not the best) pints of Guinness on the island of Ireland at the harbour bar – take our word for it!

_{Ring of Kerry}

As they say, and with good reason, “Kerry is the Kingdom”. Stretching 180 kilometres, this route is home to some of Ireland’s most famous attractions. The most famous of which is Killarney National Park. 26,000 stunning acres with thick woodland, striking mountains and glorious lakes. Endless miles of the great outdoors to explore. Some must-sees include Bourn Vincent Memorial Park, Torc Waterfall and Muckross House and Gardens.

Stop by the seaside at the quaint village town of Portmagee, the colourful seafront homes and endless green fields are the perfect place to stop for the day. Bubbling with delicious restaurants and live music, despite being a popular stop around the Ring of Kerry this village still retains its seaside charm.

The Skellig Rocks, named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a main tourist attraction in the Ring of Kerry. Although they are uninhabited today, it didn’t stop the Skellig Rocks from being featured in the Star Wars movies. Soak in the lovely views in this area of rugged beauty.  

_Glendalough

Not many trips to Ireland include an itinerary without a trip to Glendalough. There is plenty of things to see in this historic town, including Glendalough monastic site and Visitor Centre. Founded by Saint Kevin, this is one of the most famous religious centres in Europe, with medieval stone churches, round towers, and ancient ruins. Even if you are not religious, this is a must-see, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the two lakes afterwards.

Whilst the whiskey isn’t quite as old as the monastic site, Glendalough Whiskey Distillery, billed as Ireland’s first craft distillery was established in 2011 by five friends. Producing a range of seasonal gins using botanicals to reflect the four seasons, Autumn, Spring, Summer, and Winter as well as three award-winning traditional Irish malt whiskeys. Well worth a tour.

If you pick up your campervan hire from our Dublin depot, on your way from Dublin to Glendalough, take the route through one of Ireland’s most stunning drives by going through Sally Gap – but be careful of all the sheep and the road can be narrow in parts. Look out for Guinness Lake on your way too, which conned its name by being owned by the Guinness family, who imported white sand to make the lake look like a giant pint of Guinness!

Why use motorhome hire with Bunk Campers?

We have depots across the UK and Ireland and a wide range of 2 – 6 berth motorhomes that come fully kitted to choose from, making us the perfect choice for you to hit the open road. Explore the wonders of Northern Ireland in your very own home on wheels.

To book, use the quote and book button on our website, email [email protected] or call our team on +44(0)2890813057 to speak to one of our customer services team.