View Full Version : Just curious
Ok,during the last few weeks I've seen a few UK reg Caravans on the road and was curious as to whether anyone here takes their caravan to Ireland (North or South) and what they generally feel about the country,welcome,facilities etc. If you haven't been here,what reasons prevent you coming over? Is it cost,facilities (or lack of) or other reasons? I know there are a lot of dog lovers among you but did you know that you can bring dogs to Ireland without much hassle and a lot of sites also welcome dogs. Not being too nosey,I hope, as in the title ,just curious about reasons people do come and reasons they choose not to. I promise , I won't sell the info to the Tourist Board,honest. Feel free to be brutally honest, I've just started camping again and would welcome info on good/bad sites,too. Thanks in advance.:D
jims-terrano
24-08-2009, 21:05
Hi Liam, if I had the money I'd love to come over to Ireland. Both North and the Republic have lots to offer. Perhaps one day when the mortgage is finished with, just hope I'm not to old to enjoy it by then.
Jim T
Going to watch this with interest, it's on our list to take the van next year.:thumb2
me and a mate keep saying we are going over for a weeks fishing, maybe one day, what i do need to know is do you need a passport? i believe northen ireland you dont, but it needed for southern ireland, anyone know for sure?. :thumbs
You dont need a parrport for either country at the moment.
Regards
Lee
me and a mate keep saying we are going over for a weeks fishing, maybe one day, what i do need to know is do you need a passport? i believe northen ireland you dont, but it needed for southern ireland, anyone know for sure?. :thumbs
Definitely no passport required but if you think you are coming for just a weeks fishing ,forget it. A week will only be a taster,best to tell the other half you'll be back when it stops raining, should be good for a couple of years,at least.:D:D:D:D:D
Ok,during the last few weeks I've seen a few UK reg Caravans on the road and was curious as to whether anyone here takes their caravan to Ireland (North or South) and what they generally feel about the country,welcome,facilities etc. If you haven't been here,what reasons prevent you coming over? Is it cost,facilities (or lack of) or other reasons? I know there are a lot of dog lovers among you but did you know that you can bring dogs to Ireland without much hassle and a lot of sites also welcome dogs. Not being too nosey,I hope, as in the title ,just curious about reasons people do come and reasons they choose not to. I promise , I won't sell the info to the Tourist Board,honest. Feel free to be brutally honest, I've just started camping again and would welcome info on good/bad sites,too. Thanks in advance.:D
I have caravanned both sides of the border. Friends say that the ferries are far too expensive to come over to Ireland from the mainland - much cheaper to go to France from England.
I must admit though that I am reticent when touring the south because of my Northern accent - troubles an ol that. The last time I toured Donegal there was several areas with sectarian graffitti on the walls - not good for tourism. Saying that, we stayed near Westport at Easter and the scenery made me sorely tempted to tour the west coast next year. I was also pleasantly surprised by the general prices when we were in Roscommon - only slightly more expensive than the north. However the price of booze:eek: - bring your own:lol.
Regards
Lee
makeitfit
24-08-2009, 21:54
A few years back we went to Ballyhome for our Europeans cat sailing:D
What a top time we had:lol
Bloody ace fantastic mucho big grin:D
Wonderful people and ultra friendly:clap
Ace massage by some Irish bird I couldn't understand a word she said until I got the bill,I understood that:doh
Bloody ferry was a rip off though cause we were towing a 20 ft cat and 8ft wide caused a bit of fun in de little people villages:lol
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/BallyhomeH59.jpg
3rd :D
Went to Dublin on a pollution seminar and once again awesome,but ruddy expensive.
Dont do the tin tent thing but did camp on a little golf course one night:augie
We were asked if we were feeling alright by the green bloke:nenau When we said we were fine he told us to bugger off then:lol
So we paid for a round of golf and hired some bats and he was cool then:cool:
extreme-4x4
24-08-2009, 22:36
the only thing that worries me is having an english accent .... or id go
also had some mates who were posted there. they had little nice to say about thair visit
i guess its the skoda /or lada syndrome :nenau
hope this dont offend
Ok,great info so far,thanks lads:bow Seems we all have the same worries,accent mainly. Same for me when I go to the UK, no bother during daylight but a little apprehensive at night. It seems to me that if we do take a chance,it does work out very well and a great time can be had. Regarding graffitti in Donegal,Lee, I can see where you are coming from, I used to be a bit concerned when delivering up North and had to go into areas where there were a lot of Union Jacks flying, never had a problem but was never really relaxed until a couple of years ago. From speaking to English,Northern Ireland,Welsh and Scots who do come over,most were wary at first but are regular visitors now and say they love coming over. I can understand the cost thing also, we are definitely not cheap,particularly now with Sterling being a bit weak. No doubt that will change and hopefully we will see more of you coming over, sadly we don't have pigs in the kitchen anymore but we do have so many UK High Street stores that it will be like home from home. I'm sure if you do come across,the welcome might surprise you and hopefully if you get a bit of good natured slagging you won't take offence. So,what are you all waiting for,come on over asap.:clap:clap:D:thumbs
lacroupade
25-08-2009, 08:49
I would just say to anyone worried about accents or anything else, forget it.
I haven't been over for quite a few years but was a very regular visitor to the south and south west some 25 years ago at the height of 'the troubles' and yes, in the south west (Kerry etc.) you'd often see graffiti or posters supporting the IRA and so on.....but despite travelling extensively during many visits, not to mention a (ahem) significant number of visits to bars, pubs etc, not once did I EVER experience even the slightest negativity.....the people there are the friendliest you will ever meet, and its like anywhere else, you get out what you put in, so making the effort to talk to people is always repaid in spades.
And the scenery/Guinness is amazing, so if you've ever fancied it, just go - I promise you won't regret it for a minute!:thumbs
I fully agree with lacroupade.
Top place to visit very friendly, again went in the eighties to the Dublin millineum. Went to Kerry, Cork and Wicklow mountains
Was suggested as a possible destination for our next motorbike trip
paulp
jims-terrano
25-08-2009, 17:21
Liam, I've met plenty Irish people from the North and South. The one thing that struck me is how friendly they are. To be honest with you I never even thought my Yorkshire Acsent would worry people especially in the tourist type areas. I'm sure there are dodgy areas but the same can be said for any where. At the moment I don't see me having much in the way of spare cash for many years to come so holidays are a luxury we don't do. If and when ever we are lucky enough to start thinking of hols then I'd be over there like a shot.
Jim T
Liam, I've met plenty Irish people from the North and South. The one thing that struck me is how friendly they are. To be honest with you I never even thought my Yorkshire Acsent would worry people especially in the tourist type areas. I'm sure there are dodgy areas but the same can be said for any where. At the moment I don't see me having much in the way of spare cash for many years to come so holidays are a luxury we don't do. If and when ever we are lucky enough to start thinking of hols then I'd be over there like a shot.
Jim T
That would make a good meet.. :D
BigBlack
25-08-2009, 19:09
I travel alot to Northern Ireland with work, and have been to Dublin and the south for fun (mainly Dublin... drinking!!)
I would love to take my caravan to South Ireland, but as Zippy said - its the cost of the ferry. Think the last time I costed it up was gonna be about £400plus return... cost more then the actual site for a fortnight!!!
In regards to accents etc I have a good thick Yorkshire accent, shaved head and am reliably informed that I look like a squady. Had plenty of trips to Belfast and never had anything bad happen yet - sure, your told to be carefull when your out having a beer in some pubs, or not to stop and ask for directions in certian areas.... but aint that the same everywhere????? :nenau
As for the murials on houses in Belfast there more tourist attractions now then anythin....
extreme-4x4
25-08-2009, 19:35
I travel alot to Northern Ireland with work, and have been to Dublin and the south for fun (mainly Dublin... drinking!!)
I would love to take my caravan to South Ireland, but as Zippy said - its the cost of the ferry. Think the last time I costed it up was gonna be about £400plus return... cost more then the actual site for a fortnight!!!
In regards to accents etc I have a good thick Yorkshire accent, shaved head and am reliably informed that I look like a squady. Had plenty of trips to Belfast and never had anything bad happen yet - sure, your told to be carefull when your out having a beer in some pubs, or not to stop and ask for directions in certian areas.... but aint that the same everywhere????? :nenau
As for the murials on houses in Belfast there more tourist attractions now then anythin....
oh well lets all paint swastika's on our houses, and see if the jewish people want to come and look at our new tourist attraction
if ireland wants to move on all that garbage should be removed , same as germany has outlawed all that stuff ( allegedly )
and still no offense liam, its just not for me
there are just too many innocent lives lost by them fu.ks bombing all around the uk
i know nothing about the northern ireland business , but i suspect most of the bombers victims knew nothing about it either
and really its not personal
dont anyone mention scotish govenment either ......... please
i have lived here for 18 years a english accent and i definitely look like a squaddie and i can honestly say i have never had any confrontation whilst out of uniform, i also walk my dog everywhere and late at nights through the town without hassle i could not say the same about the mainland.
i have a caravan and i love to bring it over and visit family and friends but it's cheaper to fly across and hire a car imo, there is no better place to fish then the lakes of fermanagh, caravanning i do not go to far because i found perfect place right against the coast called rossess point in sligo, a friend of ours are down in wicklow and says it's fantastic there.
Hi Liam.
I have deliverd all over the north with no trouble, My Daughter used to live in Dublin for 4 years, she said it was the best 4 years of her life !, expensive place but the people were very friendly, ( We SCOTS get on with everyone)
extreme, I wont mention the scotish government , but what about the SCOTTISH Gov !.
John
extreme-4x4
25-08-2009, 21:46
Hi Liam.
I have deliverd all over the north with no trouble, My Daughter used to live in Dublin for 4 years, she said it was the best 4 years of her life !, expensive place but the people were very friendly, ( We SCOTS get on with everyone)
extreme, I wont mention the scotish government , but what about the SCOTTISH Gov !.
John
ok well seeing as you mention it............im sure the people will speek with thair feet...... and the twat will get a nice pay off or pension.
but hey its not me the rest of the world is laughing at:augie..... well a few possibly are but.... thats life
having worked in construction ive met loads if irish in the uk. and yes very nice friendly people. but why would i want to go there . to look at that shit painted on walls.....hatred is still being bred into kids in the poorer places , its not gone ok it better but its not gone.
i know in irish girl in wales and her welsh boyfriend , and he get shit for being welsh when he visits ireland.cos he sounds english
go and visit some estate in northern ireland and then tell me its a nice place. when they hear an english accent.
lacroupade
25-08-2009, 22:03
ok well seeing as you mention it............im sure the people will speek with thair feet...... and the twat will get a nice pay off or pension.
but hey its not me the rest of the world is laughing at:augie..... well a few possibly are but.... thats life
having worked in construction ive met loads if irish in the uk. and yes very nice friendly people. but why would i want to go there . to look at that shit painted on walls.....hatred is still being bred into kids in the poorer places , its not gone ok it better but its not gone.
i know in irish girl in wales and her welsh boyfriend , and he get shit for being welsh when he visits ireland.cos he sounds english
go and visit some estate in northern ireland and then tell me its a nice place. when they hear an english accent.
Oh Mr Grumpy LOL!!
You're right of course Colin, but you'd no more set foot on a bloody estate like that than you'd go camping on Mosside would you, so its a bit academic really....like me :bow
extreme-4x4
25-08-2009, 22:04
Oh Mr Grumpy LOL!!
You're right of course Colin, but you'd no more set foot on a bloody estate like that than you'd go camping on Mosside would you, so its a bit academic really....like me :bow
avatar:augie:augie:augie
lacroupade
25-08-2009, 22:06
gosh Paul you are always right aren't you, thats why I think you are so wonderful:bow:bow:bow:augie:augie:augie....
extreme-4x4
25-08-2009, 22:16
again avatar..........oh look pauly has learned how to mess with the quote bit.
isnt he really very funny......
the cravat is so you............................... gramps:bow:bow:bow
lacroupade
25-08-2009, 22:19
that Paul is just a sharp as a bloody tack, and heres me, dim as a Toc H lamp - how does he do it, and all those women as well....!!!!:doh:doh.....
Ok Just my little bit here:bow
'I have a mad northern irish man in my life
I have been to northern Ireland many times and really enjoyed my time there
The history between northern and southern is sad and to be honest the children who grew up in those times have long wanted to see it all pass away. It is after all an island split by religion.
I love the place so many lovely people just wanting get on with life:thumbs
I have been to southern Ireland with myman and he was so pleased to be able to go and see things without hatetred
We both loved the art on the walls and saw it as art not graffetti
Ireland has a great history and is full music that tells you the history of the north and south
the meeting of the drums at storemount when the peace treaty was signed was so moving .
It is a beautiful island not to missed both north and south:thumbs
extreme-4x4
26-08-2009, 00:39
i dont dispute the place is nice . i think the people are very nice.
and id love to go .
but
id go to a nice resturant full of 1000 nice people and yes id have a nice time
but if i knew one of them was insane and had a gun
would i go ?
would i have such a nice time ?
like i said its nothing personal
i dont do london either let alone brixton
lacroupade
26-08-2009, 08:08
i dont dispute the place is nice . i think the people are very nice.
and id love to go .
but
id go to a nice resturant full of 1000 nice people and yes id have a nice time
but if i knew one of them was insane and had a gun
would i go ?
would i have such a nice time ?
like i said its nothing personal
i dont do london either let alone brixton
thats Swansea out then LMAO!
i dont dispute the place is nice . i think the people are very nice.
and id love to go .
but
id go to a nice resturant full of 1000 nice people and yes id have a nice time
but if i knew one of them was insane and had a gun
would i go ?
would i have such a nice time ?
like i said its nothing personal
i dont do london either let alone brixton
I take your point but I felt safer in Ireland than I ever would in London:)
Its got a few nutters but so has England Wales and Scotland:)
Its no worse than that and better in lots of ways:thumbs
lacroupade
26-08-2009, 11:32
I take your point but I felt safer in Ireland than I ever would in London:)
Its got a few nutters but so has England Wales and Scotland:)
Its no worse than that and better in lots of ways:thumbs
He's having a laugh Wendy - he's even scared to go in Kwik-Save in case a housewife trolley-bashes him......:lol:lol
Ok,thanks again for the input,interesting views by all of you. Ok,here's a suggestion,how about a little email campaign to the ferry companies. They are chasing business all the time and maybe if enough people emailed and said they would love to use their ferries to travel to Ireland but they are charging too much for cars and caravans, it is possible they might do a deal at particular times of the year. Being Ireland it won't matter if the deals are off season as it will be raining anyway. They do great deals for golfers so why not for caravans? Maybe the Caravan Club could also approach them or maybe somebody already did this and I'm years behind. Worth a try,anyway. Norfolk Line are doing Dublin -Liverpool at the moment, car and two people for about €65 each way, Think that's about £100 return, not bad value.
By the way, if any of you are coming over anytime,let me know where you are going to so I can maybe point you towards the good bits and around the bad spots.:D
oh well lets all paint swastika's on our houses, and see if the jewish people want to come and look at our new tourist attraction
if ireland wants to move on all that garbage should be removed , same as germany has outlawed all that stuff ( allegedly )
and still no offense liam, its just not for me
there are just too many innocent lives lost by them fu.ks bombing all around the uk
i know nothing about the northern ireland business , but i suspect most of the bombers victims knew nothing about it either
and really its not personal
dont anyone mention scotish govenment either ......... please
Hi Colin:thumb2, I know nothing about the northern ireland business either:D I will say I attended a few pistol shooting competitions in Northern Ireland, walking around with a 9mm on my hip and 200+rounds of ammo, me and 9 others from the Republic amongst 90 other NI people,some PSNI ,some TA,some British Army, majority Protestant (i'm Catholic).A few of the PSNI guys even gave us some tips on how to improve our shooting technique, that's how friendly they were, and by the way we were on a British Army base for some of the competitions. The squaddies even asked us if we had weapons at the security check, we said "yes" and they said "ok ,go ahead", that was strange:eek::eek: Sure,there were a few of them (one or two) who were a bit wary and distant but the majority were 100% ok and what a wicked sense of humour most of them have. I had the pleasure of the company of one guy who had his pal killed while he was badly injured in an IRAterrorist attack, they were both in the UDR. He's pensioned off and still suffering. One of the guys who was involved in the attack got perforated eardrums from being too close to his blast bomb when it went off, successfully sued the RUC as he alleged they had burst his eardrums during his arrest and questioning. There are places to avoid in Northern Ireland if you are from the Republic, less of a problem if you are English as Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.
No problem being English in the Republic,unless you try to tell us how we should be doing things, 800 years of the English trying that is still irritating to us down here:D:D:D:D:D:D. Take a deep breath and book the flights/ferry, you won't be disappointed,surprised maybe but not sorry.
extreme-4x4
26-08-2009, 20:33
ive always wanted to see the giants causeway:nenau
so you never know:thumbs
ive always wanted to see the giants causeway:nenau
so you never know:thumbs
:thumb2:thumb2:thumb2
Knew you'd come round:lol:lol
lacroupade
26-08-2009, 22:52
ive always wanted to see the giants causeway:nenau
so you never know:thumbs
Colin - you've got hidden depths mate! :eek::thumbs
liam caravan club already do deals for members to get there caravans from the uk to other ports, i joined there club for this reason alone as it was cheaper to become a member and then use there deals to travel on the ferries.
liam caravan club already do deals for members to get there caravans from the uk to other ports, i joined there club for this reason alone as it was cheaper to become a member and then use there deals to travel on the ferries.
I was sure I wasn't the first to think of this:doh Maybe now some more members will come over and see what they have been missing :thumb2 How good are the deals compared to regular prices?
ive always wanted to see the giants causeway:nenau
so you never know:thumbs
Dont ....its crap. Good walks around the cliffs and coast though. I go nearly every year but only for the walks.
Just round the corner is Carrick a rede. Thats better scary fun.
Regards
Lee
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