Helpful advice for discovering Ireland in our VW camper

Ireland is one of the world’s most spectacular places to explore by campervan. Whether you’re touring in our VW California Beach or VW California Grand, this guide will help you drive confidently, avoid common pitfalls, and make the most of your time on the road.

Driving Basics in Ireland

• We drive on the left.
• Take extra care at:
• Roundabouts (travelclockwise).
• Right-hand turns
• Exiting car parks and fuel stations
• Give yourself a little time to adjust—most visitors settle in quickly.

Campervan-Friendly Advice

Your VW California is compact and easy to handle, but still taller and wider than a standard car.

Keep in mind:  

• Check height limits before entering underground or multi-storey car parks.
• Watch for height barriers at beaches, forest parks, and scenic lay-bys.
• Use mirrors generously on rural roads
• Avoid squeezing into older town-centre parking where streets can be extremely tight.

Big Cookie (VW California Grand) – 3.0m high

• Suitable for open-air car parks, campsites, lay-bys and motorhome bays
• Not suitable for any underground or multi-storey car parks
• Will not pass most height barriers, which are often 2.0m–2.2m
• Needs extra care around low-hanging trees, small village car parks, and older towns with archways or stone entrances
• High winds on coastal roads or cliffside routes can affect stability — always slow down in exposed areas

Little Cookie (VW California Beach) – 2.1m high

• Fits under some 2.1m–2.2m height barriers, but not all
• Often acceptable for certain forest parks, beaches, and scenic car parks (always check signage)
• Maneuvers much more like a car, making it easier in tight town centres
• Still unsuitable for underground car parks with 2.0m limits

Roads to Avoid Narrow Roads & Difficult Spots to Be Aware Of

Ireland’s rural roads can be charming — but also challenging. Some are extremely narrow, lined with stone walls, or designed long before the existence of campervans. Here are locations and conditions where extra caution is recommended:

Roads to Avoid Entirely (Both Models)

• Conor Pass, Co. Kerry
  Extremely narrow, blind corners, rock overhangs, steep drops — not safe for campervans of any size.
• Gap of Dunloe (Kerry)

Technically not open to regular vehicle traffic; narrow lanes, horse traps, pedestrians.

• Healy Pass (Beara Peninsula)

Spectacular but very narrow, tight bends — not recommended for campervans.

Roads Not Recommended for the California Grand

Because of its height and width, the Grand is not suited to:

• Small mountain passes, especially on the Dingle Peninsula and Beara Peninsula
• Narrow boreens (one-lane rural roads with grass growing in the centre)
• Routes with old stone archways or low bridges
• Very tight seaside villages like Kinsale, Doolin, Kilmore Quay, or smaller towns on the Wild Atlantic Way

In these areas, stick to the main regional and national roads (R and N routes).

Challenging Areas for Both Models

• Medieval towns (e.g., Kilkenny, Westport, Ennis) with extremely narrow one-way streets
• Cliffside roads on windy days
• Remote scenic loops, especially those marked “local access only”

Car parks with rough, uneven terrain that may scrape the underside of the vehicle

 Challenging Areas — Proceed with Caution

These are manageable in the Beach, but NOT recommended for the Grand:

• Slea Head Drive (Dingle Peninsula) — narrow in parts, tour buses in summer.
• Sky Road (Clifden, Galway) — tight single-lane stretches.
• Old Head / Sheep’s Head / Mizen Head peninsulas — narrow coastal tracks.
• Achill Island Atlantic Drive — tight cliff-side sections.
• Small harbour villages like:
• Kinsale
• Doolin
• Howth Harbour
• Roundstone
• Portmagee

In these areas:

•  Park outside the village
  Walk in or take public transport
  Avoid tight turns and marina car parks

Driving the Ring of Kerry

If you’re planning to drive the iconic Ring of Kerry, always travel anti-clockwise.
This is the same direction used by tour buses and prevents meeting large vehicles on narrow stretches. It also gives you a smoother, more enjoyable drive.

Travel Time in Ireland

Distances may look short on the map—but Irish roads can be:

• narrow and twisty
• shared with tractors, cyclists, and the occasional sheep
• Plan extra time for every journey and enjoy the scenery rather than rushing.

Weather & Road Conditions

Irish weather changes quickly, especially along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Wind and rain can be strong on exposed coastal routes.

If conditions worsen:

• slow down
• keep both hands on the wheel
• avoid high cliff roads with limited visibility

Overnight Parking & Wild Camping

Regulations vary by county.
General guidance:

To help you plan your adventure, here are some reliable, campervan-friendly resources for finding places to park or stay overnight:

• Use official campsites or motorhome stopovers whenever possible
• Avoid overnighting in small village car parks unless clearly permitted
• Respect local signage and communities
• Camping Ireland – Great directory of campervan-friendly campsites.
• Campervans Ireland Facebook Group – Local tips and advice from fellow travellers.
• Pub Stops Ireland – Find pubs that allow free overnight parking for campervans.
• Park4Night – The best tool for wild camping locations, service points, viewpoints & height information.
• The Ultimate Road Trip Resource – Irish-based app offering local wild-camping & parking suggestions.

Navigation: Sat-Nav + Our Maps

GPS works well, but it may try to reroute you onto unsuitable narrow backroads.
To help you stay on safe, scenic, camper-friendly routes:

 We provide physical maps and recommended driving routes with every hire.

These include must-see stops, campervan-accessible viewpoints, and suggested campsites.

Fuel Tips

Fuel stations can be sparse in rural areas.
Top up when you reach half a tank, especially in counties like Mayo, Donegal, or Kerry.

Parking Your VW California

Both the Beach and Grand models are easy to manoeuvre.

Helpful tips:

• Reverse slowly and use sensors/camera
• Stick to open or designated motorhome parking bays
• Avoid tight medieval town centres where roads narrow dramatically.

Emergency 

999 or 112 for all emergency