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Hi there

We're about to collect our TT from Camperlands and plan on a few trial runs around Ireland before we head off for the Summer.

Any other Irish TT owners out there??

SF

Just taking your blue face away really.  I'm Irish and as of today I'm a TT owner but I'm living in the UK.

The last time I camped in Ireland was 25 years ago at the Rose of Tralee festival.

I'd love to show the country off to my kids and my partner so I started to look for campsites.  They aren't as easy to find as here in UK.  Not many Irish people camp.  My whole family thinks I'm nuts.  The big thing that has put me off is that so many reviews commented on theft problems on site.  Nobody I know in Ireland leaves home without enabling their burglar alarm - you can't do that with a tent.

Hi I'm from Ireland and living in UK as well.  We're planning on going to Ireland next year with our FC and have spoken to a few people from the UK who have been there camping and said it was fab.  How wardens at sites were so friendly and helpful and that you didn't have to book sites in advance like you do for a lot of sites here.

 Caravan club have a few affliated sites there and here's another link that may be of use to you - http://www.camping-ireland.ie/

Regarding the 'theft' issue - I know from my friends living more in the city centres that they are hot on having burglar alarms on during the day and at night when their in bed but my sister lives out of the town and doesn't feel this need and in all the 20 years has never had a break in.  Plus with many its their insurance companies who insist on the alarms.

I think its the same no matter where you go - you've just got to be careful and not leave valuables on display or left in your FC.  In all my years living and visitng Ireland, Ive never felt in any way threatened or unsafe or any different from here.

We have no burglar alarm, no-one in our cul-de-sac has. I've only encounted one theft on a site in 20 years of camping, and that was more to do with drunken lads than pure theft.

There aren't that many sites in Ireland, but there are some gems. I'd recommend Camac Valley (Dublin), River Valley (Wicklow), Nore Valley (Kilkenny), Rushin House (Fermanagh), Benone Tourist Complex (Derry), Ballyness (Antrim), Delamont C&CC (Down) to start with, but there are loads more.

We used to have a tralier tent - I'd love to get another one, I much preferred it to both tenting and caravanning. Where is Camperlands - Dublin ?

Ailish - You do realise we read of bad behaviour of youths in English cities and wonder if it's safe to camp in England

Ailish

Not sure that Ireland is any worse from a crime point of view that anywhere else.  We live just North of Dublin and although we do have a house alarm and arm it both when we're out of the house and at night I know plently of people in other countries who do the same.  I have to admit I never considered theft from campsites etc. for me, one of the main problems I see with camping here is the weather - it's so bloody cold!!!!!

Arthurdent - Rivervalley in Wicklow was one of the places we looked at possibly over the June Holiday weekend.  In the mean time, we plan on practicing like crazy pitching the tent in my parents.  This is a totally new experience for us as the only other time we've camped was with a 2 person dome tent in OZ many years ago.  We now have two smallies to conside as well so one of our big challanges is going to be keeping them amused while we struggle with the tent.

There isn't a Camperlands in Ireland - we're heading to Manchester to pick it up.  Even factoring in Ferry costs etc. it costs considerably less to buy it in the UK!!!

Thanks all

SF

Thanks shellyfoz - if we were getting a TT we'd be doing the same thing, they are very rare over here, both North and South.

If you're new to camping, maybe a 1 or 2 night stay close to home would be beneficial first of all ? Maybe North Beach at Rush http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=6292 ? I haven't stayed there, but I know someone who used to go regularly. It isn't palatial, but it should be comfortable enough to get used to the TT, and close enough to nip home if you forget something  

Or there's Lough Ree in Athlone  http://www.camping-ireland.ie/caravan-parks/camping.php?id=93 and Lough Ramor in South East Cavan http://www.camping-ireland.ie/caravan-parks/camping.php?id=94 ......

Happy camping anyhow

Hi have camped in Ireland (southern) many times usually in two man tents. Never ever had a problem with theft. Going at easter in the FC have never been in this before so it will be whole new experience.

Have you tried Roundwood campsite, which is quite close to home and a lovely village? Red Cross in Wicklow is also a nice site, well run and good facilities. We have also used several further south Cork, Clare, limerick etc. We have found from experience that site tend to be more basic (ie no parks for kids etc) but we quite like that. Access to some sites can be via some small country roads which can be quite hairy at times but it all adds to the fun of it.

Nina x