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You've 2 choices really, Stranraer - Belfast followed by a 2 hour drive South to Dublin, or direct Holyhead - Dublin. There's also sometimes a Blackpool ferry, but it varies a lot in where it goes and when - that's if it's on at all.

If you check the campsite Search on here http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/results.asp?region=Overseas&county=S%20Ireland there's quite a few sites, it depends really on where you want to go - Dublin, South East, South West, West, Midlands, North West, etc or just touring around. Also check the Camping Ireland site http://www.camping-ireland.ie/index.html for some more options.

For young children, personally I like Nore Valley at Kilkenny, which has it's own open farm. Nice area too, and close to the ferries.

If you want to go to Dublin, then the only realy option is Camac Valley - there are other sites nearby but they're not in the same league tbh. Camac Valley is one site that you'll definitely need to book ahead for though, very busy.

Hi jo Stranraer/Belfast would be your best bet,  its nearer for you  if you do choose this route, I would recomend you visit N I first try Ballyness cp superb site and the Antrim Coast is stunning ,then over to  Donegal as Anne suggests but dont miss Sligo  Rosses Point for Greenlands cp 2 min walk and little ones are on blueflag beach. Try this link for other sites  .                               http://www.camping-ireland.ie/index.html   We have just had 26 days touring over there and enjoyed every minute can,t wait to go back.

regards doolz

doolz  

  Glad you enjoyed Ballyness, it is our favourite site in N.I. but if you go back there is a lovely new site in Co. Fermanagh -  Rushin House in Belcoo (my review is on this site) and a easy trip from there to Greenlands at Rosses Point which has brilliant views and beach as you said.  Northern Ireland campsites can be found at www.discovernorthernireland.com   then click on Accommodation or places to stay and then click on campsites

Rushin House Reviews here    http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=6773

Any other help needed just post a query

We spent a week touring S. Ireland at the end of July, it's awesome.

I guess it depends a lot on what sort of site you are loking for and what your kids enjoy doing. We spent 2 nights at this site on the Ring of Kerry, it's got great facilities and has won loads of awards. Some of the pitches are right on the waters edge and the views and sunsets are amazing. It's not a big commercialised site with lots of entertainment or kids play areas, but there were lots of families so plenty of other kids to play with and they seemed to enjoy making their own entertainment by the water. I'd definitely reccomend it!

http://www.campinginkerry.com

We took the Stena Line fast craft from Holyhead to Dun Loaghaire, just South of Dublin city. The crossing is only 1.5 hrs which is a big bonus. There is a sailing from Fleetwood but it goes to Larne in N. Ireland and would mean a long drive.

http://www.stenaline.co.uk/stena_line/gb/stena_line_uk.html

We did Mannix Point too - the site was very waterlogged when I was there but kids loved it, (so did we), we hope to go back when the weather has been kinder ... some of the other campers (regulars) said  the site was the wettest they had seen. Very friendly site, for both kids and adults.

We drove upto Cairnryan - Larne, stopped with rellies in NI, then drove down to Mannix Point (on the new completed motorway, nice and fast between the border and Dublin (where it all ground to a halt), then the slower country roads. Then on the way back, we went via Rosslare, so it was a lot of driving - definately allow more time to drive than you think as the roads are bumpier - didn't help as we have a low car which was very laden down.

Discovered a great beach for the kids - Rossbeigh about 20 mins approx from Mannix Point, there was a site nearby - Glenross - has anyone been to that one?