Caravan Holiday In Ireland - FAQ 1.2

(updated 10 Oct 2021)

 

WHAT'S THIS FAQ?

This FAQ (frequently asked questions) covers some useful information for people

that want to go on a caravan holiday in the Irish Republic.

 Author: Karl Grabe

 

DISCLAIMER

All information here is hopefully correct but I take no responsibility for any

inaccuracies. 

 

CAMPSITES

You can find campsites at http://www.camping-ireland.ie/

Cost varies but expect an pay approx IR10 for a family per night including electricity.

Most sites accept dogs but the UK is the only country you can bring dogs in from

(as Ireland is Rabies free).

 

 

ELECTRICITY

Campsites: 240V, elsewhere 230V. 13amp 3 flat-pin sockets used in shower/toilet

blocks (same as UK domestic sockets).

 

Standard caravan coupler: 3 circular-pin circular mains connector with splash proof

flap used to connect van to mains at the pitch (same as in UK sites).

Note most campsites are limited to 5amp per pitch (= 1.1kw) so check your kettle

and hair dryer ratings.

 

TELEVISION

VHF & also UHF PAL 625 (Same as UK)

Note that PAL TVs bought in continental Europe will have sound problems if used

in Ireland. A French TV will show a b/w picture without sound.

3 local TV stations: RTE 1, Network 2 and TiNaG (an Irish language station)

Satellite TV - Astra and Eutelsat cover Ireland.

 

RADIO

National and local radio stations are on AM & FM (88 to 108MHz)

BBC Radio 4 can be received on 198kHz Longwave throughout the country

Other European radio stations can be picked up at night on Medium Wave.

CB: Officially same as UK (FM) but nobody uses it. AM is in use.

 

TELEPHONE

GSM

3 GSM mobile phone networks: O² (086), Vodafone (087), Meteor (085). All should have roaming

agreements with nearly all other countries that have GSM networks. Esat and Eircell

each claim geographical coverage of 90%. All networks should support receiving and

sending of SMS messages to mobiles in other countries.

Before you leave for Ireland check that you know how to read you

voice mail while roaming. You may also want to bar incoming calls while roaming as these are charged

at international rates.

Directory enquiries: 1190. Emergency: 112. Customer Care: O² 1909, Vodafone: 1800 22 55 88

 

Public Phones

Public phone boxes use prepaid Irish phone cards available at petrol stations,

shops and post offices. International access code is 00, so for UK dial 0044, France 0033 etc.

Directory enquiries 1190,. Emergency: 112. Operator: 10.

 

YOUR TOW CAR

Leaded, Unleaded, Diesel and Auto gas available.

Any European driving license is OK. Your car insurance will normally only cover

you for the legal minimum requirement in Ireland - 3rd Party. If you need more then

check this with your insurance company before you leave. You don't need a green card.

The Automobile Association (AA) have a network here. Towing limits - I don't know what

the legal maximum van to car weight ratio is but I doubt if the police here know either!! Use

the same guidelines as for the UK.

Speed limits: Urban 50km/h (30MPH), National 100km/h (60MPH), Motorway 110 km/h (70MPH).

Towing speed limit is 80km/h.

 

GAS

'Clip on' regulator type butane bottles (full and 5kg sizes) refills widely available.

Propane (red bottles) also but I'm not sure what the connector type is. Camping

gas is available.

 

CURRENCY

The Irish Pound, worth slightly less the the UK pound.

Access, Mastercard and especially Visa are accepted in restaurants, Petrol stations,

supermarkets etc. Only a few outlets accept American Express and Diner's club.

ATMs are widely available - Visa/Access should work in most of them.

 

CAMPING ACCESSORY SHOPS (that I've used and are good)

Charles Camping, Blessington near Dublin. +353 (0)45 865351

Donal Buckley, Mallow - 30mins drive from Cork. +353 (0)22 22157, +353 (0)86 2558199

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

URLs

Irish

Yahoo for Ireland & UK: http://www.yahoo.co.uk/

 

Other Links

 

UK Caravan WebSite - the page for uk.rec.caravanning newsgroup

UK UseNet newsgroup: uk.rec.caravanning

 

 

FERRY COMPANIES

Irish Ferries

+353 1 6610511, http://www.irishferries.ie

Rosslare-Pembroke, Dublin-Holyhead, Rosslare-Cherbourg, Rosslare-Roscoff

Note: 30% discount for 450 BA airmiles. See http://www.airmiles.co.uk/

 

Cork Swansea Ferries

+353 21 271166

Cork-Swansea!

 

Stena Line

+353 1 2047733

Rosslare-Fishguard

 

Brittany Ferries

+353 21 277262, http://www.brittany-ferries.com/

Cork-Roscoff, Rosslare-Fishguard, Cork-Swansea

 

 

WEATHER

Check http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/03955.html

 

EMERGENCY

From any phone, including GSM - dial 112 and ask for ambulance, police, fire brigade etc. Note that some GSM phones will accept 112 even if they are locked i.e. entering 112 instead of the PIN will work.

Police for non-emergency: +353 (0)1 6771156

Get form E111 in your home EEC country before you leave. This entitles you to reduced hospital/medical

costs in Ireland.

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