Time to start planning a few days away during the Easter holidays

We are all looking forward to Easter, a nice long weekend and for the small people even longer holidays from school. Spring has finally sprung. We have longer days, the weather is improving and there is loads happening around Ireland to keep you busy. Unpack your tent, hook-up your caravan or service your motorhome, the caravan & camping season has really began. Many parks have re-opened for the season and look forward to welcoming you to their sites. With over 100 sites to choose from around Ireland you will definitely find one to suit you on Camping Ireland.

Here are some great ideas for things to do and see over the next few weeks and beyond. Don?t forget to pack a few Easter eggs.

Island Hopping

Ireland is surrounded by approximately 80 islands with only 20 of them inhabited. Why not take a trip out to some of these great locations either by boat, plan, bridge or even cable car! If you are visiting the west coast you must take in a visit to the Aran Islands. With boats leaving from Doolin and Galway you can overnight in one of the many sites inClare or Galway and take the early morning ferry out. If you are visiting West Cork why not take the unique experience of a cable car to Dursey Island. The trip takes about 10 minutes and once you are on the Island soak up the atmosphere and walk the Island. Travelling to Kerry, off the Ring of Kerry you will find Valentia Island. The Island can be accessed by boat or bridge. You can camp on the Island or in one of the many other great sites along the Ring of Kerry. Visiting Northern Ireland, take in Rathlin Island where you can enjoy a walk around the Island or even hire a bicycle.

Visit some of Ireland?s many great historical spots

A trip to Cork must take in Blarney Castle and don?t forget to kiss the Blarney Stone, you might be lucky to receive the gift of the gab! Visiting Kerry, don?t forget a trip to Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farm. Take a bike ride around the park or even a jaunting car. A great place for all the family to enjoy. Glendalough in County Wicklow is a magical spot. The settlement was founded in the 6^th Century and is a great day out for anyone staying in Wicklow or Wexford. There are loads of great sites to visit in Tipperary ? the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle and Holy Cross Abbey.

Get out and cycle or walk along some of the great routes around the country

There are many great cycling routes around Ireland. You have the more established routes ? Western Greenway taking in Mayo and Galway and in the south east the Waterford Greenway. You also have cycling paths within our forest parks ? Curraghchase Forest Park in Limerick, Lough Key, Co. Roscommon or Portumna Forest Park in Galway. If you are staying in Leitrim, Roscommon or having a city break in Dublin you will be within easy access of 2 of the Blueways. The Royal Canal Blueway stretches from Dublin to Leitrim with 16km of walking & cycling trails. The Shannon-Erne Blueway is a series of scenic trails between Leitrim and Cavan with paddling, walking and cycling trails. The Shannon Blueway travels between Roscommon and Leitrim and has series of off-road cycling and walking trails and also their own ?floating walkway?. Moving south, the newest Blueway ? Lough Derg stretches between ClareTipperary and Galway. You can do it by canoe, paddle board, under sail, by bicycle or by foot. Sometimes it can be difficult to get children out walking so why not combine it with a trip to the beach. Visiting Sligo, take a trip to Enniscrone beach or Rosses Point and walk these fabulous beaches. Staying in one of the many sites in Tipperary you could also take in a trek up the Galtee Mountains or mountain bike down the Ballyhoura Mountains.

Especially for the adults visit a brewery or distillery

If you are planning to visit Dublin you must visit the Guinness Storehouse and try your hand at pulling a pint. Kilkenny is a great location to holiday. Plenty for all the family to see and do. Take in a trip to the Smithwick Experience where you will have the chance to mill the malt, stir the mash and smell the hops. Set within Ireland?s Ancient East, you will find the home of Tullamore Dew where they have been distilling whiskey since 1829. And, if it?s whiskey you are interested in don?t forget to visit the Jameson Distillery in Dublin and or if you are having a few days away in Cork or Waterford a trip to the Jameson Distillery in Midleton, Cork is a must.

Activities on caravan & camping parks

Many of the caravan & camping parks will also be organising their own fun and activities over Easter. Some sites with onsite activities will have Easter Camps and entertainment. The International Outdoor Adventure Centre in Wexford will be running Easter Camps from 15^th to 26^th April. The camps are open to people who are camping or caravanning onsite or if you are staying on another caravan site in the area you can also book into to attend.

Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, Roscommon has a host of activities planned for the Easter holidays from craft workshops, floral arranging workshops, science and slim labs, face painting, Easter egg hunt to name but a few. Again, these activities are open to residents staying overnight in the caravan and camping park or if you are staying on another site you can also visit.

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking about what to do and see over the Easter Holidays. So whether you are planning a few days away over the Easter weekend or a longer break during the holidays there is plenty to see and do as part of your caravan & camping holiday.

With over 100 Caravan & Camping Parks offering safe and quality overnight stops throughout Ireland you will find plenty of places to pitch up for the night. Enjoy the independence and flexibility that only caravan & camping can offer in only quality approved sites. Our gates are open and looking forward to welcoming you to outdoor living.