Make the most of the last days of summer with a break away this September

September is a great month to take a few days? holidays.  The roads are quieter, caravan & camping parks are not as busy and hopefully we will get some later summer/early autumn sunny weather.  To get you thinking about booking that mini-break here are our suggestions on things to do and enjoy this September.

1. A walk in the Park

Forest Parks are a great place for walking, cycling, picnicking and general outdoor fun.  In Ireland there are 260 recreational forests nationwide, including 3,000km of way marked walking trails, 12 forest parks and six mountain bike centres, operated by Coillte. There are 9 forest parks in Northern Ireland managed by the Forest Service of Northern Ireland.  The parks offer a wonderful selection of facilities AND, the good thing is they are free to visit (there may be a small parking fee in some places).  Recreational maps are available at each site and also can be downloaded from the Coillte website.  Coillte has also developed six world class mountain bike centres in counties Sligo, Galway, Laois/Offaly, Dublin, Wicklow and Limerick.

You can also pitch up in forest locations in Ireland.  You can totally immerse yourself in the Forest and pitch up surrounded by trees.  Enjoy the peace & tranquility of pitching under the stars in a forest park. Get in touch with nature and pitch your tent for a cool camping adventure at one of our designated camp sites in Ireland

Where ever you stay in Ireland there isn?t a forest or park too far away from you.  For more information on the National Parks click here for more information

2. Take a scenic driving route

The Wild Atlantic Way is a very popular driving route in Ireland.  It is 2,500km in length but there are many routes within this that you can tour and visit the many sites in that area.  Ireland?s scenic routes aren?t just along the coastline.  There are many inland routes offering breath-taking scenery taking in mountain paths.  A trip up The Vee in County Tipperary is spectacular.  It is famous for its breath-taking views across the Golden Vale rising to 610metres above sea level.  If you are visiting Kerry a trip through the Gap of Dunloe and to Moll?s Gap is a must.

The Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland is a spectacular driving route.  The route stretches from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry and includes the legendary Giant?s Causeway.

3. Cycle a Greenway

Ireland?s Greenways and trails are a great way to see some of the most beautiful and unspoilt parts of the country while enjoying the great outdoors.  A Greenway is a predominantly traffic free path, designated for use by pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised users such as wheelchair users, families with buggies etc.  Greenways are designed specifically to meet the needs of cyclists in terms of gradient and surface and are wide enough to accommodate shared usage. Greenways are ideal for cyclists, and in particular cyclists with limited experience and children.  Some of the Greenways are very popular and well known so why not consider one of the lesser known or newer.  The Grand Canal meanders through the Offaly countryside from Edenderry in the east to Shannon Harbour in the west of the county. The Offaly section of the Grand Canal route is punctuated by historic sites, canal locks, lock houses and industrial architecture from bygone days.

There are many Greenways and cycle routes in Ireland.  Here are our favourites

1. Waterford Greenway
2. Great Western Greenway
3. Great Southern Trail
4. Grand Canal Way
5. Royal Canal Way
6. Great Eastern Greenway
7. Old Rail Trail Mullingar to Athlone

Wherever you pitch up in Ireland you are not too far away from a Greenway or cycle route.  Pack up your bike and head to one of the many quality caravan & camping sites around Ireland for a few days away.  For more information on these routes and other cycle routes click here

4. Go Island hopping

Hop on a boat, drive across a dramatic bridge or jump in a cable car to explore the 80 magical islands of Ireland. Enjoy jaw-dropping scenery, see rare wildlife and take walks along rugged cliffs. Meet locals from some of the inhabited islands and share in the magic of island life.  Acaill (Achill Island), the largest of our offshore islands. No need to take a ferry here – you can cycle over on the Great Western Greenway, which runs along the old railway line from Westport, or drive over the bridge from the mainland. Achill has five picturesque Blue Flag beaches and a long history of human settlement with megalithic tombs dating back 5,000 years.  Experience the Aran Islands, Inishmore (Inis Mór), Inishmaan (Inis Meáin) and Inisheer (Inis Oírr) each with their own unique charm. Lofty lighthouses, holy wells and historic monuments are to be found.Hop on the Aran Islands ferry from the mainland and experience this remote paradise in the spectacular Atlantic Ocean on your next trip to the West.  Cork is also home to a number of fantastic Islands, all worth a visit.  such as Whiddy Island, Long Island, Heir Island, Bere Island, Garnish (Garinish) Island, Dursey Island and Sherkin Island.  Kerry is home to the Blasket Islands and the Skellig Islands.  Take a boat trip to view the spectacular landscapes.

Pitch up along the west coast and take a trip to the Islands. The boat trips alone will be worth the visit.

5. Free Wednesday

On the first Wednesday of each month, many OPW Heritage Sites offer Free Admission to independent/individual visitors and families. Tickets are allocated on first come basis and you cannot pre-book.  Participating sites include:-

Clare ? Ennis Friary

Cork ? Charles Fort Mililtary Fortress and Garnish Island ? Ilnacullin

Donegal ? Donegal Castle and Glebe Gallery & Garden

Dublin ? Casino Marino, Farmleigh House & Gardens, Rathfarnham Castle and Custom House Visitor Centre

Galway – Athenry Castle . Aughnanure Castle , Dún Aonghasa ? Ancient Stone Fort, Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara- Pearse?s Cottage and Visitor Centre, Portumna Castle and Gardens

Kerry – Ardfert Cathedral, Daniel O?Connell House ? Derrynane House, Ionad an Bhlascaoid ? The Blasket Centre, Ross Castle

Kilkenny – Jerpoint Abbey and Parke?s Castle

Limerick, Louth, Mayo & Roscommon – Adare Castle , Old Mellifont Abbey Monastic Site, Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre, Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre ? Oldbridge Estate, Trim Castle and Boyle Abbey

Sligo – Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery and Sligo Abbey

Tipperary – Cahir Castle, Ormond Castle, Roscrea Castle, Gardens and Damer House/Black Mills, The Swiss Cottage

Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow – Reginald?s Tower, The John F. Kennedy Arboretum, Tintern Abbey, and Glendalough Monastic Site and Visitor Centre

This is not just in September but every month.  Please check opening times before travelling as some sites may be closed off-season.

6. Take a trip to Belfast

Walk along the Maritime Mile to explore Belfast’s seafaring history on this waterfront trail connecting key attractions along both sides of the River Lagan. You?ll start on the city side of the river and follow the historic trail from Sailortown and St Joseph’s Church to Clarendon Buildings, passing key sites including the dry and wet docks, the Salmon of Knowledge (known locally as “the big fish”), the SS Nomadic, Titanic Belfast, the Great Light, and Thompson Dock which is the 415ft long dry dock where RMS Titanic was fitted out.  Northern Ireland is a great place to take a few days away.

Camping Ireland has so much information to help you plan your caravan & camping trip away.  The new website is very user-friendly and has a number of great features which makes it very easy to navigate.  One of the new features is that you can now add filters to your selection.  This will allow you to get information on parks that are specific to your needs.

You can now filter for sites as follows:

Camping type ? camping, glamping, mobile home hire, etc.

Holiday type ? beach holiday, countryside, family-friendly, dog friendly, etc.

Facilities ? beach nearby, playground, games room, shop, etc.

County

Region ? Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland?s Ancient East, Ireland?s Hidden Heartlands, Dublin or Northern Ireland

Also, many sites are now offering online booking which will help you secure your pitch at the click of a button.

Whatever you want Camping Ireland has something to suit everyone.  Enjoy the independence and flexibility that camping in Ireland can offer in quality approved sites.  We look forward to welcoming you to Ireland?s outdoor living.