Eire is a spot we’ve wished to journey for a few years, and at last all the pieces simply fell into place for us to go to. And never simply go to, however do it in model…as digital nomads residing van life in Eire!
Eire lived as much as its fame of getting dramatic coastlines, beautiful rolling inexperienced hills, tiny villages, and loads of locations to cease and take within the views.
However the van actually introduced an additional component to the nation. We might considerably chase the climate, be spontaneous, work from the comfy desk, and keep related by tethering our telephones for wifi.
On this information, I’m going to stroll you thru the way to choose a van, the corporate we went with, the precise van we ended up with, and a few suggestions we discovered alongside the way in which so you possibly can plan a greater digital nomad journey round Eire. See additionally: Greatest Jobs for Van Life
Renting a Campervan in Eire with Indie Campers
Full disclosure, we rented with Indie Campers on this journey as a result of they reached out to us and requested us if we’d wish to have a campervan journey in Eire and share our expertise with our viewers. I imply… who’s going to say no to that?
However, we’ve really rented with them earlier than in Portugal and we all know they’re a fantastic firm, so we had been excited to go along with them anyway.
Though this was a sponsored journey, we did the reserving course of the identical as you’d when you rented – so we obtained the entire expertise. It was tremendous easy to e book the van proper on their web site and there are many add-ons as properly.
The vans are all fashionable and well-maintained and the pickup and drop-off went actually easily. It solely took about half-hour from the time we arrived to drive away and the man who checked us in gave us a very thorough walkthrough of the van and its options.
We went with the Lively Lengthy mannequin. It was spacious, tremendous comfy, and it had very nice finishes. We liked that it had a correct mattress that was fairly cozy (don’t anticipate a king measurement pillow prime although) and a fantastic kitchen space, loads of storage and central warmth for the cool Irish nights.
There was additionally a surprisingly comfy workspace due to the seats that swivel round to a pullout desk.
Additionally, when you’re nervous a few campervan like this being too large for roads in Eire… it actually wasn’t. Should you’ve pushed on slender roads earlier than, you’ll be high-quality. And when you haven’t, it’ll simply take just a few hours to get used to it.
If I had been to provide a critique of the campervan expertise, it will be that the pots and pans and utensils had been fairly minimal and it was a bit annoying having them in a giant tupperware bin within the again. It could be higher in the event that they had been put in drawers with some sort of cellular residence shelving to maintain them from bouncing round.
The place to Go: Our 10-Day Digital Nomad Route By means of Eire
For this journey, we didn’t actually have a strict itinerary, which is actually the great thing about van life when you ask me. We really booked this journey fairly final minute, so whereas we had a tough thought of the place we had been going, we nonetheless determined day-to-day the place we’d go and sleep for the evening.
We began in Dublin for an evening (we had a couple days in Dublin on the finish of the journey), earlier than selecting up the van the subsequent day. Once we obtained the van, we headed south to Kilkenny, then labored our manner by way of Nenagh, Lorrha, and alongside the coast to Galway.
From Galway, we drove as much as Connemara Nationwide Park and that was one of many main highlights of the journey.
There have been numerous spots that we might’ve parked the van for the evening and wild camped with out anybody actually noticing, however we selected a fantastic campsite known as Clifden Eco Seaside Tenting as a result of it was too good to cross up.
After Connemara within the North, we headed south right down to Doolin the place we checked out the well-known Cliffs of Moher, after which southwest to Dingle, then spent just a few days visiting Killarney and the Ring of Kerry.
We completed the journey by testing Cobh and Blarney Fort earlier than heading again to Dublin. This was a fairly intensive journey of the nation, though we didn’t see Northern Eire or the east coast, but it surely was simply achieved in 10 days.
10 Important Ideas for Digital Nomads Doing Van Life in Eire
Earlier than we did this journey, we weren’t certain how properly van life and distant work would pair collectively in Eire… particularly in October.
But it surely turned out that it labored superbly, however there have been just a few issues we discovered alongside the way in which. Should you’ve ever wished to journey round Eire whereas working from a campervan, hopefully these will provide help to out.
1. Kind your telephone plan out earlier than you permit Dublin.
Eire’s protection is ok in cities, however when you head towards Connemara or the Wild Atlantic Method it could possibly flip from full bars to zero. Get a neighborhood SIM or eSIM proper firstly so that you’re not attempting to find a sign if you really need it.
We used our eSIM from our Revolut Account, and it was respectable, however we in all probability would’ve had higher protection with a neighborhood SIM. Should you’re touring as a pair, each of you might get an eSIM from a distinct firm.
We didn’t consider it till close to the top of the journey, however as soon as we different our eSIMs it often meant that a minimum of one among us all the time had protection.
2. Use wet days as your workdays.
Irish climate modifications continuously. We ultimately discovered to dwell with the rain… work when it pours, discover when it isn’t. It retains the entire journey relaxed as a substitute of making an attempt to drive a plan.
3. Count on to work from the van greater than you assume.
We assumed we’d be in cafés on a regular basis, however most days we labored proper from the van as a result of the views had been higher and we really obtained extra achieved. The swivel seats helped, and the quiet mornings had been nice to get some work achieved.
We additionally needed to shoot some reels on this journey, which might’ve been OK however the wind made it arduous, even with the great mics we now have! Should you’re taking pictures movies, the within of the van on a sunny day is definitely fairly good acoustically and the lighting was nice too.
4. Cost the van battery anytime you pay for a campsite.
Should you’re at a campsite with electrical energy, make the most of it. Cost all the pieces. The van batteries, laptops, cameras, energy banks… all of it. You by no means know when the subsequent few nights could be wild tenting or when a campsite gained’t have hookups.
5. Empty greywater and blackwater each time you might have the possibility.
Severely. Do it even when you’re solely half full. There have been just a few instances after we mentioned we’d simply wait til the subsequent web site after which the subsequent couple of web sites didn’t have the amenities so we had been nervous we’d refill or run out. Not a fantastic feeling.
6. Convey your personal pillows and bedding.
The Indie Campers bedding works, but it surely’s not precisely luxurious. I by no means journey with out my pillow and a bedsheet and on this journey I used to be particularly glad to have it. The blankets Indie offers you’re heat and that makes a giant distinction on chilly nights, however these pillows weren’t nice.
7. Convey a powerbank that really has energy.
Between charging laptops, cameras, telephones, and hotspots, having an additional battery took all of the strain off the van’s system. When you’ve got a powerbank, carry it.
8. Obtain all the pieces earlier than leaving greater cities.
Maps, Netflix, playlists, work information… all of it. When you get into the countryside, the sign can vanish with out warning. To obtain Google Maps, simply hover over all of Eire and kind “OK Maps” into the search and it’ll obtain it to your telephone so you should use it offline.
9. Combine campsites with some wild tenting
That is one thing we didn’t do, however we sort of wished we did. We spent fairly a little bit of time in cities and villages having fun with the pubs and music, so we simply stayed at close by campsites.
However subsequent time I’d love to return and do a fishing journey round Eire the place I might wild camp about 50% of the time.
Should you learn up on it, it says that it’s not allowed in Eire, however when you’re respectful and also you clear up after your self and depart early within the morning, no one would trouble you. A minimum of that’s what the Irish folks saved telling us.
10. Hold the van tidy from day one.
A tiny area will get messy quick. As soon as all the pieces had a house, life obtained simpler. Earlier than that… we had been continuously on the lookout for keys, chargers, socks, all the pieces.
11. Positively e book the outside setup add-on.
This comes with simply two camp chairs and a light-weight desk but it surely makes a giant distinction on the sunny days if you don’t wanna be within the van on a regular basis. Each time it was sunny (and never too windy) we’d eat on our outside desk set. Indie has them as add-ons they usually’re positively value it.
12. Hold just a few “don’t transfer the van immediately” meals within the cabinet.
There have been days after we discovered the proper parking spot and didn’t need to transfer the van in any respect… not for groceries, not for something. Having a few simple meals you possibly can cook dinner with out working round attempting to find outlets makes these quiet workdays potential.
13. Construct your work hours round your driving hours.
Some driving days take extra power than you anticipate, particularly on Eire’s slender nation roads. On these days, we’d maintain laptop computer time gentle and save the deeper work for days after we weren’t protecting many kilometres.
It’s so much for the mind to deal with when you’re observing a highway and dodging different vehicles for five hours, and you then attempt to work for five hours!
Prices of Van Life in Eire
Eire isn’t low-cost, and that was one of many causes the campervan made sense. Lodges within the well-liked spots can get dear quick, so having our mattress and kitchen with us took lots of the sting out of the journey.
We seemed up some little B&Bs and stuff on the way in which they usually had been round $250 per evening for a primary small room, regardless that we had been there within the shoulder season.
The van rental is the massive expense, clearly, but it surely saves you on the lodging and a few meals in. Thoughts you, we ate out just about each meal nonetheless as a result of we simply love the pubs and eating places in Eire and we obtained to satisfy folks.
Gas prices had been OK. We stuffed up the van twice for round €140 every time in 10 days. Eire appears to be like small till you begin following each scenic highway and taking detours locals recommend. We drove far more than anticipated, but it surely was value it for the worth of diesel for certain.
Campsites had been often between 35 and 46 euros for a spot with electrical energy, showers, and someplace to dump the tanks.
There have been just a few small extras…tolls, a top-up of AddBlue, a parking price right here and there. Nothing main. Total, the van made Eire much more inexpensive than it will’ve been hopping between accommodations and eating places on daily basis.
The place to Sleep With a Campervan in Eire
One factor we discovered fairly shortly is that Eire doesn’t have the identical wild tenting tradition as locations just like the US or Canada.
You can discover the odd quiet pull-off with a fantastic view, however they’re not all over the place, and lots of coastal spots have indicators asking campervans to not keep in a single day. Due to that, we ended up mixing correct campsites with just a few “discovered it on the final minute” locations.
Campsites had been simple sufficient to seek out and most had all the pieces we would have liked… electrical energy, sizzling showers, a spot to dump gray and black water, and often a bit kitchen sink space.
Total the standard was good in any respect of them and the homeowners had been all the time tremendous pleasant (is there a grumpy Irish individual anyplace?).
We used Park4Night so much. It isn’t good, but it surely saved us greater than as soon as after we had been arriving someplace late and simply wanted a spot to park with out driving round in circles.
The one place we actually thought-about wild tenting was round Connemara, however we determined in opposition to it simply because there have been such stunning campsites up there.
Nonetheless, the very best campsites in Eire are a grass subject with a shocking view, and the worst are simply cement parking tons full of campers. It’s extra about utilizing the campsite as a spot to sleep and to discover from there.
Digital Nomad Necessities to Pack for Van Life in Eire
Earlier than this journey, we thought the van would have just about all the pieces we would have liked. It has fairly a bit if you e book the add-ons, however after all it doesn’t have all the pieces a digital nomad would want.
There are some things we had been actually glad we introduced, and some we want we’d considered earlier. Should you’re planning to work from the highway, these are the gadgets that really made a distinction for us and saved the journey working easily.
1. An actual energy financial institution (not a tiny one)
Should you’re staying in paid parking and charging the van each 2-3 nights, this wouldn’t matter, however when you’re wild tenting, you’ll positively need a big energy financial institution. You’ll find yourself utilizing extra energy than you assume. A correct energy financial institution that may cost a laptop computer is value bringing from residence.
2. Your individual pillows and bedding
Like I mentioned earlier, the rental stuff works, but it surely’s not nice. On the very least, carry your personal pillow when you can, or choose one up in Eire for the journey.
3. An additional lengthy charging cable
Retailers in vans are by no means the place you need them to be. The van we obtained was fairly properly arrange, however I do know they’re not all like that. A protracted cable saves you from working in awkward positions.
4. A small extension wire or energy strip
Should you’re plugged into campsite electrical energy, this allows you to cost all the pieces without delay as a substitute of messing round with completely different shops.
5. Cellphone holder for the dashboard
You’ll depend on Google Maps continuously, and holding your telephone or propping it someplace will get annoying quick. Surprisingly, the Lively Lengthy in Eire didn’t have any display within the sprint so… no Apple CarPlay. Fortunately we nonetheless journey with telephone holders.
6. A water-proof bag in your electronics
Eire’s climate turns shortly. Should you’re strolling to a pub within the rain or hopping out for a hike, this retains your gear secure. I really like YETI for waterproof baggage. I didn’t carry mine on this journey, however it will’ve been good if I needed to take my gear out.
7. Journey-sized kettle or a straightforward espresso setup
The van has a range, and it comes with a Moka Pot, however when you’re not used to creating espresso in a type of, then having your personal fast espresso setup makes mornings contained in the van so much smoother.
8. Journey Energy Adaptor
Not all vans can have multi-plugs. Should you’re coming from a rustic that doesn’t use EU model plugins, then carry your personal.
9. A second SIM or eSIM
Protection can leap round outdoors cities. Having a backup community saved us greater than as soon as.
10. A small, light-weight laptop computer stand
That is one thing we forgot however would’ve been nice, particularly for a extra prolonged campervan journey in Eire. Should you’re going to be working so much, then it’s all the time good to lookup reasonably than down at your display. The desk is comfy, but it surely’s decrease than most kitchen tables, so a stand would positively be a bonus.
FAQs About Van Life in Eire
Is it arduous to drive a giant campervan in Eire?
Folks all the time say the roads in Eire are tremendous slender, however even on The Ring of Kerry, we handed large buses in our campervan and had no concern. Not as soon as did I even should again as much as give area.
Are you able to simply pull over and sleep anyplace?
Typically. We discovered just a few quiet spots that felt completely high-quality, but it surely’s not a rustic the place you possibly can rely on wild tenting each evening. Campsites ended up being our base more often than not.
Do it’s essential to e book campsites?
We didn’t e book forward in any respect in September/October. In summer time, we’d in all probability plan a bit extra, however shoulder season was huge open. Typically it was simply us and one different camper in your complete web site.
Is the WiFi adequate to work?
In cities, sure. Out within the countryside, it comes and goes. Between our personal information, having 2 eSims, and the campsites wifi, we all the time managed.
Does it get chilly at evening?
It may possibly. Our van had heating, which made an enormous distinction. And it wasn’t only a fan heater, it was central warmth! Should you are available in October, you might dwell with numerous bedding (we noticed some campers doing it), but it surely’s far more comfy to get a van with warmth.
Any particular license wanted?
Our common licenses had been sufficient.
Is it secure?
We by no means felt unsafe. Campsites had been quiet, and the few rural spots we stayed in felt relaxed. There’s all the time safety on the campsites so far as we might inform and Eire is fairly secure usually I feel, particularly outdoors of Dublin.
Last Ideas on Campervan Life in Eire as Digital Nomads
This was a visit we had wished to do ceaselessly, and we’d positively suggest doing a campervan journey in Eire, whether or not you’re a digital nomad or not.
For us distant staff, clearly there’s a bit extra to consider logistically, but it surely was all doable. We just about all the time had sign and the van was tremendous comfy to dwell and work in.
IndieCampers was nice to work with. The checkout and checkin was tremendous fast and straightforward and truthfully, this van was so much newer than the van we had in Portugal, so we had been actually pleased with it.
Should you’ve ever considered visiting Eire, otherwise you’ve been earlier than however you probably did it the normal manner in accommodations and B&Bs, I extremely suggest making an attempt it with a campervan. It was a blast and I don’t assume it’ll be our final time doing Eire this fashion.
I hope you discovered this put up useful. When you’ve got any questions, shoot us an e mail from our Contact Web page.
Completely happy travels!