Eire is a spot we’ve needed to journey for a few years, and eventually all the things simply fell into place for us to go to. And never simply go to, however do it in type…as digital nomads dwelling van life in Eire!
Eire lived as much as its status of getting dramatic coastlines, gorgeous 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 may considerably chase the climate, be spontaneous, work from the snug desk, and keep linked by tethering our telephones for wifi.
On this information, I’m going to stroll you thru the best way to choose a van, the corporate we went with, the precise van we ended up with, and a few ideas we discovered alongside the best way so you’ll be able to plan a greater digital nomad journey round Eire. See additionally: Finest 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 prefer 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 truly rented with them earlier than in Portugal and we all know they’re an important firm, so we have been excited to go together with them anyway.
Regardless that this was a sponsored journey, we did the reserving course of the identical as you’ll in the event you rented – so we acquired the entire expertise. It was tremendous easy to e-book the van proper on their web site and there are many add-ons as effectively.
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 Energetic Lengthy mannequin. It was spacious, tremendous snug, and it had very nice finishes. We cherished that it had a correct mattress that was fairly comfortable (don’t count on a king measurement pillow prime although) and an important kitchen space, loads of storage and central warmth for the cool Irish nights.
There was additionally a surprisingly snug workspace due to the seats that swivel round to a pullout desk.
Additionally, in the event you’re fearful a few campervan like this being too massive for roads in Eire… it actually wasn’t. When you’ve pushed on slender roads earlier than, you’ll be effective. And in the event you haven’t, it’ll simply take a number of hours to get used to it.
If I have been to provide a critique of the campervan expertise, it might be that the pots and pans and utensils have been fairly minimal and it was a bit annoying having them in a giant tupperware bin within the again. It will be higher in the event that they have been put in drawers with some type of cellular dwelling 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 absolutely the fantastic thing about van life in the event you ask me. We truly booked this journey fairly final minute, so whereas we had a tough concept of the place we have 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 following day. After we acquired the van, we headed south to Kilkenny, then labored our means by means 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 a lot of spots that we may’ve parked the van for the evening and wild camped with out anybody actually noticing, however we selected a gorgeous campsite known as Clifden Eco Seaside Tenting as a result of it was too good to go up.
After Connemara within the North, we headed south all the way down to Doolin the place we checked out the well-known Cliffs of Moher, after which southwest to Dingle, then spent a number of days visiting Killarney and the Ring of Kerry.
We completed the journey by trying out 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 carried out in 10 days.
10 Important Ideas for Digital Nomads Doing Van Life in Eire
Earlier than we did this journey, we weren’t positive how effectively 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 a number of issues we discovered alongside the best way. When you’ve ever needed to journey round Eire whereas working from a campervan, hopefully these will allow you to out.
1. Kind your cellphone plan out earlier than you allow Dublin.
Eire’s protection is ok in cities, however when you head towards Connemara or the Wild Atlantic Means it might flip from full bars to zero. Get an area SIM or eSIM proper at the beginning so that you’re not looking for a sign whenever you really need it.
We each used an eSIM, and it was respectable, however we in all probability would’ve had higher protection if we’d blended up suppliers. When you’re touring as a pair, each of you would get an eSIM from a special firm.
We didn’t consider it till close to the top of the journey, however as soon as we different our eSIMs it normally meant that not less than considered one of us at all times had protection.
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2. Use wet days as your workdays.
Irish climate adjustments 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 power a plan.
3. Anticipate to work from the van greater than you suppose.
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 have been higher and we truly acquired extra carried out. The swivel seats helped, and the quiet mornings have been nice to get some work carried out.
We additionally needed to shoot some reels on this journey, which might’ve been OK however the wind made it arduous, even with the nice mics we’ve got! When you’re capturing 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.
When you’re at a campsite with electrical energy, make the most of it. Cost all the things. The van batteries, laptops, cameras, energy banks… all of it. You by no means know when the following few nights could be wild tenting or when a campsite received’t have hookups.
5. Empty greywater and blackwater every time you may have the prospect.
Severely. Do it even in the event you’re solely half full. There have been a number of occasions once we mentioned we’d simply wait til the following web site after which the following couple of websites didn’t have the services so we have been fearful we’d replenish or run out. Not an important feeling.
6. Deliver your individual 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 provides you might be heat and that makes a giant distinction on chilly nights, however these pillows weren’t nice.
7. Deliver 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. If in case you have a powerbank, deliver it.
8. Obtain all the things 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 cellphone so you should use it offline.
9. Combine campsites with some wild tenting
That is one thing we didn’t do, however we type 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.
When you learn up on it, it says that it’s not allowed in Eire, however in the event you’re respectful and also you clear up after your self and depart early within the morning, no one would trouble you. At the very least that’s what the Irish folks saved telling us.
10. Hold the van tidy from day one.
A tiny house will get messy quick. As soon as all the things had a house, life acquired simpler. Earlier than that… we have been continuously searching for keys, chargers, socks, all the things.
11. Undoubtedly e-book the out of doors 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 whenever 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 out of doors desk set. Indie has them as add-ons they usually’re positively price it.
12. Hold a number of “don’t transfer the van right this moment” meals within the cabinet.
There have been days once we discovered the right parking spot and didn’t need to transfer the van in any respect… not for groceries, not for something. Having a few straightforward meals you’ll be able to cook dinner with out operating round looking for outlets makes these quiet workdays potential.
13. Construct your work hours round your driving hours.
Some driving days take extra vitality than you count on, particularly on Eire’s slender nation roads. On these days, we’d preserve laptop computer time mild and save the deeper work for days once we weren’t overlaying many kilometres.
It’s quite a bit for the mind to deal with in the event you’re observing a street and dodging different automobiles for five hours, and then you definitely 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. Resorts within the well-liked spots can get expensive quick, so having our mattress and kitchen with us took a variety of the sting out of the journey.
We regarded up some little B&Bs and stuff on the best way they usually have been round $250 per evening for a fundamental small room, although we have 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 acquired to fulfill folks.
Gasoline prices have been OK. We crammed up the van twice for round €140 every time in 10 days. Eire appears to be like small till you begin following each scenic street and taking detours locals recommend. We drove far more than anticipated, but it surely was price it for the worth of diesel for positive.
Campsites have been normally between 35 and 46 euros for a spot with electrical energy, showers, and someplace to dump the tanks.
There have been a number of small extras…tolls, a top-up of AddBlue, a parking charge right here and there. Nothing main. General, the van made Eire much more reasonably priced than it might’ve been hopping between lodges and eating places day by day.
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 an important view, however they’re not in all places, and a variety of coastal spots have indicators asking campervans to not keep in a single day. Due to that, we ended up mixing correct campsites with a number of “discovered it on the final minute” locations.
Campsites have been straightforward sufficient to search out and most had all the things we would have liked… electrical energy, sizzling showers, a spot to dump gray and black water, and normally just a little kitchen sink space.
General the standard was good in any respect of them and the homeowners have been at all times tremendous pleasant (is there a grumpy Irish individual anyplace?).
We used Park4Night quite a bit. It isn’t excellent, but it surely saved us greater than as soon as once we have 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 towards it simply because there have been such stunning campsites up there.
Nonetheless, one of the best campsites in Eire are a grass area with a surprising 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 things we would have liked. It has fairly a bit whenever you e-book the add-ons, however in fact it doesn’t have all the things a digital nomad would want.
There are some things we have been actually glad we introduced, and some we want we’d considered earlier. When you’re planning to work from the street, these are the objects that really made a distinction for us and saved the journey operating easily.
1. An actual energy financial institution (not a tiny one)
When you’re staying in paid parking and charging the van each 2-3 nights, this wouldn’t matter, however in the event you’re wild tenting, you’ll positively need a big energy financial institution. You’ll find yourself utilizing extra energy than you suppose. A correct energy financial institution that may cost a laptop computer is price bringing from dwelling.
2. Your individual pillows and bedding
Like I mentioned earlier, the rental stuff works, but it surely’s not nice. On the very least, deliver your individual pillow in the event 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 acquired was fairly effectively 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
When you’re plugged into campsite electrical energy, this allows you to cost all the things without delay as a substitute of messing round with totally different retailers.
5. Telephone holder for the dashboard
You’ll depend on Google Maps continuously, and holding your cellphone or propping it someplace will get annoying quick. Surprisingly, the Energetic Lengthy in Eire didn’t have any display screen within the sprint so… no Apple CarPlay. Fortunately we nonetheless journey with cellphone holders.
6. A water-resistant bag on your electronics
Eire’s climate turns shortly. When you’re strolling to a pub within the rain or hopping out for a hike, this retains your gear secure. I like YETI for waterproof baggage. I didn’t deliver mine on this journey, however it might’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 in the event you’re not used to creating espresso in a kind of, then having your individual fast espresso setup makes mornings contained in the van quite a bit smoother.
8. Journey Energy Adaptor
Not all vans can have multi-plugs. When you’re coming from a rustic that doesn’t use EU type plugins, then deliver your individual.
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. When you’re going to be working quite a bit, then it’s at all times good to search for somewhat than down at your display screen. The desk is snug, 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?
Individuals at all times say the roads in Eire are tremendous slender, however even on The Ring of Kerry, we handed massive buses in our campervan and had no difficulty. Not as soon as did I even must again as much as give house.
Are you able to simply pull over and sleep anyplace?
Generally. We discovered a number of quiet spots that felt completely effective, but it surely’s not a rustic the place you’ll be able to rely on wild tenting each evening. Campsites ended up being our base more often than not.
Do you might want to e-book campsites?
We didn’t e-book forward in any respect in September/October. In summer season, we’d in all probability plan a bit extra, however shoulder season was huge open. Generally it was simply us and one different camper in the whole web site.
Is the WiFi ok 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 at all times managed.
Does it get chilly at evening?
It might. Our van had heating, which made an enormous distinction. And it wasn’t only a fan heater, it was central warmth! When you are available October, you would dwell with a lot of bedding (we noticed some campers doing it), but it surely’s far more snug to get a van with warmth.
Any particular license wanted?
Our common licenses have been sufficient.
Is it secure?
We by no means felt unsafe. Campsites have been quiet, and the few rural spots we stayed in felt relaxed. There’s at all times safety on the campsites so far as we may inform and Eire is fairly secure typically I feel, particularly outdoors of Dublin.
Remaining Ideas on Campervan Life in Eire as Digital Nomads
This was a visit we had needed to do eternally, and we might positively advocate 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 at all times had sign and the van was tremendous snug to dwell and work in.
IndieCampers was nice to work with. The checkout and checkin was tremendous fast and simple and actually, this van was quite a bit newer than the van we had in Portugal, so we have been actually pleased with it.
When you’ve ever considered visiting Eire, otherwise you’ve been earlier than however you probably did it the standard means in lodges and B&Bs, I extremely advocate making an attempt it with a campervan. It was a blast and I don’t suppose it’ll be our final time doing Eire this manner.
I hope you discovered this put up useful. If in case you have any questions, shoot us an electronic mail from our Contact Web page.
Pleased travels!
