Self supported tour in Ireland

I am considering doing a self supported tour in Ireland this summer.
Bike/tent/me. Interested in riding along the coast. Are there frequent
campgrounds?

Googled this - there are many others.

http://www.irishbeds.com/nav/cmp.html

Have done two tours of Southern Ireland in the past and the one bit of
advice that I can give from my own experience is -

Take a cape or a raincoat!

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 10:39:59 -0600, "Arlene"
wrote:

I am considering doing a self supported tour in Ireland this summer.
Bike/tent/me. Interested in riding along the coast. Are there frequent
campgrounds?

The few campsites I've noticed did not look very inviting, being
mostly windswept open fields, probably mostly occupied by motor
caravans.
Much better to go hostelling; no need to carry tent, sleeping bag or
cooking utensils, not much more expensive, and a chance to meet fellow
travellers. Must admit I allways go in May or September, so not really
camping season in Eire, while the hostels are not too full yet.
Avoid the official (An Oige) Hostels (wich have a curfew and don't
open till 17.00), there's plenty of independent ones.
http://www.hostels-ireland.com/
http://www.holidayhound.com/ihi/
You can also pitch a tent at many hostels, and use the common
room/kitchen/showers.

Mark van Gorkom.

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 10:39:59 -0600, Arlene wrote:

I am considering doing a self supported tour in Ireland this summer.
Bike/tent/me. Interested in riding along the coast. Are there frequent
campgrounds?

X-posted to rec.bicycles.rides in the hope that Garry Lee sees it.
--
Michael MacClancy

In message , Mark van Gorkom
writes
On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 10:39:59 -0600, "Arlene"
wrote:

I am considering doing a self supported tour in Ireland this summer.
Bike/tent/me. Interested in riding along the coast. Are there frequent
campgrounds?

The few campsites I've noticed did not look very inviting, being
mostly windswept open fields, probably mostly occupied by motor
caravans.
Much better to go hostelling; no need to carry tent, sleeping bag or
cooking utensils, not much more expensive, and a chance to meet fellow
travellers

But you miss the chance of some great camping.

There are few campsites, except in the very touristy areas (my experince
is on the south and west coasts. but camping is easy. I used to ask at
small farms/small holdings - of which there are plenty, you will
normally get a bit of space in field or somesuch. If not you will often
b pointed to somewhere suitable. The Irish seem much more relaxed about
camping in public places. I camped on some lovely beaches - had htem
pretty much to myself. Next to ruined church, next to an old stone
bridge that was some sort of ancient monument.

some nice hostels as well though
--
Chris French, Leeds

chris French wrote:

I am considering doing a self supported tour in Ireland this summer.
Bike/tent/me. Interested in riding along the coast. Are there frequent
campgrounds?

Campgrounds? Don't know, I avoid them, and it's quite a while since I
toured in Ireland.

Much better to go hostelling;

Yuk. A stuffy, cramped environment, with an inevitable snorer nearby,
where you sacrifice your freedom.

The Irish seem much more relaxed about
camping in public places.

That prompts me to reply. On my second (and most recent) time cycling
in Ireland, I took the bivvy bag (which I prefer) rather than a tent.
I was heading for an early morning ferry back from Dun Laogoire, so
I wanted to spend the last night in town near it, and thought I'd
find a B&B for that night only. In the event, I arrived too late
in the evening to try that, so I just found myself a small bit of
parkland instead. It was ****ing it down, so there weren't too many
people using it:-)

The morning dawned bright and sunny, and with it the dogwalkers in the
park. Their reaction to me was a cheery good morning. Not a single
unpleasant reaction at all, at all.

--
Nick Kew

"Arlene" wrote in message ...
I am considering doing a self supported tour in Ireland this summer.
Bike/tent/me. Interested in riding along the coast. Are there frequent
campgrounds?

Arlene,

It depends on what you're looking for. Personally, my favourite type
of campsite is one with virtually no facilities, and a clean toilet /
shower block. After that, if it has a shop with milk / bread / camping
gas I'm made.

My all-time favourite campsite is a place called 'Eagle Point'. Its a
few miles south of Glengarriff, on the Bantry road. Its on a headland
/ peninsula, and at the extremity you can pitch about 10 feet from
crashing waves. Cycle friendly, no noisy kids.

Another good site is 'Fossa' near Killarney. Not as hugely impressive
as Eagle point, but the cycling around the area brings me back to it.

I grew up in Cork, and cycled around South West coast every summer as
a student.

(contact me directly if you want to discuss routes etc, include
'Cycle' and 'Ireland' in the subject)

Michael.

"Michael MacClancy" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 10:39:59 -0600, Arlene wrote:

I am considering doing a self supported tour in Ireland this summer.
Bike/tent/me. Interested in riding along the coast. Are there frequent
campgrounds?

X-posted to rec.bicycles.rides in the hope that Garry Lee sees it.
--
Michael MacClancy

Get a copy of the Lonely Planet's Cycling Ireland. It has a some route ideas
and some campgrounds.

Dave