Mount Brandon is one of those trails that should sit on everyones hiking to-do list. If it isnt on yours, then you definitely need to add it! I ticked it off my list recently by completing the Mount Brandon Loop. At 952 metres, Mount Brandon is Irelands third highest mountain (as per Mountaineering Irelands Highest []The post Mount Brandon Loop From Cloghane via the Faha Route appeared first on Wild Irish Walks.

Materials neededReplacement laces: If youre specifically replacing laces on Salomon shoes, make sure the replacement laces you buy are thin enough for the eyelets / loops on your Salomon. If youre changing other shoe brands, there tends to be more room to fit traditional laces, so you can buy alternative brands of locking laces (like Lock Laces). Scissors: for cutting off your old laces, and cutting the new laces down to size A lighter / controllable small flame (optional) View fullsize View fullsize Most lacing kits will come with their own simple instructions, so check if there are any obvious differences between what Im sharing and your own laces. Steps1. Cut off or unthread the old lace from your shoe. If it is just the mechanism thats broken you can consider cutting the very top of the lace so as to loose the least amount and reuse the existing lace. However, check the lace well to make sure that there arent any wear points, so that youre not re-doing this job in a few months time.2. Thread through the new lace (part C). From watching other peoples videos and reading reviews, this can often be the trickiest part for some, depending on how thin or narrow the eyelets are for the lace. If youve long loops to thread through, try applying pressure to the top or inside, to compress the shape and cause it to open slightly more. Others seem to find attaching a paper clip to the lace and pulling that through to be an easier option. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 3. Attach the new locking mechanism (part A). This will vary depending on the locking mechanism you have. The style that I bought, the replacement was very easy. Simply hold the device in the open position, and thread the lace from the bottom and out the top. The bottom on my set was the narrower end. I was able to hold the locking device with one hand, and thread the lace with the other. 4. Thread on the new lace stopper (part B). To prevent you loosening your laces so much that the locking mechanism comes off the end, there is a piece that joins or holds the ends of both laces. For me, this was a small piece of plastic that, when held upright, almost looked like a pair of shorts. Thread your lace through the individual legs / the smaller holes. I then loosely tied the laces just to keep the stopper on the laces. 5. Measure lace length before cutting. The recommended way for my lacing system was to put on the shoe, gently close the lace, and then leave approx. 10cm of extra lace of putting on and off the shoe.6. Cut lace, and tie stopper knots. I then cut my laces and tied small knots. Using a lighter, I very gently burnt the freshly cut ends of the laces to stop them from fraying in the future. Once at the desired length, I pulled tightly to secure them in the lace stopper. View fullsize View fullsize And now you have replaced your quick-release laces! Time to go forth and frolic, enjoy the trails once more. If youre a more visual learner, I have a YouTube video that documented this whole process. Other gear repairs and how tos: How to wash your down insulationHow to clean soft flasksHow to wash waterproofsHow to fit hiking bootsHow to pick a head torch

OverviewDistance: 15km Format: Looped trailTime: 3 - 5hrs, depending on how long you want to explore! Parking: We began our loop in Letter West at the Black Gate Community Centre. For parking, we went just slightly down the road to a small parking area that can fit 5 - 10 cars. If youre looking to start the walk from the eastern end, up in the pass between Caher mountain and Seefin, there is space for a few cars at the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point.Trail difficulty: ModerateThis route is a combination of a few different trails - so while you are on a way-marked path the whole time, you need to maintain your own awareness of when you need to turn onto a different path. Along the ridge and other off-road sections the ground can be very boggy, with very little built trail underfoot.Read how we rate trails here.Trail quality: 5/5I love the Sheeps Head Peninsula and the incredible work thats been done to develop the trail network that encompasses the whole headland. Views: 5/5While the hills are technically small, they feel much larger than they are, and give fantastic views all around. Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: NoDogs allowed: NoWhen was I here: March 2026External links: The Route on HiiKERSimilar route on The Sheep's Head Way WebsiteThe long-form video on YouTube The Sheeps Head feels like a secret. The smallest of the peninsulas on the south-west coast, these hills are covered in trails that link together and spread like a net cast wide. Ive been here a few times; many moons ago to walk The Sheep's Head Way; for a long weekend to do my Lowland Leader Training; and for brief moments when on the way to visit far-flung friends. So when the opportunity arose to spend another day down there, I jumped at it. My reason for coming to West Cork was to visit Leika, The Wandering Goldsmith, who I was collaborating with to make the Sl Signet. All our planning and ideas had so far been done over texts and voice notes. Now I was going to get to see the ring in person, check out her workshop, and take some photos of the finished product out on the trail! View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The loop we decided to do was one of Leikas favourites, and I was immediately sold when I saw it took in the ridge line of Caher mountain. I divide the ridge line of the headland into three sections: Easterly section: from Knockboolteenagh to Glan Lough (223m)Mid section: Glan Lough to Kilcrohane, taking in Seefin summit (345m)Westerly section: Kilcrohane to Letter West, taking in Caher mountain (338m), known as the Peakeen Ridge WalkThis third option is what we walked, starting in Letter West outside of the Black Gate Community Centre. Leaving the info board, its straight into an uphill climb along a short section of paved road. We then crossed over a large stile onto the hillside, and walked up onto the ridge heading NE. The waymarking in the area is extensive. There are so many different loops, linear walks, and thru-hikes that you can follow. There are so many in fact, that its easy to not pay attention for a moment, and continue along a trail you didnt mean to follow. We were primarily following the black and orange waymarkers to make this loop. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Sitting so westerly, the ridge can be quite exposed, and being an early March morning we had a few showers blow through, the wind a constant companion while we walked. Looking north the skyline is filled by the Beara Peninsula, as well as Bere Island and Whiddy Island. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize When you reach the small road through the minor pass, head left and left again at the first turn in the road, heading for the Mass Rock and the Horse Shoe Road (Sheeps Head Way signpost). After a few hundred metres the tarmac recedes and the path becomes wilder. Nice and sheltered by the hillside, this path still offers fantastic views with more accessible walking than the ridge trail. Im pretty sure one or two of my favourite stone waymarkers are along this section. The handmade elements of the trail infrastructure here really add a sense of constant care and love by the local community. After a couple of kilometres, you reach the Horse Shoe Road. While a road that cars can drive, it is almost more grass than tar in many places, and is very quiet. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize As you walk along the Horse Shoe Road, youll come to the Cahergal trail junction. You have several options to make it back to Letter West. We stuck to the Horse Shoe Road, which takes a wider loop around but is easy walking. However, you can take the right-hand trail heading up the hillside, climbing up and meeting the trail from the very start. This is a kilometre or so shorter than the road.Making it back to the car, we managed to get packed away before the next rain shower hit. Fingers numb and cheeks flushed with wind burn, my heart was full as we drove back to Clonakilty. This was something of a perfect day out. Thanks so much to Leika for hosting me and sharing the trails - I really enjoyed getting to take photos of our ring, and see one of my favourite places again. Further exploringCheck out all of the trails organised by county here.The Sheeps Head Way Website has incredible resources for all the trails on the head and in the wider area. Other trails in the area: The Sheeps Head WayBaltimore Beacon ViewpointLough Hyne & Knockomagh TrailThe Beara WayGougane Barra Forest ParkFavourite Local Coffee / Food Options:Brew, SkibbereenONeill Coffee, SkibbereenDrip Coffee, RosscarberyWazzy Woo, Clonakilty

Meeelrea (Maol Ridh) is the highest point in County Mayo - and in Connacht as a whole. A summit often shrouded in clouds, this mountain has both approachable slopes and sharp cliffs, offering many different levels of adventure. For this write-up Im focusing on the more approachable climb from Silver Strand. This mountain is one of the wilder places you can visit in Ireland, and deserves respect. If youre someone completing the County High Points List, this mountain is in the hard end of the list, along with the likes of Carrauntoohil and Benbaun. If youre new to the hills, Id strongly recommend finding a local mountain leader to take you (send me an email if you need a recommendation). Overview: Distance: approx. 9km round tripElevation gain: 862mFormat: Out and backTime: 3 - 5+ hoursStart / End / Parking: Climbing from the Silver Strand side means approaching the mountain from the NW. Driving out to this remote area, youll end up reaching the very SW tip of Clew Bay, before following signs south along the coast towards The Lost Valley. This road slowly becomes a single lane boreen, that ends at Silver Strand Beach. The start point for this hike is approx. 1km before the beach, at a wide bend in the road, grid reference L764 688.I parked in the lay-by beside the farm track you walk up to get onto the mountain. Theres only space for one or two cars. This is an active farm, and also one of the only wide passing points on the road, so you cannot block any gates, or prevent people from being able to pull in to let tractors pass. If youre coming as a group, dont want to park your car in the ditch, or theres no space when you arrive, continue down the lane to Silver Strand Beach Car Park, where theres a large car park (Google Maps link). Its a 10 - 15 minute walk from the car park back to the start point. Trail difficulty: Moderate - DifficultThe route Im describing for this climb is the easiest of the routes for this mountain, and so can make the mountain feel less than it is. Whats key to remember in the Irish hills is how, when its all going well, it can feel extremely safe. Mweelrea is somewhere that you can muddle through and be fine, or fall and have a very bad day. The first two third of this route is a long, slow, boggy climb in a somewhat straight line up the mountainside. The top third is along the exposed ridge, which Ive only ever experienced with strong winds and low clouds. An ability to deal with mountain hazards, steep ground and navigation is essential. Read about trail grading in Ireland here.Trail quality: 2/5Once you step onto the open hillside, there are several worn paths through bog and grass. Some of these paths are made by walkers, some by sheep, and all are changed by the water running down the hillside. Be aware that the path your following might not be leading you to the top. The summit requires confident navigation skills for is regularly cloud cover, and bad weather often blows in. Views: 3/5If you get a clear summit, the views are incredible. One of the drawbacks of approaching from Silver Strand when there is cloud cover, is that you only have one view for the whole hike. The area as a whole is beautiful.Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: NoDogs allowed: NoWhen did I walk this route: September 2026External resources: Learn more about this summit on MountainViewsMountainViews is always my first stop when it comes to info on summits around Ireland.EastWest Maps: the most detailed maps youll find of Ireland, heres a link to their maps of Connacht.The route on HiiKERFind all the County High Points of Ireland listed here Mayo is one of my favourite places. Theres a remoteness to the mountains that I love, and I find its emptiness a haven. No matter which side youre climbing from, driving out to Mweelrea is beautiful. Its a showery Friday morning in early September when I find myself on the slopes of this mountain once more. Starting from the farm lane (Grid Reference: L764 688) its an easy walk up to the gate onto the hillside (always keep closed as signage instructs). As I walk out Im greeted with the bleating of a few dozen sheep, some sounding expectant, as if I'm bringing a surprise bag of food - others dash off as if theyve never seen a human before. From here, you can see the whole mountain ahead of you - and pretty much your whole route if the weather is right. Looking left and somewhat north-eastwards, youll see the dramatic edge of Ben Bury and the other Bens that make up the NE ridge line. On a cloudy day like mine, they can look like the more immediate, impressing mountains. However, today Im heading to the very small bowl thats south-east of me, which will lead up onto the col north of Mweelrea. As I mentioned above, once you step onto the open hillside, there are several worn paths through bog and grass. Who made the path first, the walker or the sheep, well never know - and the rain doesnt care to know. As we move through the Irish seasons, and more water hits our hillsides, the run-off water will always take the path of least resistance, often channeling through a foot path. This can make some minor paths look far more used and substantial than they are. I noticed more than one path deviate off on an unusual contour on my way up. Mostly, this is a long-winded warning not to get too content looking at your feet, and take in your surroundings as you move up the slopes. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The wind was at least enjoyed by the crows, who swooped and dived on the gusts. A blessing or a curse, the winds were westerly the day I was there, and so as I looked out behind me to the sea, I could see the heavy showers approaching. As I reached approx. 500m evolution, I met two walkers coming down the hill, who were as surprised to see me as I was to see them. We swapped the usual brief greetings, and then continued on in our respective directions. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Making it up onto the col between Ben Bury and Mweelrea, the wind howled through. The conditions underfoot here turn more solid, wet bog swapping out for loose stone. Heading a few degrees off of south, this is the more dangerous section of the climb. Directly out east, to your left, are cliffs. The summit area is quite rounded and wide, with a small pile of loose stones stacked to mark it. Sitting on the leeward side of this tiny mound, the shelter was unexpectedly good. I ate a quick snack, appreciated the elements, and retraced my steps down the mountain. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This is not the only time Ive visited this faraway peak. The first time I climbed Mweelrea was the summer of 2023, as I worked my way around Ireland on the Vandeleur-Lynams Project. I summited it, and the other peaks that make up the ridge here, in very similar conditions. That day I had the wonderful company of my friend Ciaran, who joined Carl and I for a full week of this mountain adventure. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize However, the moment that will stay with me forever was a view of this mountain from the evening before. I was climbing Ben Gorm and the others across the valley. I hadnt done many of the summits in Mayo before, and so I didnt realise I was witnessing the best conditions over on Mweelrea - better than I could ever wish for. I had spent the morning on the other side of the fjord, doing the long walk in for Leenaun Hill in heavy, muggy weather. It was shaping up to be an extremely wet and stormy summer, but in that moment I was only trying to move through some oppressive heat. That evening, we picked up Ciaran and moved around to the north side of Killary. It was a cloudless day, and as the sun began to dip, gentle fingers of clouds crept in from the Atlantic and reached up over the shoulders of mountains. The colours of the sky, the textures of the clouds, and the shadows of the mountains created a painting no phone camera could ever do justice. Looking back on that evening, I now know how special a moment I was witnessing - and only a little bit regret that I wasn't across the valley for such a magical moment. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Further exploringFind all the County High Points here, and all the trails by county listed here.Other trails in the area: The Western Way: MayoThe Western Way: Galway Croagh Patrick Heritage TrailLetterkeen Loop, Wild Nephin National Park The Bangor Trail, Wild Nephin National Park Keenagh Loop: Mayo.ie info Viewpoints and beaches to visit: Silver Strand for a post mountain swim Doo Lough Valley Viewpoint - one of my favourite Wild Atlantic Way viewpoints (Google Maps)Old Head Beach and Bertra Beach for more stunning beachesFavourite Local Coffee / Food Options:The Misunderstood Heron, MurriskThis Must be the Place, Cafe in Westport Melodys Bew, coffee horse-box

The most common question we get from customers looking for campervan hire in Ireland is: which size do we need?It is a reasonable question. The answer depends on a few things: how many people are travelling, how you plan to use the van, and whether you have ever driven something larger than a regular car on Irish roads before.This guide covers the real differences between a 2-berth, 4-berth and 6-berth campervan, based on years of helping customers figure out which one suits their trip. At the end, there is a quick decision guide so you can work out which category you fall into without having to read the whole thing.Browse Our Full FleetWhat 2-berth means in practiceA 2-berth campervan is built for two people. The sleeping area converts either from the main seating area (a drop-down arrangement) or from a fixed rear bed, depending on the model. In our fleet, the V66 and V69 are the 2-berth options.Both are compact enough to handle the narrow roads of Connemara, Kerry and Donegal without any anxiety. The V69 in particular is popular with customers who want to drive something that feels more like a large car than a vehicle that requires special consideration at every junction. Both have a full kitchen (hob, oven, fridge, freezer), hot shower, toilet, and enough storage for two people on a trip of any length.One of our customers described the V66 as perfect for just the two of us after five days in Connemara. A couple who were thinking about buying their own van hired the V69 specifically to test it, with their two dogs, before committing. That is the kind of trip the 2-berth is built for.Who should choose 2-berth: couples travelling without children, two friends on a road trip, anyone who wants to drive something manoeuvrable on Irish roads.What 4-berth means in practiceA 4-berth has two sleeping areas: typically a main double or fixed island bed and a second area that converts from the dinette or drops down from above the cab. In our fleet, the Dethleffs 4-berth and the Sunlight A68 are the options here.The Dethleffs is notable for its island bed. It is a proper double, accessible from both sides, which is a significant comfort upgrade from a van where you have to climb over a sleeping partner. Customers specifically mention the island bed layout in reviews. For a family of three or four, this van has the space to feel like a proper home on the road: a table that seats four, a full kitchen, a bathroom, and a sleeping area that does not require everyone to reconfigure the furniture twice a day.The A68 is similarly capable. It is a well-designed 4-berth that works for small families and groups who want enough space without the footprint of the larger models.The 4-berth is the most versatile category in the fleet. It is big enough for a family with younger children, light enough to drive without specialist experience, and sized to fit into the same spaces as the 2-berth models on narrow roads.Who should choose 4-berth: families with one or two children, two couples travelling together, anyone who wants proper cooking and sleeping space without the bulk of a 6-berth.What 6-berth means in practiceA 6-berth campervan is genuinely large. The Sunlight A72 and A70 seat and sleep up to six people, with multiple fixed sleeping areas that do not require converting furniture every night. The A72 in particular has been to Kerry and back multiple times with full families on board. One customer described it as absolutely immaculate and warm and comfortable for the whole trip.The tradeoff for the extra space is size. The A72 and A70 are noticeably larger on the road than the 2 or 4-berth options. Irish roads, particularly the scenic ones on the Wild Atlantic Way, include single-track sections, passing places, and tight turns that are manageable in a 6-berth but require more attention than in a smaller van. They are not difficult to drive, but they are not something you can switch off about on the narrower roads.For a family of five or six, a group of adults sharing costs, or anyone who wants the trip to feel genuinely spacious rather than cosy, the 6-berth is the right choice.Who should choose 6-berth: families of five or six, groups of three adults who each want a proper sleeping area, longer trips where living space matters more than manoeuvrability.The luxury option: Sunlight T68The T68 is the newest addition to our fleet. It is a premium-specification van that sits outside the standard berth categories, designed for two people who want a notably higher level of finish: a larger fixed bed, a more spacious lounge area, premium materials throughout, and the same full kitchen and bathroom as the other models but with more attention to detail in the fit-out. If comfort and the quality of the interior space matters to you as much as the destinations, the T68 is worth a look. There is a demo video on the Sunlight T68 page.Quick decision guideTwo people travelling: V66 or V69. Small and easy to drive. Everything you need, nothing you do not.Family of three or four, or two couples: Dethleffs island bed or Sunlight A68. The island bed is the detail most customers are glad they chose. Book early it goes first.Family of five or six, or group sharing costs: Sunlight A72 or A70. Allow a little extra time on the narrow roads. The space is worth it.Two people who want the best-fitted van in the fleet: Sunlight T68. Newest model, premium finish, demo video available.How to bookThe full fleet is available to browse on our campervans page, with photos, layout details and availability for both our Roscommon and Greystones depots. If you are not sure which size suits your specific trip after reading this, you can call us and Joe or Christopher will help you figure it out. They have had this conversation a few hundred times and are good at it.Campervan holiday offersThe post Choosing the Right Campervan: 2-Berth vs 4-Berth vs 6-Berth appeared first on Craic N Campers.

Two people can take the same Irish campervan trip and spend very different amounts. The difference is not the quality of the van or the experience. It is when they go, how they book, and how they think about what is actually included in the price.This is a practical guide to getting genuine value from your time on Irish roads. Not a guide to finding the cheapest possible hire, but a guide to making sure you are spending money where it makes the trip better rather than where it disappears on things that do not matter.Campervan Holiday OffersBook For Shoulder SeasonThis is the single most effective move you can make for value on an Irish campervan holiday. Shoulder season (April through early June and September through October) gives you:Lower hire rates across the boardFar fewer vehicles at campsites, meaning better pitches and no queuingCooler weather that is, frankly, excellent for drivingEmpty roads, especially in the westThe same landscape, the same coast, the same wildness. Without the August traffic on the N59.Among people who have done the Irish campervan trip more than once, September in Connemara or Kerry is consistently rated better than August. The light is golden and long in the evenings. The roads are quieter. The campsites are relaxed. And the hire rates are noticeably lower.Most hirers offer specific shoulder season deals. Check the offers page for our current availability and pricing. Early booking for shoulder season dates is worth doing, as the best weeks go first.Book Early And In One GoCampervan hire in Ireland works like hotel pricing. The earlier you book, the better your rate, and last-minute availability at peak times is limited. If you are planning a summer trip, booking in March or April secures both availability and a better rate than June.Booking a longer hire in one go is also more cost-effective than booking multiple shorter trips. A seven-night hire generally works out better value per night than two three-night hires separately.Understand What Is Included And What Is NotThe reason some campervan hires feel expensive is that the headline price does not reflect the full cost. Hidden extras (insurance upgrades, linen charges, generator fees, cleaning levies) can add up quickly.When you hire from Craic N Campers, the price includes 24-hour breakdown cover across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK, a full gas cylinder, fresh water, and a fully equipped kitchen and sleeping area. There is no charge for breakdown cover as an add-on. What you can add if you want it: bed linen and towels, a table and chairs, a bike rack.Before you book anywhere, ask the simple question: what is included in this price, and what are the common extras? Customers who have shopped around have specifically mentioned that our transparency on this was a reason they chose us. Knowing the full cost upfront is not a small thing.Choose the right van for your group sizeHiring a van that is larger than you need costs more and is harder to drive. Hiring one that is too small makes the trip uncomfortable.For two people, the V66 or V69 is the right choice. Compact enough for Irish roads including the narrow ones, with everything a couple needs and no wasted space. For a family of three or four, the Dethleffs or Sunlight A68 gives proper sleeping areas, a full kitchen, and space to move around without constant negotiation. For larger groups or families with teenagers, the A72 or A70 is the right call. The space is worth it for longer trips especially. View our full fleet to compare sizes and layouts.Over-hiring on size adds cost at both ends: hire rate and fuel. The narrow roads of Connemara and Kerry in particular are easier in a mid-size van than a large one.Use campsites strategically, not every nightCampsite fees add up on a longer trip. The good news is that Ireland has a genuine wild camping culture, particularly in the west, and responsible overnight parking in scenic areas is common, low-cost, and often the highlight of a trip.A sensible approach for a seven-night trip is two or three nights at a campsite with full facilities (shower, electric hookup, waste disposal) and the remaining nights at quieter spots. This keeps costs down and gives you the freedom that is the whole point of the campervan holiday.Our guide to wild camping in Ireland covers the rules, the best spots, and what you need to know before you pull off the road and stay somewhere unexpected.Think about fuel honestlyDiesel campervans do not return the same fuel economy as a car. Budget for roughly 80-120 in fuel per 1,000km depending on the van size and driving style. For a seven-night trip covering 1,500-2,000km (typical for an Irish road trip) that is 120-240 in fuel.The main variables are driving speed (slower is notably more economical on these roads), route choice (the Atlantic coast roads are slower and more scenic, and are also more economical than motorway driving), and van size.What actually makes a trip feel expensiveThe trips that feel expensive in retrospect are usually the ones where the costs were hidden upfront rather than the ones that actually cost the most. A clear price, a clean van, a quick pickup, and knowing exactly what to do if something goes wrong: those are the things that make a hire feel like good value, regardless of the number on the invoice.Check current offers and available dates to plan your trip. Both our campervan hire in Roscommon and Greystones depot have availability throughout the year, with the best shoulder season deals available for early bookings.The post How to Get the Best Price on Your Irish Road Trip appeared first on Craic N Campers.

The most common feeling people describe before their first campervan hire is a vague nervousness that they cannot quite explain. They are not nervous about driving. They have been driving for years. They are nervous about the unknown: what happens on the day, what is actually in the campervan, what to do if something goes wrong at midnight on a quiet road in Connemara.Most of those worries dissolve within an hour of collecting the campervan. But it helps to know what the process looks like before you arrive. This guide covers everything from booking to return, based on exactly how the hire works at Craic N Campers.Browse Our Full FleetStep 1: BookingYou can book online through the booking engine on our site, or call us directly. Phone bookings take a 250 deposit to secure the dates. Online bookings take 50% of the total hire cost at the time of booking.If you book by phone, Joe at our Roscommon depot or Christopher at Greystones depot will walk you through the options: which campervan suits your group, which dates work, what to consider for your route. Most first-time hirers find that a five-minute phone conversation answers every question they had. The balance is due a couple of weeks before your start date.Once you have booked, the dates are confirmed and the campervan is held for you.Step 2: Choosing your security deposit optionThis is the part of the process that generates the most questions, so it is worth explaining clearly.We offer three security deposit tiers. Each one sets your excess the maximum you would be liable for in the unlikely event of accidental damage and the lower two tiers carry a daily charge to bring that excess down.Standard Cover 2,000 excess: no additional daily charge.Mid-Level Cover 1,000 excess: an additional 15 per day.Premium Cover 500 excess: an additional 50 per day. This is also our most comprehensive tier on top of the lower excess, it includes cover for damage to mirrors, windscreen and tyres.In short: the more you pay per day, the lower your excess and the more youre covered for. Premium Cover gives you the most protection of the three.All deposits are fully refundable if the campervan comes back in the same condition it left.You choose your deposit option when you book. You can change it right up until the online check-in two days before pickup. Many customers take time to think it over and adjust their choice once they have read the full details.Think of it like choosing an excess on a car insurance policy: the lower your excess, the more you pay per day for that lower risk. Most customers on shorter trips choose Mid-Level Cover a middle ground between no daily fee and full peace of mind. Customers doing longer or more remote trips more often choose Premium Cover, since it carries the lowest excess of the three and is the only tier that also covers mirror, windscreen and tyre damage the kind of wear-and-tear that becomes more likely the further and longer youre on the road.Step 3: The online check-in (two days before pickup)Two days before your hire begins, you receive an email with a link to the online check-in. This is where the trip actually starts to feel real.In the online check-in you will: upload a photo of your driving licence, confirm your personal details, finalise your deposit tier choice, and add any extras you want, such as a table and chairs. A bike rack comes as standard with every hire, so theres nothing to add there.By the time you arrive at the depot, the paperwork is largely done. The online check-in takes about ten minutes.Step 4: Pickup dayArrive at the depot at your agreed time. Plan for about 30 minutes for the full pickup process. It is thorough but relaxed.When you arrive, you will sign the rental agreement and confirm your return time. A member of the team will sit down with you and be realistic about return. This is worth taking seriously: we dont offer Sunday drop-off, and our minimum rental is three nights, so a Friday pickup means a Monday morning return. The return time is agreed at pickup, and being late when the next customer is waiting is the one thing that causes the most friction in the hire process.After the agreement is signed, the security deposit is taken.Then comes the demonstration. A member of the team will take you through the entire campervan: every system, every switch, every compartment. You will learn how to turn the gas on and off, how the water system works and how to fill the fresh water tank, how to set up the sleeping areas, how the heating works on electrical hook-up and on gas, how to use the toilet and where to empty the cassette, and how to hook up to an electric pitch at a campsite.This sounds like a lot. In practice it takes about 20 minutes, and by the end you know the campervan well enough to feel comfortable. Its worth giving this demonstration your full attention every campervan also has QR codes on board linking to quick refresher guides for each system, so you can check back any time during your trip if something slips your mind. Members of the team have done this demonstration hundreds of times and are very good at it: calm, patient, and good at reading whether you need more time on any particular system.After the demonstration, you load your bags, and you are on the road. Most people say this is the moment the holiday actually begins.Step 5: During the hireThe campervan is yours. Go where you planned, or change the plan. Both work.If something slips your mind while youre away how to reset the heating, how the waste disposal point at a campsite works the QR codes on board are the quickest way to find the answer, the same ones covered in your pickup demonstration. Our out-of-hours number is there for genuine emergencies during your trip.Every hire includes full 24-hour breakdown cover across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. If the campervan has a mechanical issue, you call the breakdown number, not us. But it is included, it is real, and it covers you throughout the trip.Step 6: Returning the campervanYou receive a text message the day before your return to confirm the time. Arrive at the agreed time.When you return, you unload first. Then the campervan is inspected together with a member of the team you are present for the whole check, and nothing happens out of sight. If there is no damage, the security deposit is released. If there is minor damage, it is discussed at that point.A few days later, we send a personal thank-you email. If the deposit is being returned, it is confirmed in that email. There is also a link to leave a review. No obligation, but it genuinely matters to a small business, and we read every one.What is inside the campervanEvery hire includes:Fully equipped kitchen: hob, oven, grill, fridge, freezer, crockery, glasses, cutlery, pots and pansA hot showerA private toiletThe main sleeping area12V power inverter for charging phones and devicesCentral heatingCab air conditioningWhat you need to bring:FoodPersonal toiletriesClothesBed linenThe question everyone asks: is it hard to drive?Shorter than you think to get used to. Most of our fleet is automatic, which makes a significant difference on Irish roads though it is a mix, so do check when you book if this matters to you. Width awareness takes a day. After that, most customers report it feels normal.The one thing worth knowing: in Connemara, Kerry and Donegal, some roads are single-track with passing places. You slow down, one of you pulls in, the other passes, everyone waves. It is not stressful once you accept it as the pace of the west of Ireland.Getting startedBrowse our full fleet to choose the right campervan for your group. If you are picking up from our Greystones depot and arriving from Dublin Airport, the Dublin Airport pickup guide has the full directions and journey time. Our FAQ page has answers to the most common pre-hire questions.If you are still unsure about anything, call us. First-timer questions are what Joe and Christopher answer most days, and they are genuinely good at it.Browse Our Full FleetThe post First Time Hiring a Campervan in Ireland? Here Is Everything You Need to Know (2026) appeared first on Craic N Campers.

In the north-west of Ireland, you will find wild mountains being left to nature, with narrow trails winding over ridges and wrapping around hillsides. Youll find silence, and then the thousand tiny sounds of nature will fill your ears. OverviewDistance: 10 - 12km Format: Looped trailTime: 2.5 - 5hrs, depending on how long you want to explore! Parking: the primary parking for this loop is the Letterkeen Trail Head (Google Maps link). If youre visiting and its busy, there is another car park about a 15 minute walk away: Sragrevagh Trailhead (Google Maps link). Letterkeen can suffer from overcrowding, so if youre coming as a group (especially in the summer) carpooling is advisable. Trail difficulty: Easy - ModerateThis is a waymarked route with purple arrows. You walk along riverbanks, stony valley floors, forest trails and woodland. Read how we rate trails here.Trail quality: 5/5This has long been one of my favourite trails. The terrain underfoot is great - with no road walking, and only a short while on forestry access tracks towards the end.Views: 5/5For a trail that only reaches a high point of 311m, the views of the surrounding mountains are fantastic. Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: NoDogs allowed: Yes - keep dogs on leadToilets: There are permanent port-a-loos installed at the Letterkeen Trail HeadWhen was I here: July 2026External links: National Parks WebsiteFind the route GPX on HiiKEROur long-form video on YouTube The Letterkeen Trailhead is somewhere Ive visited many times; most notably, when walking the Western Way back in 2018 (with extremely bruised soles and skin that had been eaten alive by the intense midgies that Mayo is infamous for) and last year in March 2025 to walk the Bangor Trail with my friend Pauline. To come back and film some of the day hikes that the NPWS have developed has been on my to-do list for far too long. And so on a mid-July morning, I pulled into an almost-empty trail head car park. My main fear as I opened the van door was the already mentioned munching insects. However the mild threat of rain that hung over the area seemed to be keeping the worst away, and so I began to pack my bag quickly and get on trail. The route is listed as 12km on all the signage, but I think its closer to 10.5km. However, if its your first time visiting the park, its worth budgeting some extra walking in your legs in case you see view points you want to explore. The Letterkeen Loop is the longest of the four looped walks that leave the main car park. At the trailhead there are also permanent port-a-loos, and the Brogan Carroll bothy. This is the first true bothy I ever experienced in Ireland, and as far as Im aware, was the first one to be renovated/created. Its a simple, single stone room with a map of the park, a notice board with shuttle bus details and other things worth noting for walkers passing through. The old famine cottage was renovated by Mayo County Council and An Taisce thanks to donations by two Irish-Americans, John Brogan and Barry Carroll. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize All the trails here are way-marked in one direction. Beforehand I wouldve said Im not a fan of this idea - but it means that your experience of the park feels more empty than it might be. If youre all walking in the same direction, your only chance to overlap is when someone takes a long enough break. So as I set off on the path out of the car park and over the wooden bridge, I was pretty much alone. The path meanders around some gorse and along the riverside, narrow enough that it feels like it gets more sheep traffic than human. The river gully is deep, and in summer the ferns stand tall along the banks. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize After maybe a kilometre, the trail makes its way from the twisting riverbanks and widens into a stony path. At the 1.5km mark, blue arrows point into the forest, marking the turn off for the 5km Bothy Loop. There is an imperceptible uphill to this valley, and as you look ahead and see the small rise ahead, you can see the trail cut across the top of it. This climb feels a little more serious, but is still pleasant and gives great views back down the valley. Along this stretch youll also come across weathered way-markers from the Bangor Trail - the little green walking man almost consumed by the grey lichens. After youve passed the 4km mark, youll encounter another turn off to the right with a red way-marker: this is the Lough Avoher Loop. If the climb you just did was as much climbing as youre able for today, take this turn off. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Only a few hundred meters ahead is the Lough Avoher Shelter. This is one of two such Adirondack Shelters in the National Park. Mountain Meitheal (Irelands volunteer trail building organisation) adopted this style of shelter and have built several around the country along different trails (learn more here). I love these little huts, and had planned for this to be my lunch break. Arriving in the height of the summer season, there was more rubbish left behind than Ive previously seen, but not terribly mistreated. Ten days later I was back with a group, and we removed what was there. Overall, I feel like the people who visit this area respect the Leave No Trace or Pack it in, Pack it out mentality, because its a little harder to get here than most places, and fewer people know it exists. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Leaving the shelter, the trail consistently climbs. Quite quickly, the tree line changes from being a tall presence hugging the path, to swishing branches below. The lake of Lough Avoher peeps through the branches. The trail here actually hugs the park boundary, although youd have no idea apart from the line drawn on a map. For the 2km after the shelter, the ground is a little more boggy than before, and the trail dips in and out of the forest. Soon, the path comes to the highest point of the loop, a 311m spot height with no name that I know of. The views all around are beautiful, even on the hazy day that I was there filming. Descending from here, there is a more substantial forest section. There are some fallen trees inside the forest which look a little dramatic, but overall its still very passable. This section can also be muddy and slippy. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Popping out of the other end of the forest, the little ridge line of Aroher Hill feels almost tall and imposing ahead of you. But the trail turns left, and brings you down onto the easy-going forestry track that the Western Way also follows, back to the Letterkeen trailhead. On the way youll pass other designated camping locations, an etherial elk*, and the steady flow of water once more. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize * Tenaya is a life-sized willow sculpture of an Irish Elk by artist Brendan Farren. The Irish Elk, Megaloceros giganteus, was a species of giant prehistoric deer that it is thought to have gone extinct some 8000 years ago due to human hunting and the changing climate.The sculpture was commissioned by the National Parks & Wildlife Service to commemorate the twinning of Wild Nephin National Park with Yosemite National Park in May 2024, and installed along the Letterkeen Looped walk in Wild Nephin. It is named after Tenaya, the last leader of the Ahwahnechee native people in the Yosemite Valley. Indeed the Nephin Beg range of mountains is, I think, the very loneliest place in this countryROBERT LLOYD PRAEGER Further exploringThis area is truly quite remote, so some of my recommendations below are for Mayo in general:Other trails in the area: The Western Way: Mayo (multi-day hike)The Western Way: Galway (multi-day hike)Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail (multi-day hike)Keenagh Loop: Mayo.ie info (day hike)Favourite Local Coffee / Food Options:The Misunderstood Heron, MurriskThis Must be the Place, Cafe in Westport Other media: Stephen Reids video of the Bangor Trail includes some great research on the history of the area

You simply just need to do this Masatiompan and Sauce Creek walk. I found it amazing. Some of the highlights of the 15km hike include spectacular cliff walking above Sauce Creek, a World War Two plane crash site and a 1,500-year-old Ogham stone. Youve also got breathtaking views of Irelands Atlantic coastline throughout. Masatiompan is []The post Masatiompan and Sauce Creek Walk on the Dingle Peninsula appeared first on Wild Irish Walks.

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