Planning permission sought for glamping and campervan park on Cromane Strand

A letter to The Southern Star criticizes local authorities for lacking facilities for motorhome users, citing European examples. The author notes that motorhomes have toilets that need emptying every two days, but public toilets and campsites are often unavailable, especially in winter. Installing service points, like in Cobh, has boosted footfall and revenue. The author urges councils to adopt similar measures.

A surge in campervans at Inver beach in Drumbeg has sparked calls for a height barrier. Locals complain of congestion and lack of parking spaces.

A Ford Transit Custom PHEV converted to a camper in Ballymena received a VRT bill of €8,500 at 13.3%, though the owner expected 8% due to CO2 emissions of 37g/km. Revenue's criteria state that Category B VRT at 8% applies to motor caravans, while 13.3% applies only to vehicles with emissions of 120g/km or higher. If the conversion meets specific requirements (seats, table, sleeping accommodation, cooking and storage), the owner can appeal within 30 days; otherwise, they may need to pay and then appeal.

Irish journalist Conor Power rented a Cozy Cottage motorhome on a Volkswagen base for 234 euros per night and spent a week traveling around Ireland. He praised the vehicle's ease of handling and the sense of freedom, but criticized the country's inadequate infrastructure for motorhomes, including limited overnight spots and difficulties finding water and sanitation services. As a result, he often had to stay at campsites, adding 20–25 euros per night to his costs.

In 2024, the Wild Atlantic Way attracted 9.8 million tourists, with an estimated 168,000 staying in campsites and motorhomes. In West Cork, campervan tourists face a shortage of affordable, serviced sites: a municipal aire in Cobh costs €10 per night, while commercial campsites charge up to €50. Local councillors are calling for regulation and more facilities, and Fáilte Ireland is developing an action plan to support campervan infrastructure.

Jan-Peter Nagel, based in Cork, began traveling and living in a van in 1999, long before vanlife became mainstream. He creates bespoke campervan conversions with handcrafted natural timber interiors and custom design elements. His company Unfollow Camper Vans builds off-grid-ready vans with solar panels, lithium batteries, and diesel heaters.