A 7-day campervan loop through Mayo, Achill Island and Donegal
Estimated cost
€935estimated total
Stays
€280
Fuel
€145
Food
€420
Other
€90
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
80 km1h 8mDepart 07:37
Start
Dublin, Ireland
Drive 80 km in ~1h 8min from Dublin via the M4, using the signed surface car parks near the center.
80 km1h 8m
1
Food
Church Restaurant Mullingar
Mullingar, Ireland
08:45–09:3045m here€14
Breakfast in a converted landmark church
Park at Blackhall Place surface car park and order the full Irish breakfast; this is an easy first pause without taking the van into tight streets.
Day 2
292 km4h 22mDepart 07:30
Check out of Westport Leisure Park Car Park, then drive 2 km in ~8min to Mill Street surface parking and walk to the café.
176 km2h 15m
2
Food
This Must Be The Place
Westport, Ireland
09:45–10:3045m here€14
Well-regarded café breakfast in Westport
Walk in from the Quay if weather allows and order the breakfast bap with good coffee; opening hours should be reconfirmed the previous evening.
Drive 9.1 km in ~11 min west on the R335, a scenic coastal road with a proper visitor-center car park.
9 km11m
3
Attraction
Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre
Murrisk, Ireland
10:41–13:413h here€5
Gateway to Ireland’s holy mountain
Park in the official Murrisk lot and attempt only the lower pilgrim trail in poor weather; the upper cone is steep, loose and fully exposed.
Walk 1 km in ~10min from the visitor-center area, using the roadside footpath carefully.
1 km3m
4
Food
The Tavern Bar & Restaurant
Westport, Ireland
13:44–14:441h here€23
Mayo cooking beneath Croagh Patrick
Keep the van in the visitor-center area where permitted and order chowder or local fish; reserve by phone if Friday lunch bookings look busy.
Drive 20 km in ~22 min via the R335 through the Sheeffry valley, where roads narrow and passing places matter.
20 km22m
5
Attraction
Bunlahinch Clapper Footbridge
County Mayo, Ireland
15:06–15:3630m here
Ancient stone crossing in the Mayo hills
Pull fully into the designated roadside space and do not block farm access; this unusual stone bridge is a worthwhile short Wild Atlantic Way stop.
6
Food
The Amethyst Bar
Keel, Ireland
18:00–19:151h 15m here€26
Casual island pub with hearty meals
Park in the pub’s surface area only with staff approval and order seafood or lamb; confirm kitchen hours because September service can finish early.
Drive 1 km in ~4min from the village to the beachfront surface car park.
1 km2m
7
Overnight
Keel Camping
Achill Island, Ireland
19:17–06:3011h here€104
Beachfront public parking on Achill Island
Read every posted sign and ask locally before settling; keep awnings and chairs packed away, with Achill Camping as the legal paid fallback.
Day 3
7,895 km146h 12mDepart 07:30
8
Overnight
Belleek Woods Car Park
Ballina, Ireland
23:59–06:4510h 30m here
Woodland-edge public surface parking
Return only if signage permits overnight parking and avoid isolated overflow spaces; Belleek Caravan Park is the nearby paid fallback if challenged.
Day 4
7,920 km146h 45mDepart 07:30
9
Food
Hargadon Bros
Sligo, Ireland
23:59–23:591h 15m here€28
Historic pub specializing in Irish produce
Park at Connaughton Road’s surface spaces and reserve for Sunday dinner; choose the beef or seafood and avoid driving into pedestrianized lanes.
Drive 10 km in ~16 min from Sligo to Strandhill via the R292, avoiding central side streets.
10 km16m
10
Overnight
Strandhill Caravan and Camping Park
Strandhill, Ireland
23:59–06:4510h 30m here
Large coastal parking area west of Sligo
Check signs for overnight restrictions and remain inside the vehicle without camping furniture; use nearby Strandhill Caravan Park if parking is barred.
Day 5
8,102 km149h 56mDepart 07:57
Check out of Strandhill Beach Car Park, then walk 1 km in ~8min along the seafront to the café.
1 km3m
11
Food
Shells Cafe
Strandhill, Ireland
08:00–08:4545m here€14
Popular beachfront café and bakery
Walk over from the beachfront parking and order eggs with fresh soda bread; arrive at opening because this small room fills quickly even on weekdays.
12
Attraction
Donegal Castle
Donegal, Ireland
09:51–11:061h 15m here€5
Restored Gaelic stronghold beside the Eske
Park at the large public lot off Quay Street and walk across town; the restored tower is compact enough for a focused visit before lunch.
Walk 1 km in ~3min from Donegal Castle across the Diamond.
1 km4m
13
Food
Olde Castle Seafood Bar
Donegal Town, Ireland
12:35–13:351h here€27
Well-known seafood beside Donegal Castle
Reserve this morning and order Killybegs fish or chowder; keep the campervan at Quay Street because the restaurant sits on a tight central corner.
Drive 46 km in ~50 min via Killybegs and Carrick, staying on signed routes rather than minor coastal shortcuts.
46 km50m
14
Attraction
Sliabh Liag Cliff Experience & Visitor Centre
Teelin, Ireland
14:25–16:552h 30m here€12
Gateway to towering Atlantic sea cliffs
Leave the campervan at the visitor center and use the shuttle if operating; Bunglass access is narrow, steep and often unsuitable for larger vans.
Drive 19 km in ~27 min back to Killybegs along the R263 and N56, taking care on bends west of Carrick.
19 km27m
15
Food
The Fleet Inn Guesthouse & Restaurant
Killybegs, Ireland
18:15–19:301h 15m here€29
Harbor dining in Ireland’s fishing port
Use the Shore Road surface parking and ask for the landed fish of the day; call after lunch because Monday kitchen hours can change in September.
Drive 7962 km in ~147h 26min from The Fleet Inn to the harbor-side parking area.
7,962 km147h 26m
16
Overnight
Shore Road Car Park Killybegs
Killybegs, Ireland
23:59–06:4011h here
Harbor-side public surface parking
Check local signs and ask nearby businesses whether one-night parking is tolerated; keep clear of working-harbor access and early delivery routes.
Day 6
8,084 km149h 42mDepart 07:30
Check out of Shore Road Car Park Killybegs, then walk 1 km in ~8min along the harbor to the café.
7,961 km147h 26m
17
Food
Ahoy Cafe
County Donegal, Ireland
23:59–23:5945m here€14
Harbor café serving a hearty breakfast
Walk from Shore Road and choose the cooked breakfast; check Tuesday opening the night before and use Sweet News as the central fallback.
Drive 20 km in ~22 min via the N56 and R230, a steep mountain crossing with sharp bends.
20 km22m
18
Attraction
Col Glengesh
County Donegal, Ireland
23:59–23:5930m here
Dramatic mountain road and valley viewpoint
Stop only in the marked viewpoint pull-off and descend in low gear; avoid this exposed pass in dense fog or severe wind due to tight hairpins.
Drive 13 km in ~19 min through Ardara on a narrow local road, turning around only where there is ample van space.
13 km19m
19
Attraction
Assaranca Waterfall (Eas a' Ranca)
County Donegal, Ireland
23:59–23:5925m here
Roadside waterfall in a rugged valley
Pull fully into the surfaced lay-by and keep the roadway clear; recent rain makes this short stop especially rewarding, but spray reaches the verge.
20
Attraction
Glenveagh National Park Visitor Centre
Church Hill, Ireland
23:59–23:593h here€15
Mountain park surrounding a remote castle
Use the large visitor-center car park and take the shuttle toward the castle; book no fixed hike because September cloud can obscure the hills.
21
Overnight
Killahoey Beach
County Donegal, Ireland
23:59–06:4511h here€176
Coastal public parking outside Dunfanaghy
Inspect signs and any height barrier before committing; if overnighting is prohibited, use the paid Corcreggan Mill campervan area nearby.
Day 7
376 km5h 48mDepart 07:57
Check out of Killahoey Beach Car Park, then drive 2 km in ~6min into Dunfanaghy and park in the main public lot.
1 km3m
22
Food
The Green Man
Dunfanaghy, Ireland
08:00–08:4545m here€14
Café breakfast in central Dunfanaghy
Use the main village surface lot and order a hot breakfast with local baking; confirm Wednesday opening before leaving the beach parking area.
Drive 13 km in ~15 min via the N56 and the signed castle road, which narrows on the final approach.
13 km15m
23
Attraction
Doe Castle
County Donegal, Ireland
09:10–10:0050m here
Gaelic tower house beside Sheephaven Bay
Use the castle’s small surface lot only if space allows and skip the interior if closed; the waterside grounds remain worthwhile and freely accessible.
Drive 29 km in ~34 min via Carrigart and the R247, following lighthouse signs instead of narrower coastal diversions.
29 km34m
24
Attraction
Fanad Head Lighthouse
Baile Láir, Ireland
11:00–12:301h 30m here€12
Landmark lighthouse above the Atlantic
Reserve the next available guided tour tonight and use the official visitor lot; allow extra time for wind, steps and exposed cliffside viewpoints.
Drive 77 km in ~1h 15min via Rathmullan and Buncrana, using the signed main roads around Lough Swilly.
77 km1h 15m
25
Food
The Railway Tavern
Fahan, Ireland
13:45–14:451h here€24
Regional cooking overlooking Lough Swilly
Use the tavern’s surface parking after placing the van at the edge and order the fish special; this provides a proper meal before the Dublin run.
Drive 13 km in ~16 min via the N13 and the signed hill road, watching for coaches on the upper bends.
13 km16m
26
Attraction
Grianan of Aileach
County Donegal, Ireland
15:01–15:4645m here
Ancient hillfort with sweeping Donegal views
Use the upper car park only if wind and space permit; otherwise walk from below, as the final access road is narrow and exposed.
243 km3h 25m
Finish
Dublin, Ireland
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Ask locally and read signs at every proposed overnight car park; free parking does not automatically permit sleeping or camping.
- 2Refuel in Westport, Ballina, Sligo, Killybegs or Letterkenny before the more remote Achill and Donegal coastal legs.
- 3Use Sliabh Liag’s visitor-center shuttle rather than driving the campervan toward Bunglass when the service is operating.
- 4Check independent café and pub opening hours each evening; September weekday service can be reduced outside larger towns.
- 5Reach Keem Bay and Downpatrick Head early for easier van parking and fewer vehicles on narrow approach roads.
- 6Download offline route sections and reject navigation shortcuts onto unnamed lanes, especially around Fanad and west Donegal.
Good to know
- 1Overnight sleeping may be prohibited even where daytime parking is free; posted restrictions override this plan, so retain the named paid fallbacks.
- 2Ireland has no motorway vignette, and standard M1/M4 tolls accept card or cash; the M50 uses barrier-free electronic tolling.
- 3Achill, Glengesh, Fanad and Sliabh Liag approaches include narrow roads, blind bends and limited turning space unsuitable for rushed driving.
- 4Height barriers may appear at beach car parks without notice; inspect entrances before turning in and never force access around a barrier.
- 5Strong Atlantic wind can close exposed trails or make campervan doors unsafe at Keem, Downpatrick Head, Sliabh Liag and Fanad.
- 6Central Dublin is excluded, but the final return may enter traffic restrictions; follow the M1/M50 approach appropriate to the destination address.
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