The Wild Atlantic Way
by Classic Campervan
Ireland's west coast is one of the great classic-campervan routes in Europe. These guides are written specifically for owners of vintage VW and classic campervans — the roads a T2 can and cannot handle, the overnight spots suited to high-profile vehicles, the breakdown network in remote areas, and the ferry routes for those coming from Britain.
These guides assume you're touring in a T2, T3, T4, or similar classic campervan with its own particular characteristics. Speed is not the objective. Gradient matters. Knowing which roads to avoid in a 50-year-old van matters. If you're looking to hire a modern campervan for an Irish tour, our sister site campers.ie covers the rental operators and routes from that angle.
Route guides
Three route guides covering the sections of the Wild Atlantic Way most popular with Irish classic campervan owners. Each guide includes specific T2/T3 road notes, classic VW mechanical considerations (overheating on climbs, speed comfort zones), and overnight spots that work for distinctive vehicles.
Wild Atlantic Way — Full Run
The complete Atlantic coast from Kinsale to Malin Head in a classic campervan. T2 comfort zones on the long coastal stretches, the mountain passes to avoid, ferry options for crossing from Britain, and the campsite network for a 2-week run.
Connemara & Mayo
Sky Road, the Killary Fjord, Achill Island. The central section of the Wild Atlantic Way is the most popular stretch for Irish classic camper owners — and the one with the most T2-specific road notes. Sky Road in a Bay Window: what to expect.
Kerry & The Ring
The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula in a classic campervan. The anti-clockwise strategy applies even more forcefully in a T2 — you cannot match coach-tour pace. Notes on Slea Head, the Connor Pass, and what to do if your T2 overheats on a Kerry pass.
All routes at a glance
| Route | Distance | Classic difficulty | Recommended season | T2 suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Atlantic Way — Full Run | ~2,500km | Hard (long distances, exposed roads, mountain passes) | June–September | With preparation — avoid Healy Pass and Slea Head |
| Connemara & Mayo | ~350km loop | Moderate (Sky Road is fine for T2 under 5.5m) | May–September | Good — manageable with standard T2 preparation |
| Kerry & The Ring | ~230km + Dingle | Moderate-Hard (Kerry passes, Slea Head narrow) | May–September | Ring: fine. Slea Head: compact T2 only with caution. |
Our sister site campers.ie has the full Irish rental operator guide — independent editorial verdicts on Bunk Campers, Indie Campers, Killarney Campervans, and the other major operators. If you'd like to hire a modern campervan to compare the experience to your classic, the guide is at campers.ie →
Classic campervan touring — general notes for Ireland
Before heading out on any long Irish route in a classic campervan, a few practical considerations apply regardless of which route you choose:
- Speed comfort zone: A well-maintained T2 is comfortable at 70–80km/h on open roads. The Irish speed limit on national roads is 100km/h — you will be a slow vehicle. Keep left, use passing places, and don't feel pressured to exceed your comfortable cruising speed by impatient following traffic.
- Overheating: The air-cooled 1600cc flat-four in a T2 can overheat on long sustained climbs in high summer. Stop at the top of passes, let the engine cool, and keep an eye on the oil temperature. Kerry and Connemara mountain passes are the key concern areas.
- Breakdown cover: The AA's classic car breakdown cover and the RAC's equivalent both include classic campervans. Ensure your policy covers breakdown on unmarked or private roads — some rural campsite access routes technically fall outside standard roadside cover.
- NCT/roadworthiness: Vehicles over 30 years old are exempt from NCT (National Car Test) in Ireland but should be in roadworthy condition regardless. For UK-registered T2s touring Ireland, the UK MOT should be current.