Happy campers

GO IRELAND: If you thought camping Irish-style meant asking a farmer for shelter under his hedge, you're missing out. These days many Irish campsites rival the best abroad and, while they can't promise the best weather, pick the right one and there'll be plenty to do. SANDRA O'CONNELLrounds up some of the best

Wicklow

Hidden Valley Holiday Park, Rathdrum:set in a beautiful valley overlooking waterfalls on the Avonmore river and the park's own lake, this four-star park is one of the best around. A haven for nature lovers, particularly those interested in our feathered friends, it's the perfect place to spot kingfishers, cranes, wild geese, ducks, pheasants and even red kites in a terrific setting.

The park has an outdoor adventure playground including climbing web. There is organised football, fishing, swimming, kayaking and bicycle hire as well as new bumper boats for the lake. There’s an open air cinema, themed weekends and opportunities for campfires on the river’s edge.

Avonmore river kayaking tours and Sally Gap downhill cycling tours both leave from the park and provide gear.

Scenic Rathdrum is a terrific base for a holiday, being close to both the beaches and the mountains around Glendalough. Just up the road is the forest park at Avondale.

Cost:site fee is €12 in high season, plus €6 per adult, and €4 per child per night. See

irelandholidaypark.com.

River Valley Park, Redcross: this has won a slew of awards and a quick look makes it easy to see why. The family-run park has an indoor sports hall, an outdoor playground and a tots playground, as well as par three golf, crazy golf and three tennis courts. It has its own petting farm, remote control cars and boats, and a kids' club that includes both morning and evening entertainment.

Though the campsite is situated in the village, campers have their own restaurant and pub, with trad sessions and dancing from June to September.

The arboretum at Kilmacurra is just up the road. Wicklow town, the beaches at Brittas Bay and Silver Strand, are a 10-minute drive away, while Powerscourt’s gardens and waterfall are just up the N11.

Cost: June to August is €12 for your tent, €6 per adult and €4 per child, per night. See

rivervalleypark.com.

Tipperary

Ballinacourty House Caravan and Camping Park, Glen of Aherlow:situated in the magnificent Glen of Aherlow, this campsite is set on the grounds of a high walled Victorian kitchen garden.

The 18th century courtyard is overlooked by a restaurant, BB and self-catering apartments, and is a gorgeous stopping off point at which to relax, read the paper, a book or plan the next day’s trip. Strictly for tourers whether in tents, campervans or motorhomes, you won’t find any mobile homes here.

There’s a games room and frisbee golf on site, but the real appeal is all the activities in the area, including horse-riding, fishing, golf and bike hire. It’s also a great spot to stay if you’re planning on attempting the terrific Ballyhoura mountain bike trails.

Or just chill out with a walk and a picnic at the Glen of Aherlow Nature Park, which has a series of walking trails suitable for families. The Rock of Cashel, always worth a visit, is 25km away.

Cost:prices start at €10 per person in high season. See

camping.ie.

Wexford

Morriscastle Strand Holiday Park, Kilmuckridge: for a bucket-and-spade bonanza, you’ll find it hard to top this one, right on the 20km Blue Flag beach at Morriscastle. A family-only site, one thing you don’t have to worry about here is fetching up beside techno thumping car loads of boy racers.

The beach itself is gorgeous, with sand dunes for rambling and plenty of space to play, while the campsite has the kind of mod cons that mean grown-ups can get a break too, including shop and takeaway on site.

There is a playground, a large games room, pool and table football and table tennis, two tennis courts and a new AstroTurf five-a-side football pitch. During summer the resident Kids Kamp staff oversee everything from football tournaments to sandcastle competitions. If the weather’s acting up, the indoor fun at Pirates Cove in Courtown is just 20 minutes away.

Cost: car plus family tent €26 per night. See

morriscastlestrand.com.

Cork

Blarney Caravan Camping Park, Blarney: hard to believe you’re only 8km from Cork city here, such is the sense of being in the heart of the country. But the handy location isn’t the only good thing about this well-run campsite with views of Blarney Castle.

The site is nice and secluded, there’s a tiny but attractive playground and a great 18-hole pitch and putt course too.

And of course there’s that handy location, within half an hour’s drive of great beaches at Ballycotton, Garryvoe and Youghal. You’re also well placed for visiting the wildlife park at Fota, Kinsale is an easy drive and gorgeous Lismore Castle is just over the Blackwater in Waterford.

You’re also perfectly placed for all the attractions of the country’s second city.

Cost:€10 for a family tent, €6.50 per adult, €3 per child. See blarneycaravanpark.com.

Kerry

Killarney Flesk Caravan Camping Park, Killarney: the town of Killarney is just too gorgeous to leave to the tourists and, if you haven’t been in a while, make this summer your chance to rectify matters. It’s pristine, they know about customer service and, more than ever, they’re crying out for the Irish holidaymaker.

At 1,500m away, this particular campsite is the closest you can get to the town centre. Always buzzing in summer time, the town is the natural gateway to the nearby national park and its beautiful lakes.

It also marks the start of the Kerry Way walking route and cycle path and, once you’ve toured on foot and on bike, do it all over again on horseback and by boat too, it’s a different experience every time.

On-site facilities here include a restaurant and takeaway, there’s a barbecue area and entertainment in high season. In the adjacent hotel (charges apply) there’s an indoor pool and activity centre, which means you’re covered whatever the weather.

Check out what’s on in the next door INEC before you go too, if you fancy a big night out – they can organise a taxi for you too – or even hire you a bike.

Cost:€9 for your tent, €8.50 per adult and €3 for kids.

See killarneyfleskcamping.com.

Clare

Lakeside Holiday Park, Mountshannon: surrounded by woodland, mountains, islands and not forgetting spectacular Lough Derg, the big appeal at Lakeside is the water sports.

The park has its own fleet of motorboats and mooring facilities, providing the angler with hours of fishy fun. Campers can hire row boats and kayaks too.

Or take shore leave and make the most of the tennis, table tennis and football facilities.

Nearby attractions include a range of scenic walks, golf, trad sessions in nearby pubs and pitch and putt.

From here it’s less than an hour’s drive to major tourist attractions, such as King John’s Castle, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and the Burren, not forgetting the short hop to Holy Island.

Cost:€24 per family tent. See lakesideireland.com.

Mayo

Westport House Caravan Camping Park, Westport: located in the magnificent setting of Westport House, overlooking Clew Bay, this family run park offers a lake, terraces and gardens, beautiful woods and a historical house, all in one scenic package.

But that’s not all, there’s a great adventure park too. Visitors to the site have access to a number of on site activities either free of charge or at a preferential rate, so if you’re looking for ways to entertain the kids this summer, this could make a very economical option.

As well as everything you can think of from clay pigeon shooting to water zorbing, the site is home to Pirate Adventure Park, which has a range of rides including Pirate’s Plunge, a log flume, a pirate ship thrills ‘n’ chills ride, and a miniature railway called the Treasure Island Express. There are slides and swan pedalos and a bouncy castle too, as well as bike hire.

Cost:a three-night camping package with unrestricted access to Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park costs €265, a saving of 40 per cent on the listed price. Per night price for a family tent, including two adults and two children, is €38 in high season. See westporthouse.ie.

Leitrim

Battlebridge Caravan and Camping Park, Leitrim village: although open all year round, this place is hopping in summer, with people coming from all directions to enjoy riverbank camping on the Shannon.

Part of the appeal here is Beirne’s pub, adjacent to the site, which offers hot food and trad sessions.

There’s a children’s playground, a slipway for boating, and fishing on the river which runs right through the park – so no licence required.

Ditch the two-man and take things up a notch with its “glamping” options, a portmanteau of glamorous camping, with large round canvas tents complete with furniture.

Just up the road is Lough Key Forest Park with its canopy treetop trail and the fantastic Boda Borg indoor adventure centre if it’s raining.

Cost:glamping rates cost €160 for two nights up to €300 for a week, sleeping four. See battlebridgecaravanandcamping.ie.