Aire de Stationnement and Aire de Service

One of the principal objectives of Motorcaravanning Ireland at the present time is the provision of overnight Motorhome Parking, modeled on the French 'Aires de Stationnement' concept, and accepted as a legitimate piece of infrastructure required to support the motorhome tourist.

On 27 th February 2013 in Leinster House, representatives of The Irish Motor Caravanners' Club and The Phoenix Motorhome Club Ireland and others met with Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar who was accompanied by Minister of State Paul Kehoe, The Assistant Secretary Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and The Ministerial Policy Analyst.

Following the meeting Minister Varadkar, through his Assistant Secretary wrote to Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Industry Services, requesting that they engage with those present 'that we might give them some general advice as to how matters might be taken forward to develop this growing sector of tourism business'[sic].

Regretably, to date no progress can be reported with Fáilte Ireland on the matter. However, Motorcaravanning Ireland are wholly committed to helping Fáilte Ireland understand the benifits which will flow from such facilities and continue to persue the matter vigorously.

Local Agencies

• Supporters of Motorcaravanning Ireland are currently in negotiation with a number of local authority and community based bodies.
• It is the objective of Motorcaravanning Ireland to assist those considering offering motorhome parking facilities to create an attractive and well thoughtout environment which will attract motorhome based tourists to their area and the financial benifits which flow from such visits.

National Tourism Agencies

• Waterways Ireland
• Discover Ireland
• Fáilte Ireland
• The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Following successful negotiations with its Town Council, Midleton is now one of the first towns in The South to officially host overnight parking for motorhome tourists.

Following the French model an area within one of the town car-parks has been signposted to indicate motorhomes may park for up to 48 hours. 

Drinking water filling and a grey water discharge facilities have been provided at minimum cost. Discharge of toilette cassettes (black water) is facilitated by use of the car-parks 'superloo'. All three services are clearly signed with pictogram signes familiar to European motorhome tourists, as are access directions from the main road which by-passes the town.

Midleton Town Council are to be commended for this initiative which already is proving to be popular with European, UK and domestic tourists.

See http://maps.corkcoco.ie/planningenquirylitev3/Default.aspx?FullFileNumber=18a-134137&FromList=true for the planning application currently with Cork County Council for a Motorhome Parking Area to serve the town of Youghal

Planning Permission has now been granted and we await construction of this site.

Shortly after the opening of motorhome parking at Midleton Cobh have provided ten marked out places at 'The Five Foot Way'

The area is overlooked by the local Police Station and c.c.t.v. cameras.

The parking area affords excellent views of river traffic and is adjacent to the international cruise terminal.

While there are no services currently at the area, Cobh Town Council plan to install them for the 2014 season