Demand for campervans in Mayo has ‘doubled’ since Covid

THEY come in all sizes and have all sorts of accessories.

From cyclists to surfers, families to retired holidaymakers to #vanlife insta huns, more and more people are getting behind the wheels of campervans.

If you think you’ve imagined seeing more of them on the highways and byways of Mayo, CSO statistics earlier this summer revealed that there are now over 20,000 registered campervans in this state. This is up from around 12,000 before Covid.

Industry veteran Kevin Ryan has been running Ireland West Motorhomes for over sixteen years. He has seen demand for his campervans double since Covid and he has added vehicles to his fleet each year.

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The prices for a new one have “gone through the roof” and have matched the increasing popularity. So much so that “you wouldn't get much of a new camper van now for under €100,000.”

The Wild Atlantic Way is a big draw and Mayo is well placed to benefit from this campervan boom.

Westport is grappling with the challenges of campervan tourism as visitors increasingly flock to the popular Mayo town, with locals calling for dedicated facilities to manage the influx while preserving access to cherished community spaces.

Mr Ryan advises booking in advance for campsites during the summer as spaces can fill up fast in the privately-run campervan parks, such as Westport House Caravan and Camping Park.

Spotting the growing numbers of campervans calling in for food, one business in Mulranny took action.

John Nevin from Nevin’s Newfield Inn, decided to develop the carpark to include six berths, where campervans can plug in and connect to water.

The area is lit at night and has CCTV in place so provides a safe space for campervans to park up overnight.

“We're giving people that service to be able to pack up, get some nice food, have some music, go off again in their van, and that safe space. It's really important for people to have that feeling of safety and security,” Hannah Nevin from Nevin's Newfield Inn tells The Mayo News.

They are planning to expand the facilities to include toilets and showers.

“We're going to continue expanding it and making it more comfortable”, she says.

Having travelled around Europe in a campervan herself, she appreciates good facilities.

Parking pressures

THE issue of parking has become particularly acute at Westport Quay, where large campervans are taking up multiple parking spaces and affecting local amenities. Marian Dyar, a regular swimmer at the Quay, described a recent incident where “two big camper vans took up all the right hand side ... about eight or nine spaces. And it was a really busy day, because lots of people were coming down swimming, and they had to park all down the road, which is very dangerous."

The parking pressures are compounded by overnight stays, with some visitors leaving waste behind. “When some of them stay overnight, they leave rubbish behind them,” Dyar noted, expressing frustration at the impact on the popular swimming spot near the town.

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Aidan Brogan who operates a mobile sauna at the Quay and is former campervan owner himself, witnessed problematic behavior from some visitors. He recalled encountering “a big old German man” with a massive campervan who “was quite rude, and he stayed overnight” while “smoking his cigars at the front of his camper van, just flicking the cigar butt out on the ground.!

However, Aidan emphasised that he understands the appeal of the campervan lifestyle, having lived the experience himself: “There should be designated areas for people to pull in and that they're not vulnerable when they pull in,” he suggested, pointing to successful models in other countries. “You go anywhere in France, anywhere in Spain, they're all seaside resorts. Have all these power points, and there's no issue.”

Leave No Trace CEO Maura Kiely is another Westport resident who enjoys trips away in a campervan.

She told The Mayo News that “Owning a camper van has been more than just a lifestyle choice for my family and I, it has become a way of living more simply and more intentionally. We regularly go on mini adventures all around Ireland, surfing, swimming, hiking in some of Irelands most scenic places.

“The van has taught us the value of space and simplicity. Every square foot matters, every item stored needs a purpose, and every drop of water or watt of energy is precious. It’s a daily reminder of how little we actually need to feel comfortable, safe, and at home. Living within those limits doesn’t feel restrictive, it feels freeing. It has also made me more mindful of the places we visit. I’m always aware of the impact we could leave behind to the environment or local community. Seeing the difference between spaces that are cared for reminds me how important the ethos of Leave No Trace is."

Wonderful community

“MOST of all, camper van life has given us a wonderful community. From swapping stories with other campers, to quietly sharing a sunrise, we’ve been reminded again and again that connection is a huge part of the journey. For our family, the van is more than transportation, it’s a mobile outdoor classroom for our two young children and a reminder to slow down and enjoy the journey.”

The economic benefit is obvious for Kevin Ryan. He says campervan holidaymakers are “spending money left, right and center.”

“It's really going to cost the council very, very little to put in spaces. On the continent, every village has a parking area for campervans.”

Eithne Larkin from Westport Tidy Towns advocates for a balanced approach that welcomes campervans while establishing proper infrastructure.

“The local authority needs to fast track facilities for campervans, and make camper vans feel welcome, but give them facilities that they need to pay for and that are environmentally friendly," she said.

Larkin acknowledged that responsible campervan owners shouldn't be unfairly stigmatised. “They're all painted with the same brush. I'm sure there are very, very responsible camper van owners who come to visit Westport, and then that needs to be acknowledged. We need to send out a message: Camper vans are welcome. And these are the facilities we offer.”

Currently, overnight parking of campervans is prohibited at beaches and other public amenities as part of the council's “Keep Mayo Wild & Beautiful” initiative.

Council response

IN correspondence with The Mayo News, Mayo County Council stated that “a number of visitor management plans for various popular tourist locations in Mayo are in the process of being developed with relevant local stakeholders and community representatives and elected members. Facilities for campervans will be considered as part of these plans.”

When asked which facilities are available for campervans to park and/or dispose of waste in the county, Mayo County Council replied that “Belmullet Docks is a public location for Waste Disposal Points for Camper Vans. This area is a set down area for short periods of time and does not facilitate overnight camping.”

Leave No Trace's CEO Kiely acknowledged the broader challenges facing the region. “Enforcement of regulations related to campervan parking presents challenges not alone in Mayo but throughout the country,” she said, adding that “with the active marketing of routes like the Wild Atlantic Way, and other tourism initiatives, it is now opportune, and indeed necessary, to develop supportive infrastructure and sustainability guidelines for campervan tourism.”

The tourism season typically peaks in July and August before quieting down. As Aidan Brogan observed, “by September, it goes back to just ourselves down there and few passing visitors.”

The debate reflects a broader challenge facing Ireland's tourist destinations as they balance economic benefits with community needs and environmental protection. Local voices suggest that proper facilities with waste disposal, water access, and designated parking areas could address many current issues while still welcoming visitors to experience Westport's natural beauty.