Tiraroe Quay Park-Up: Lovely Views, Terrible Logistics

We rolled up to Tiraroe Quay in the kind of sideways rain that makes you question why you ever thought van life was romantic. It was pitch black, wipers barely keeping up, and the road just sort of ended at the water. Park4Night had said it was a “two spot only” job. Turns out they weren’t kidding.

There was already a motorhome there, tucked neatly right in the centre lengthways, lights off, minding its own business. I could’ve tried to turn back by going up the narrow dead-end lane, in the dark, in a downpour, but I’d also like to live long enough to have breakfast. So I did the sensible thing and T-boned him. Parked right across the front, nose to the lough, pretending that was the plan all along.

Neighbours Closer Than Family

It wasn’t too slanted, though our very-close neighbour had his ramps out. When I say close, I mean close. His bumper was about an inch from our side wall. The CCTV captured his side door opening, and him checking out our proximity; he must have thought us pure crazy. The rain kept coming, the dogs needed out, and I couldn’t see a thing. Lucky loves water, Milo’s not a fan, but both came back with wet feet. Whether that was rain, puddles or Lough Erne itself, who knows. I wasn’t checking.

The Morning After

Woke around ten to the sound of someone moving about next door. Figured I’d better go say hello and make sure he didn’t hate me. Nice bloke, actually. Said he was going for a swim before heading off, in November, mind you, so I had half an hour to pack up and figure out how to get out of this ridiculous spot without reversing into the lake or electrocuting myself on the cattle fence.

I edged the van out, swung round by what might’ve been the edge of someone’s driveway, and missed the electric fence by about an inch. Probably the tightest turn I’ve ever done, and I’ve driven buses for a living!

The Verdict

Look, it’s a lovely spot in daylight. Calm water, quiet, nice views. But calling it a two-van park-up on a dead-end road is a fantasy? Not worth it. Even out of season. Maybe in summer, if you get there first and the sun’s still up, fine. But after dark? Forget it.

If you want to sleep easy, find somewhere with at least three spaces and an actual turning circle. Tiraroe Quay looks great on a map, but if you get there after sunset, it’s stress you don’t need.