Motorhome and campervan users travelling around Ireland this summer have expressed concern about the lack of public short-stay facilities.
"I ended up parking beside a graveyard one night - and had to use the water tap in the cemetery to wash myself," explained American tourist Penelope Barry.
Currently based in Germany, she travelled to Ireland by ferry from France in her colourful yellow campervan.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she recalled one awkward night when she slept beside a cemetery in Co Kerry.
"I was having a quick wash the next morning when someone coming to visit one of the graves surprised me as I was using the tap.
"I apologised and he was very nice about it - wonderful and kind, told me it was fine - but I still feel guilty about that," she said.
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Ms Barry told RTÉ: "There really should be better facilities for motorhomes and campervans - we’d be happy to pay.
"The public sites in France are wonderful - either free or for a very small fee. They usually have showers and toilets and fresh water."
At present, campervan visitors from home and abroad currently have two main accommodation choices on holiday in Ireland.
They can pay to stay at a motorhome campsite, with access to facilities such as showers and washing machines, for a fee of typically between €35 to €50 per night.
Or they can try to find a public or privately owned site - also known as an aire - where they are allowed to park their van, empty their rubbish bins and get clean water.
Pamela O'Reilly from Co Waterford is a motorhome vlogger who has travelled widely across Ireland and Europe.
She explained: "Aires are a safe place for motorhomes to park up. They will have a place to empty water and separate places to empty black water (toilet) and grey water (sink).
"They also have fresh water. The typical charge is €15 if they have electricity and €10 without.
"Ireland should have more parking places for motorhomes - if more local authorities established aires, it would bring money into towns."
Cork County Council praised for 'aire' site
Peter Kavanagh operates the Motorhome Enthusiasts Ireland Facebook page and noted: "There seems to be a negative attitude from certain councils. The barriers are down and there is no parking for campervans."
However, he praised Cork County Council for getting it right when it comes to its aire in Cobh.
"It has 30 pitches in a beautiful location. The ideal scenario would be to have these in every county in the country," he said.
In a statement, Cork County Council said the facility in Cobh has proven to be very successful and is "full most nights" during the summer season.
It said: "This has had a positive spin-off for the local economy, with local shops, bars and restaurants benefiting from the extra visitors to the town.
"The model adopted by the council has been looked at by numerous other local authorities who are considering providing similar facilities.
"The County Council is also looking at rolling out the Cobh model to other locations across Co Cork."
However, some campervan users prefer the security and comfort of an established campsite with access to comforts such as hot showers and laundry facilities.
'No better way to explore a beautiful country like Ireland than a motorhome'
Canadian visitor Brad Casselman and his family were enjoying the sunshine when they spoke to RTÉ outside their rented motorhome at Roundwood Caravan and Camping Park in Co Wicklow.
"There is no better way to explore a beautiful country like Ireland than a motorhome. We've had no problems so far - apart from learning to avoid some very narrow country roads."
Leslie and Barbara Waller from Co Cavan were also staying the night at Roundwood Caravan and Camping Park in their motorhome.
"We love the freedom that a motorhome offers - you can come and go as you please. We prefer to park in established campsites for security reasons because we feel safer here than parking up at the side of a road or a beach."
In a statement, Fáilte Ireland said its remit in relation to caravans and camping is centred on registration and grading.
There are currently 129 Fáilte Ireland approved caravan and camping sites throughout the country.
Fáilte Ireland said it met the County and City Management Association in February 2023 in relation to the provision of motorhome facilities in Ireland.
"This meeting was to help inform local authorities (via the CCMA) on how to address some of the issues around capacity and planning," Fáilte Ireland said.
