A couple who invested £30,000 to convert their van into a mobile home has revealed the real experience of living life on the road.
When Niamh Hasner and her partner, Ciarán O Mahony, decided to leave behind traditional living and embark on a global adventure, they were aware of the challenges ahead.
However, the duo, now aged 28 and 29, quickly became “inseparable,” describing their new lifestyle as “living in a small apartment with your best friend.”
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Encouraging other couples to follow their example, they believe the experience has strengthened their relationship.
“We had previously tried the lifestyle with an old work van that was barely insulated, using it for weekend trips,” Niamh, from Ireland, shared with Luxury Travel Daily. “But we wanted to invest in something we could use full-time, even during the workweek.”
Ciarán, who runs an energy retrofits business, and Niamh, who works with him, decided to transform their van into an ideal home.
The journey wasn’t without its challenges.
Niamh explained: “In Ireland, converting a van is tough. The materials we needed were mostly available only in the UK, and shipping to Ireland was often not an option, so we had to adapt some of our designs.
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Despite this, we had done extensive research and knew exactly what layout and electrical system we wanted.
We aimed to finish the van within seven weeks while working full-time, which meant dedicating every evening and weekend to the project.”
Realizing their initial van was too small, they purchased a 2019 Mercedes Sprinter MWB for £20,000 and spent about £9,000 on renovations.
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“We handled the entire renovation ourselves,” Niamh said. “We installed solar panels, a robust electrical system, a slide-out table to open up the space, and a large fridge for when we’re far from town.
The van is well-insulated, so we rarely need to use the heater, and when we do, it retains warmth until morning.”
Living in such close quarters has brought the couple closer together.
“We spend much more quality time together now, often planning trips to remote countryside locations,”
Niamh said. “We play card games for hours and chat, making it feel like traveling in a tiny apartment with your best friend.
I’ve also learned a lot from Ciarán, like wiring and laying lino, skills that will be useful for future projects.”
Their favorite destinations so far include the West Cork coast, Kerry, and the Isle of Skye. Next on their list is a trip to Norway.
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