Known Stateside as "RVs" (for "Recreational Vehicles"), they have appeared across popular media for decades, from a seminal early episode of "The Simpsons" to the Oscar nominated Jack Nicholson vehicle "About Schmidt". So, given their popularity, it is hardly surprising that the camper van is starting to have a significant impact on Irish holidays . . . indeed, at last count, there were between 10,000 and 15,000 camper vans registered in Ireland.

In fact, a measure of the growth of the camper van or motorhome industry can be seen through the experience of Bridge Motorhomes.

"We have been in the motorhomes business for four years, and we are now going into our fifth season, " said Lance O'Brien of Bridge Motorhomes (www. bridgemotorhomes. com). "We have had many satisfied customers, and, from our few years of trading, we now have customers coming back to update their motorhomes. This is a positive sign that we are giving the customer the service that they want."

According to O'Brien, the profile of motorhome drivers has changed in recent years, and travelling in a camper van has become a much more family-friendly holiday.

"We find that the customer age has changed over the few years, " he said. "Traditionally, it used to be 70% to 80% retired couples who would be purchasing a motorhome. But about 60% of our business is now with families looking for a better holiday, and having the choice to use the motorhome for short weekends away even when the children are still in school, because the kids can do their homework in the motorhome."

Of course, camper vans is a specialist area within motoring, which is why O'Brien feels that, based on his experience, there is a strong need for a dedicated motorhome garage for repair and service - at an affordable price.

"We have invested close to 1 million in a new dedicated garage for motorhomes, as well as an accessories shop which will be ready to open for the summer season, " he said. "We also have invested in a garage in Germany for the purpose of buying motorhomes. This allows motorhomes to be repaired by our own staff in Germany."

Bridge Motorhomes is also responding to the growing demand for hiring camper vans. This is a market which is operated by J and L Campers, which has been selling new and used camper vans from its Galway base for a number of years.

"In the past five years, the camper van sector has grown by a couple of hundred percent in Ireland, " said Liam Salmon, who, alongside John Roche, owns J and L Campers. "And the rental market is very strong. Rental prices vary from vehicle to vehicle and from season to season, but camper van rental is particularly popular for events such as the Electric Picnic, and we are expecting a significant amount of business around the Rugby World Cup."

In fact, even outside of major events, a camper van could be the solution to many holiday needs. For a family looking to invest, a secondhand camper van will cost usually between 30,000 and 50,000, while a new motorhome will cost usually between 60,000 and 70,000.

They typically sleep six, they come with a kitchen, a bathroom, and all manner of mod cons, including satellite television (for further information, visit www. galwaycampers. com).

From a practical perspective, they are cheap to insure, cheap to tax, and can be driven on a car licence. So really, there are no impediments to driving a camper van, except perhaps the price . . . and, for families and individuals who don't want the expense of ownership, rental is certainly a reality.

But for those who really want to own a camper van, they could do worse than to visit www. georgedixonmotorhomes. com and check out the Superbrig 749. This beauty of a vehicle seats 7, sleeps 7, and comes with a beautiful finish. The 749 is the largest of the Superbrig series, and is built on a Mercedes platform, giving the optimum in driveability and safety.