The Keoghegan family from Enfield, Co Meath, have fallen in love with France. They've travelled by car to Port Bourgenay in the Vendée region for their annual holiday for the past five years.

"We've been going there since the children were old enough to sit in the car," says Ms Janet Keoghegan.

It is a relatively cheap holiday because the family avoids the peak months of July and August.

"We go in June when it's not too hot and not too mad over there. The ferry and the apartments are much cheaper outside high season."

The Keoghegans have always stayed in self-catering apartments in the same resort on the west coast booked through Irish Ferries. This summer they are going to try something different and they have booked their own accommodation in a mobile home in La Tranche Sur Mer, near La Rochelle.

"We visited friends on the site last year and the accommodation was superb so we decided to book it ourselves."

Mr Declan Keoghegan likes to windsurf and the area is famous for its beaches and watersports.

The family prefers to travel direct to France from Rosslare and they book early to get the best accommodation on the overnight ferry.

"The first year I was a nervous wreck and I wouldn't let the children out of my sight but now they know the layout of the ship and we can leave them at the cinema while we go for a meal."

After the 14-hour journey, the Keoghegans have a four-and-a-half hour drive to their holiday destination.

"There are enough activities in the place we stay to keep us all happy but we also like to take advantage of the car and tour around the region. Last year we brought Caoimhe and Orla to Eurodisney."