Updated September 2023--Are you planning a trip to Ireland?
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For first-time visitors to the Emerald Isle who are looking for something a little different from the traditional B&Bs and hotel stays, glamping offers a whole new way to experience some of Ireland’s beautiful locations.
I’m not suggesting that you spend your entire vacation glamping (although you could if you decide to base yourself in one location).
But even if that’s not on your itinerary, choosing a glamping site for a night or two seems, well, kind of magical.
I’m sure you’ll agree once you read about these 11 glamping locations that are suitable for both couples and families.
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What is Glamping?
In case you have no idea what glamping actually is, the best way to describe it is this: glamping is a glamorous form of camping, with many of the perks you’d get in a regular form of accommodation like comfortable bedding, bathroom facilities, electricity, even Wifi.
Glamping is also a way to experience a destination more authentically by taking in the awesome beauty surrounding the location and getting to know the locals while you’re at it.
If you decide to glamp, you’ll have the choice of spending the night in a bell tent, a treehouse, a yurt, a shepherd’s hut, a glamping pod, or a Hobbit House.
Here are sites that may interest you if you decide to go glamping in Ireland.
1. Gorestown Glamping Chalets, Drummond, Co. Tyrone
Ditch the hotel room for a night and stay in a high-end glamping chalet.
For approximately $158 a night (€130, £114 Sterling, $211 CAD, $234 AUD), this fully furnished, solar-powered shepherd’s hut comes fitted with a kitchen, bathroom, and comfortable beds.
It even has its own cinema system.
The chalet, which sleeps 4, is located in the beautiful Co. Tyrone countryside overlooking Gorestown Lough, which is a popular spot for fishing.
The site's outdoor picnic area is a perfect place to chill out after a day’s worth of outdoor activities.
Airport: Belfast International Airport (24 miles/38 km)
Attractions Nearby: The Argory, 19th-century estate with beautiful gardens; Hill of the O’Neill & Ranfurly House, where the powerful O’Neill clan ruled for over 300 years.
Parking: Free
Booking.com Rating: Exceptional, 9.7
Pets are not allowed; no Internet access is available at the site.
2. Priory Glamping Pods & Guest Accommodation, Killarney, Co. Kerry
If you want to explore the Killarney area, why not stay in a glamping pod instead of a traditional guesthouse?
The pods at Priory Glamping are suitable for two people only and come equipped with a double bed, private bathroom/shower, as well as a kitchenette (toaster, kettle, Nespresso machine, and microwave are provided).
Breakfast and dinner are available at an additional cost.
Prices start at about $120 per night (€111, £95 Sterling, $160 CAD, $178 AUD ). A minimum 2-night stay is required.
Airports: Kerry Airport, also known as Farranfore Airport (10 miles/17 km); Shannon International Airport (83 miles/134 km); Cork International Airport (54 miles/88 km)
Attractions Nearby: Killarney National Park, Muckross Abbey, Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms, Escape Killarney, Celtic Steps, The Show.
Parking: Free (but reserve first)
Booking.com Rating: Exceptional 9.5
No pets allowed; WIFI is available on the site.
The link posted below is part of a sponsored deal between Ireland on a Budget and cozycozy.
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3. Earls View Maxi Pod, Carna, Co. Galway
Connemara is a popular destination for many visitors along the Wild Atlantic Way. Why not stop overnight at the Earls View Maxi Pod in Carna to take in this region’s unique landscape?
Enjoy views of the Twelve Pins mountain range (also known as the Twelve Bens) and Moyrus Bay when you wake up from this cozy accommodation located near Connemara National Park.
This is the ideal place to explore this Irish-speaking region either by foot or on a bike.
And did we say that there’s a beautiful sandy beach only 5 minutes from the pod?
The pod includes a large double bed, bathroom with power shower (free toiletries included), dining area, and kitchenette (equipped with microwave, kettle, toaster, and fridge).
The average cost for a 2-night minimum stay is $204 (€168; £147 Sterling, $272 CAD, $302 AUD).
Airport: Ireland West Airport Knock (59 miles/94 km), Shannon International Airport (106 miles/171 km)
Attractions Nearby: Clifden ( 26 miles/41 km away); Alcock & Brown Memorial; Inishbofin Island
Parking: Free (no reservation is needed)
Booking.com Rating: Exceptional 9.7
No pets allowed. WiFi is not available here. Wood and heaters available at an additional cost.
Read More: How to Find Great Accommodation in Ireland in 5 Easy Steps
4. Shannon Estuary Glamping, Erribul, Co. Clare
Have you explored the Shannon Estuary region? It’s an area in southwest Ireland that is just off the Wild Atlantic Way.
The region includes pretty villages, ancient heritage sites, as well as several small islands, including the important heritage site that is situated on Scattery Island.
This spot is ideal for walking, biking, hiking, or fishing.
There are several glamping huts and pods available at the Shannon Estuary Glamping site.
Prices are around €80 per night ($85, £68 Sterling, $114 CAD, $127 AUD).
A minimum 2-night stay is required.
Amenities include an outdoor fireplace and picnic area. Guests must share the kitchen and lounge/TV areas.
Airport: Shannon International Airport (28 miles/46 km)
Attractions Nearby: Shannon Estuary Islands, including Scattery Island; Quin Abbey, Clare Abbey, Ennis Friary, Vandeleur Walled Garden
Parking: Free (no reservation is needed)
Booking.com Rating: Exceptional 9.6
No pets allowed. Wifi is available.
5. Sleepy Hollows Campsite, Crolly, Co. Donegal
Fancy spending some downtime in an Irish-speaking region of County Donegal, where the beach, mountains, and forest all come together?
If so, the adults-only Sleepy Hollows Campsite is the ideal place to experience it all.
The site, owned by Ian Callaghan and Nicola McKinlay and a 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Award winner, includes the Sleepy Cabin, the Sleepy Bell and the Sleepy Hut.
The Sleepy Cabin Accommodation
The Sleepy Cabin is a one-bedroom space nestled in a peaceful woodland setting that is suitable for two people. It contains a kitchen and bathroom. It comes with bedding, linen, and towels.
The price per night is €80 ($85, £68, $114 CAD, $127 AUD), in addition to a one-off €20 cleaning charge.
The cabin can be booked on Airbnb.
The Sleepy Bell Accommodation
The Sleepy Bell will provide you with a cozy night under a large, luxury bell-tent that accommodates 2 people.
The bell tent is fully furnished with a comfy king size bed that can also be arranged as 2 singles. It comes with bedding, linen, and towels.
The cost per night is €65 ($69, £55 Sterling, $93 CAD, $103 AUD). Book on Airbnb.
The Sleepy Hut
The Sleepy Hut is small, one-of-a-kind 2.5-meter (8.2 feet) well insulated structure that holds two people comfortably. It contains a comfortable sofabed/mattress.
The cost of the Sleepy Hut per night is €35 ($37, £29 Sterling, $50 CAD, $55 AUD). An optional linen package is €15, which covers your entire stay. Book on Airbnb.
Airports: Donegal Airport (5 miles/8.5 km); Belfast International Airport (108 miles/175 km); Dublin International Airport (172 miles/277 km)
Attractions Nearby: Carrickfinn Blue Flag Beach, Mount Errigal, Glenveagh Castle & National Park, Slieve League, Ards Forest Park, Leo’s Tavern (belonging to the family of Enya and sister Moya Brennan of Clannad) and Teach Tessie.
Parking: Free (no reservation is needed)
Pets are welcome except for the Sleepy Bell accommodation. WIFI is available in communal areas of the campsite.
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6. Glamping at Treegrove, Kilkenny
Is the historic city of Kilkenny on your list of places to visit?
Kilkenny has so much to offer the visitor, from exploring the city’s Medieval Mile to taking a tour of Kilkenny Castle. It’s one place in Ireland you won’t want to miss.
Glamping at Treegrove is a short drive from Kilkenny City and is more unusual than some of the places you might find in town.
There are six pods on the property that are suitable for couples. Guests share a bathroom and shower.
Other amenities include a fridge, electric heater, and kitchen utensils.
Each pod has an outdoor deck and seating. You can avail of hiking and horseback riding nearby or simply enjoy the immediate surrounding area, including the site’s garden.
Rates at Glamping at Treegrove are between €90 and €120 per night ($96/$129; £76/£102 Sterling; $129/$172 CAD; $143/$191 AUD).
Airport: Dublin International Airport (83 miles/134 km)
Nearby Attractions: Rothe House & Garden, Kilkenny Castle, Medieval Mile Museum, and the Smithwick’s Brewery Tour
Parking: Free (no reservation is needed)
Booking.com Rating: Exceptional 9.3
Pets are welcome. Free WIFI is available.
7. Belmullet Coast Guard Station Glamping Luxury Pods, Belmullet, Co. Mayo
Don’t let the “luxury” in this glamping spot throw you off. It’s actually quite an affordable place to stay in. And oh, so cool.
The pods are located in a stunning location on an island off the Mayo coast called Claggan Island.
The island is situated in Blacksod Bay, which is approximately 12 km (7 miles) from Belmullet on the mainland.
The pods sleep up to 4 adults and are equipped with comfortable beds, couches, and toilets. Kitchen and shower facilities can be found in a nearby converted barn.
The kitchen is fully equipped with a microwave, gas hob, toaster, fridge, electric kettle, and a solid fuel stove. A washing machine and dryer are also on-site (there is a small additional cost to use them).
This area is an ideal place for walking, hiking, biking, fishing, surfing, and swimming.
There’s even a golf course nearby.
Expect to pay €120 ($129, £103 Sterling, $172 CAD, $191 AUD) per night year-round. A minimum 2-night stay is required.
Airport: Ireland West Airport Knock (63 miles/102 km), Shannon International Airport (143 miles/231 km)
Nearby Attractions: Blacksod Lighthouse, The Ceide Fields, Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park
Parking: Free (no reservation is needed)
Pets are welcome but call ahead to be sure. Free WIFI is available. Accommodation is also available in the old Coast Guard Station building.
8. Inch Hideaway, Whitegate, Co. Cork
If sustainability is important to you, then the Inch Hideaway glamping site in East Cork should interest you.
This site contains five hand-built yurts and a Wanderly Wagon.
You’ll find either a wood-fired stove or electric heater in the yurts, which all contain a dining/seating area, as well as a fully equipped kitchen that includes a fridge, oven, stovetop, and toaster.
The communal area includes the Cob House Kitchen, banquet dining area located in the nearby barn, a wood-fired pizza oven, and a campfire pit.
Pamper yourself in the therapy room with treatments that include holistic massages, craniosacral therapy, and yoga classes.
Since Inch Strand is a mere 15 minutes away, you’ll have ample opportunity to enjoy a stroll on the beach or explore the nearby cliffs.
For the more adventurous, enroll in the local surf school, try kayaking or stand-up paddling.
Rates at Inch Hideaway Glamping for two nights start at $210 (€173, £150 Sterling, $280 CAD, $311 AUD).
Airport: Cork International Airport (13 miles/20 km); Shannon International Airport (103 miles/167 km)
Nearby Attractions: Cork City (23 miles/37 km away), Inch Strand
Parking: Free (no reservation needed)
Booking.com Rating: Very Good 8.3
Pets are welcome upon request. No Internet access is available. There is an airport shuttle service available to the site from Cork Airport.
9. Rock Farm, Slane, Co. Meath
If glamping in the shadow of a famous Irish castle is your idea of fun, Rock Farm offers that and more.
Located in the beautiful and pastoral County Meath countryside, there are five yurts and two shepherd’s huts on this organic farm where ecotourism is at the heart of this glamping accommodation.
Suitable for both couples and families, the yurts include comfy beds and atmospheric details like candles and lanterns. A hot tub on the property is an added plus (there is a €30 fee for its use).
A shared kitchen known as Le Shack is available for you to prepare food and eat in. It contains a large fridge and gas hob.
If you’d prefer not to cook, food packs are available for an additional charge.
There’s plenty to do at Rock Farm, which is part of a Natural Heritage Area and Special Area of Conservation. Outdoor activities include electric bike hire, kayaking, and rafting, as well as farm tours.
Rates at this glamping accommodation are around $250 for two nights (€231, £198 Sterling, $334 CAD, $371 AUD).
Airport: Dublin International Airport (23 miles/37 km)
Nearby Attractions: Slane Castle, Newgrange
Parking: Free (no reservation needed)
Booking.com Rating: Superb 9.3
Pets are welcome upon request. WIFI is available in public areas of the site.
10. Old Forge Glamping, Co. Wicklow
This beautiful glamping site in the heart of the Wicklow hills is the perfect way to soak up the beauty of Ireland’s Ancient East.
About an hour and a half from Dublin, the Old Forge Glamping can accommodate up to 23 guests at a time.
The property features a Log Cabin (sleeps up to 5), a Shepard’s Hut (sleeps 2) as well as a 3 Yurts (each Yurt sleeps up to 4) and a Safari Tent (sleeps up to 4).
The site is nestled beside a small woodland area with views of Lughnaquilla Mountain in the distance.
A personal campfire and barbeque area are located outside each yurt. There is also an outdoor bar available for guests.
Make your own meals in the nearby kitchen of the three-bedroom Georgian farmhouse. Amenities include a Belling Farmhouse Range Cooker, a fridge, hob, toaster, TV, kettle, and wood stove.
Rates are from €140 per night for the Shepherd's Hut ($150, £120 Sterling, $201 CAD, $223 AUD) and from €180 per night for the Walled Garden Safari Tent, the Walled Garden Yurt, the Log Cabin, the Lawn Yurt, and the Wood Yurt ($193, £154 Sterling, $258 CAD, $287 AUD).
Airport: Dublin International Airport (72 miles/116 km)
Nearby Attractions: Glendalough Monastic Site, The Chocolate Garden, Altamont Gardens, and Huntington Castle in nearby County Carlow.
Parking: Free (no reservation needed)
Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash. Wifi is available.
11. Pink Apples Orchard Glamping, Co. Leitrim
Fancy staying in a grass-roofed Hobbit House in the heart of County Leitrim?
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Perhaps you’re a fan of the J.R.R. Tolkien novels that center around the imaginary world of hobbits and the places they live in.
Either way, staying in this quirky accommodation, all set in the beautiful surroundings of North Leitrim, won’t disappoint.
The Pink Apples Orchard glamping site also includes 4 yurts that sleep between 3 and 4 adults, and The Bow-Topped Gypsy Wagon, which sleeps 4.
The Hobbit House sleeps up to 6 people.
The focus at this wonderful glamping site is on bringing guests back to nature.
Much of the furniture you’ll find here is handcrafted and blends in with the look of the existing yurts, the Hobbit House, and the caravan.
A communal kitchen, built in the same style as the other accommodation on-site, has all the equipment you’d expect. Communal showers and toilets are also on site.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy nature at this delightful glamping site. Many visitors like to take walks along the lake, ride bikes, or engage in hiking.
The average rate at Pink Apples Orchard Glamping is between $124 and $168 per night (€115/€156; £98/£133 Sterling; $165/$224 CAD; $184/$249 AUD) per night. All reservations must be made on Airbnb.
Airports: Ireland West Knock Airport (42 miles/69 km); Dublin International Airport (114 miles/185 km)
Nearby Attractions: Parkes Castle, Glencar Waterfall, Acres Lake Floating Boardwalk, The Devil’s Chimney, Sligo
Parking: Free (no reservation needed)
Pets are welcome upon request. No Internet is available on site.
Please note that all currency exchange prices quoted above are averages only and will vary depending on the exchange rate on the dates you are traveling.
Other glamping sites to consider on the island of Ireland include the following:
– Podumna Village, Portumna, County Galway
– Ceide Glamping, Ballycastle, County Mayo
– Glamping Under the Stars, Portlaoise, County Laois
– Let's Go Hydro Glamping Resort, Belfast, County Antrim
– Burrenmore Nest Treetop Lodges, County Derry
– Teapot Lane Glamping, County Sligo (adults only)
– Lough Mardal Lodge Glamping, County Donegal
– Cabu by the Lakes, County Cavan
– Aran Islands Camping & Glamping, County Galway
– Drumquinna Manor Glamping, County Kerry
– Comeragh Pods, County Waterford
– Pure Camping, County Clare
– Further Space Glamping in locations across the island of Ireland
– Legan Castle, County Kilkenny
– The Bee Pods, County Donegal
– Ballyvolane House, County Cork
– Glendalough Glamping, County Wicklow (adults only)
– Chléire Haven Glamping and Camping, County Cork
– Wild Atlantic Glamping, County Cork
– Beds of Silk, County Clare
– Fairy Glamping, County Down
– Kintala Resort & Spa, County Derry
Have you tried glamping in Ireland? If not, is this the kind of accommodation that you might choose when visiting the Emerald Isle? Let me know in the comments below.
