Updated November 2023–Is staying on a farm in Ireland something you’d like to do when you visit the Emerald Isle?
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Ireland’s agricultural background makes it the perfect place to experience farm life, from bottle-feeding lambs to cutting the turf as well as tasting the hearty home-cooked food that’s an integral part of the farmhouse accommodation experience, and of course, the Irish hospitality that you’ll receive in all of them.
Here are 6 great places to consider.
The exchange rates cited in this post are based on the currency exchange valuations as of Nov. 5, 2023.
1. Ireland West Farm Stay, County Mayo
Immerse yourself in traditional rural Ireland with a stay in a renovated 19th-century stone cottage located on a working cattle farm.
Owner Eddie Joe Dooney will give you the chance to cut turf while explaining the difference between a living bog and a working bog and its connection to rural Ireland, as well as building a dry-stone wall, a tradition that dates to the Neolithic Period 5,000 years ago.
Rooney also gives tours of the local village, Carracastle, a mere 15-minute drive from Ireland West Airport.
Other experiences offered at the farm include blacksmithing, sheepdog herding, and cheese tasting at a local cheese factory.
Rates at this farm are approximately $129/€120/£104 Sterling/$176 CAD/$198 AUD per night. Reservations should be made on Airbnb.
Read More: Finding the Best Authentic Experiences in Ireland
2. Rock Farm, County Meath
This organic farm is a popular glamping destination, but you’ll also get the traditional Irish farm experience here, too.
Located less than a mile from the River Boyne, this area is steeped in ancient history.
A long road leading into the farm will give you a bird’s eye view of nearby Slane village and the Hill of Slane, which is reputed to be the place where Saint Patrick lit the paschal fire, bringing Christianity to Ireland.
It is also said to be the burial place of the Fir Bolg, one of the early inhabitants of ancient Ireland.
Choose from a range of yurts to shepherd’s huts and carpeted bell tents, all set in the beautiful Boyne Valley. All come with appropriate furnishings, crisp white linen, bath towels, and hand-made toiletries.
Be sure to avail of its wood-fired hot tub or take a swim in the property’s natural pool, weather permitting.
Enjoy Rock Farm’s rare breed of Dexter cows, Tamworth pigs as well as chickens and horses.
Rates at this glamping accommodation depend on what you choose. A yurt that sleeps 4 will cost around $273/€255/£220 Sterling/$372 CAD/ $419 AUD for 2 nights.
3. Trean House, County Donegal
Enjoy jam-making and cozy turf fires in this award-winning farmhouse accommodation located on the fabulous Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal.
This award-winning farmhouse B&B on the beautiful Inishowen peninsula offers the chance to experience life on a family farm.
The 125-acre farm, with its neatly made stone walls, streams, wooded glens, and beautiful views over Tremone Bay, offers a variety of farm experiences throughout the year.
During the spring, enjoy the farm’s newborn lambs as well as the plowing and planting of vegetables that are common at this time of year.
Summer is a time for haymaking and, in the autumn, picking apples, gooseberries and raspberries is an annual activity.
The charming 100-year-old farmhouse is surrounded by a large garden complete with apple trees and a variety of other fruit trees.
While the farmhouse is officially open from March 1st through Dec. 20th, out-of-season visits can be arranged.
Rates at Trean House are as follows: €45/$48/£52 Sterling/$65 CAD/$74 AUD) per person sharing in an ensuite room; €60/$64/£51 Sterling/$87 CAD/$98 AUD) single occupancy of an ensuite room per night. The minimum stay required is 2 nights.
4. Hillview Farmhouse, County Clare
Located in the East Clare Lakelands, this delightful farmhouse B&B is a great example of a working farm that is open to showing visitors what is done daily as well as showcasing the animals that live there.
At Hillview Farmhouse, you’ll find dogs, donkeys, pigs, miniature ponies, lambs, even alpacas.
The B&B is run by Trish and Tony Halpin.
Their three children, Enda, Conor, and Aoife help with various tasks around the guesthouse and the farm.
The region is known as one of Ireland’s premier angling areas, with a focus on pike and coarse fishing.
Ireland’s longest river, The Shannon, is nearby as is Lough Derg.
In addition, there are plenty of opportunities here for walking, cycling, horse-riding, eagle watching, and tracing your ancestry thanks to the help of the local branch of Ireland Reaching Out, a volunteer-led Irish Diaspora initiative.
Visitors to the area often make day trips to local attractions like Ballymorris Pottery, the Burren Centre, and The Burren Perfumery, among others.
Rates at this farmhouse are from €35/$37/£29 Sterling/$50 CAD/$55 AUD per person sharing; single rate: €45-€50/$48-$53/£38-£42 Sterling/ $64-$71 CAD/$71-$79 AUD per night.
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5. Mount Briscoe, County Offaly
Enjoy an unforgettable glamping experience on this organic farm, which is run by seventh-generation farmer Margaret Edghill.
In addition to seeing how the farm works and viewing its traditional breeds of cattle and draught horses, you’ll also get the chance to indulge your taste buds with delicious organic products, take a farm tour, and even relax for a while by taking a yoga class or enjoying a massage.
Mount Briscoe has served as an organic farm since 1998. The farm also supports a rich variety of birds and mammals.
Rates are around $268/€249/£213 Sterling/$360 CAD/$399 AUD per night at this farmhouse. You must book on Airbnb.
6. Ballylagan Organic Farm, County Antrim
The self-catering apartment above this 19th-century farmhouse is located a mere 15 minutes from the popular Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim and only 25 minutes from Belfast Airport.
You'll find a sitting/dining room, a double bedroom, a separate shower room and a small but well equipped kitchen in this accommodation.
A small welcome pack of organic foods is included, and you can buy additional organic items in the shop underneath, which serves as the sole outlet for the farm's home-grown produce, beef, pork, bacon, eggs, seasonal fruit and vegetables.
There are two self-guided trails on this 120-acre farm to enjoy.
Rates are £90 Sterling/$111/€105/$150 CAD/$167 AUD per night.
Are you interested in staying on a farm in Ireland? Let me know in the comments below.
would like information on staying on a working farm and in a castle thanks.
Hi Patrick, I can send you a list of additional ones. Also, here is a post I wrote about castles you can stay in while visiting Ireland. These are genuine old castles, not castle-hotels: https://irelandonabudget.com/castles-in-ireland/