Bubble domes to bell tents, vintage caravans to tree-houses, there are so many different ways to try glamping in Ireland, check out my top picks below.
When I started researching this post on glamping in Ireland, I noticed that the word ‘glamping’ or glamorous camping, can really mean anything from a fancy tent with a mattress, to a glass bubble dome in the woods with a waiter service. I found adult-only glamping sites for the ultimate romantic getaway, as well as camp sites with lots of facilities for kids, including kids clubs and aqua parks.
My first piece of advice is to think about how you want to experience glamping in Ireland. Do you want a luxury hideaway with no children to be seen, or do you want a family break with lots to keep the kids happy? Other important things to consider are whether you need an en-suite toilet or shower, a separate bedroom for children, and if you are looking for a traditional camping experience.
Some of my favourite memories of glamping in Ireland are cooking on an open fire, and having a private outdoor deck to enjoy the morning chorus. However, kids clubs and WiFi might be a high priority in your household…I have listed my top picks for glamping in Ireland below, and have more treehouses and quirky stays in my post on top Airbnb Glamping Sites in Ireland.
1. Dromquinna Manor, Kerry
A member of Ireland’s Blue Book, Dromquinna Manor is one of most luxurious choices for glamping in Ireland. You can enjoy all the benefits of camping with the added advantage of having a bar and restaurant on your doorstep.
Their custom-made safari tents are impressive too. They are furnished like a luxury hotel bedroom with comfortable beds, high walls, a private veranda and and a breakfast basket waiting at your tent door each morning – what more could you ask for?
Family tents are also available with a separate bedroom and there is a playground, games room and a dedicated area for barbecues and camp fires. Washing facilities and toilets are located close to the tents.
For the ultimate glamping experience you can rent the Hideaway. This secluded tent has a separate entrance via a private gated garden, has antique furnishings and ensuite facilities, as well as stunning views over the lake.
2. Finn Lough Forest Domes, Fermanagh
The Finn Lough Bubble domes are one of the most unique places to experience a glamping holiday in Ireland. In fact, I’m not even sure they should be categorised as a ‘glamping’ experience – I think they probably deserve a loftier title.
You may have seen images of similar domes under the Northern Lights in Lapland or Norway, but you only have to venture as far as Co. Fermanagh to enjoy stargazing from the comfort of your own four-poster bed.
With a 180 glass dome you will feel immersed in nature, albeit from a heated dome that comes equipped with an ensuite bathroom, Nespresso coffee machine, bath robes and complimentary breakfast.
Finn Lough Resort has a host of amenities on site including a spa, a choice of watersports and a great restaurant that boasts top quality locally sourced food. Note the Bubble domes are adult-only accommodation, however there are other accommodation choices available within the resort.
3. Ballyvolane House, Cork
If you want to try a luxury glamping experience but are not too keen on cooking, then Ballyvolane House is the place to go. The award-winning Ballyvolane country house has been welcoming guests for over thirty years.
You will enjoy a full-service glamping experience here, with all meals, drinks and afternoon tea provided in the main house, as well as a ‘glamping box’ provided with essentials.
They are different glamping options to choose from. The ‘glamping ark’ is ideal for couples, while bell tents sleep up to two adults and two children. All glamping accommodation is fully kitted out with raised timber beds, and the Ballyvolane turn-down service includes hot water bottles in your beds!
A fully heated wash house with toilets, showers and hair-dryers is located beside the glamping area, and best of all – a full Irish breakfast is served until noon in the main house, so you can enjoy a lazy morning in your cosy tent.
4. Killarney Glamping at The Grove, Killarney, Kerry
Killarney Glamping at The Grove is a couples-only glamping site located close to Killarney town. You can enjoy a peaceful countryside setting with the option to stroll into town if you fancy dining out or enjoying some live music. We stayed here six years ago when it had recently opened, the location is superb.
The Glamping Suites have a luxurious double bed, electric blanket, gas stove and en-suite toilet. The private outdoor kitchen with barbecue and gas hob means you can enjoy a meal on your own heated patio in the evening time.
You can also choose to stay in one of their luxury lodges, which have central heating, king size beds, a wet-room style shower and a mini-kitchen with a Nespresso machine.
5. Nire Valley Eco Lodge, Waterford
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We stayed in the newly opened Nire Valley Eco camp last summer and we loved it. All five eco-cabins have acres of space around them with stunning views of the Comeragh Mountains.
The cabins are beautifully furnished with a large comfortable bed, and have a bathroom with shower and toilet, and a mini-kitchen. It is an ideal glamping site for families too as kids can sleep above you on the mezzanine level, and pets are also allowed.
One of the highlights for me was the breakfast basket that was delivered to our cabin every morning, with locally sourced foods and freshly baked brown bread. For more information on our stay in Nire Valley Eco camp read my blog on things to do in the Munster Vales.
6. Portsalon Luxury Camping, Donegal
Portsalon campsite is home to five luxurious yurts close to stunning coast in North Donegal. With king sized beds, wood burning stoves and carpeted floors, you are guaranteed a warm comfortable stay. The outdoor decking comes with a hammock, firepit and barbecue area as well as stunning sea views.
Communal bathrooms and kitchen facilities are available beside the yurts and there is 24-hour complimentary wifi available.
Check prices here
7. Aran Islands Glamping, Galway
If you are looking to swap the hustle and bustle of city life for rugged landscapes and local traditions, its hard to beat the Aran Islands. The Aran Islands Camping and Glamping site located on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands.
There are traditional camping facilities as well as glamping pods, all located close to the main town of Kilronan, and the stunning Frenchman’s beach.
There are two types of glamping pods which can accommodate four or six people, so they are an ideal choice if travelling with friends or family. All pods have a shower room, toilet and wash basin, as well as a mini kitchenette.
Check prices here
8. Mayo Glamping, Mayo
Mayo Glamping has a wonderful selection of accommodation for glamping in Ireland. From hobbit huts, to Nordic Cabins and even a railway carriage – you will be spoilt for choice. Each home has its own outdoor fire pit, and a continental breakfast is also provided.
There are cooking facilities in the communal kitchen, an outdoor cooking area for a BBQ or a wood fired pizza, and an outdoor hot tub and sauna. Kids will love the outdoor play area, board games and the hall for watching movies too.
Located just outside Castlebar, Mayo Glamping is the perfect location to explore all that Mayo has to offer. We visited Mayo last year and loved it.
Read: Top 10 things to do in Mayo
9. Cabu Cabins by the Lakes, Cavan
I’m not so sure that a stay at Cabü Cabins should be described as glamping, but it certainly a unique place to stay in Ireland. Located in Killykeen Forest Park on the shores of Lough Oughter, these luxurious cabins offer fabulous opportunities for boating, fishing and forest walks.
The log cabins and houses are scattered throughout the woodland and there are both traditional and contemporary cabins that suit families and couples. Pets are also welcome in some cabins.
There is a bar, a traditional style grill serving evening meals, as well as a Sitooterie, which has an open fire and has barbecues on selected evenings.
There is also a shop on site, and a nature spa with an outdoor hot tub and sauna. Cabu Cabins offer a luxurious cabin experience in the forest, with the benefits of hotel-type facilities on site.
9. Purecamping, Clare
Purecamping was my first experience of glamping in Ireland and I loved it. Located in Loop Head, just 7 kilometers from Kilkee, it has all the feels of a retreat, but with great amenities close by.
You can choose to stay in one of the 5-metre bell tents which sleep up to four people, complete with its own deck and fire pit, or one of their wooden cabins or lodges, some of which can accommodate families of six. Cabins have their own toilet, sink and stove, while communal toilets and showers are available close to the tents.
A new woodland trail through the 10 acre native woods is a nice way to start the day, and there is a large indoor playhouse as well as plenty of open fields for kids to play and kick ball.
They have a pizza oven where kids (and adults) are encouraged to make their own pizzas. This is a good way to meet your fellow campers too.
I recall the night time gatherings around the campfire, some cooking fish that they had caught that day, others toasting marshmallows. There was plenty of beer and wine, starry skies and best of all – plenty of chat.
The owner Trea is a qualified yoga instructor and offers yoga and meditation classes, and the new wooden barrel sauna with dunk bucket is bound to be a great asset to the camp.
Purecamping also run special events throughout the year, such as a Yoga and Vegan Cookery retreats and Loophead Wellness weekends.
11. Podumna Glamping Village, Galway
The Podumna Glamping Village offers visitors the feel of a camping experience, with the added advantage of being close to the town of Portunma and the river Shannon nearby. They have a selection of pods, huts and cabins, some sleeping up to six people.
The Pods come with a luxurious double bed and are ideal for couples, while there are family pods that sleep up to five. All pods are fully insulated and come with bedding, heating, and a deck with barbecue, table and chairs.
Communal bathrooms, kitchen and dining rooms are available. If you wish to have a large family gathering or group event, you can hire the exclusive use of Podumna Village for a large group.
12. Rock Farm Slane, Meath
Rock Farm Slane has five yurts and two shepherd huts on a 150 acre farm along the the banks of the River Boyne. Surrounded by a wild meadow and overlooking Slane Castle, it is a wonderful ecotourism destination that will give you a back to nature experience in Ireland’s Ancient East.
Rock Farm Slane is suitable for singles, couples and families, and can even host weddings, hen parties or corporate events. The luxurious yurts can sleep up to six while the cosy shepherd huts sleep up to two. ‘Le Shack’ has a communal kitchen dining area and bathrooms with a decking area for hair drying.
The chill out zone has a wood burning stove, an iPad docking station, and there is a clay pizza oven and large communal fire pit which are popular ways to meet fellow campers. If you fancy a dip you can choose the private river access for wild swimming or the outdoor hot tub for a more relaxing experience.
13. Glamping Under the Stars, Laois
As well as offering six different glamping accommodations, the name, ‘Glamping Under the Stars’ has already got me thinking that I want to stay there.
Located just an hour from Dublin, this award-winning glamping site has bell tents, wood lodges, hobbit houses and a shepherd’s hut, all equipped with proper beds, a private decking area and sockets for charging phones.
The Lake View and Starry Night bell tents sleep up to four, while the Blue Sky bell tent, the Shepherds hut and lodges sleep up to six. The hobbit houses are built into the earth with curved ceilings and grass roof. All sleep up to six, and some have ensuite bathrooms too.
The communal ‘Glamp House’ has a kitchen & dining area with a barbecue deck, campfire area, and proper bathrooms. There is also a children’s playhouse, sandpit and fairyhouse.
14. Belmullet Coastguard Station, Claggan Island, Mayo
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I spotted these luxurious glamping pods recently and I can’t wait to see them first hand. Located on Claggan Island – which was only officially declared an island in 1991. It is located about 12km from Belmullet and is linked to the mainland by a narrow, sandy causeway that divides Trawmore Bay from Blacksod Bay, and is surrounded by sandy beaches.
The luxury Pods can sleep up to four adults and have a toilet and washbasin, with full access to the dedicated kitchen and shower area. Tents can be pitched beside the pods for additional €15 per day.
15. The Hideout, Romantic Tree House in Wexford
Are you looking for somewhere unique to stay in Ireland? This beautiful tree house should do the trick! Featured on RTÉ’s The Big DIY Challenge, this fully insulated tree house comes with a wood stove and multiple oversized windows, to catch the perfect sunset views. You can also stargaze through the skylight in the loft-style bedroom, and enjoy a BBQ on the outside deck.
The house has all modern electrics, and the bathroom pod has a normal toilet and a large two-person shower. This treehouse is featured on Airbnb, you can see more glamping sites on Airbnb in this post:
Top Airbnb glamping sites in Ireland
16. Butterfly Valley Glamping, Kilkenny
Butterfly Valley Glamping is located just 2km from Thomastown, overlooking the river Nore in Kilkenny. There are luxury bell tents, wooden pods and even a vintage caravan on site. All accommodation is well equipped with comfortable beds, and there is a separate wooden lodge with a kitchen/dining area, bathroom facilities, and a chill out area with tea/coffee and board games.
There is also a barbecue and camp fire area, which is perfect for toasting marshmallows and connecting with fellow campers. Kilkenny is a super choice for a family staycation, we visited last summer and loved it.
Read: Top 10 things to do in Kilkenny with kids
17. Ardmore Glamping Pods, Waterford
Ardmore Glamping Pods consist of six custom made pods and a large Scandinavian log cabin that recently opened in 2018. They are located in the popular seaside resort of Ardmore, and have the added advantage of having an open farm and mini zoo on the grounds – although an additional charge applies.
The glamping pods are extremely well equipped with a double bed, pull out sofa, dining table and chairs, wardrobe, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, toilet and wash basin.
You will also have access to the communal log cabin which has an open plan living area with TV, full kitchen facilities and showers. BBQ facilities are available for hire.
18. Teapot Lane, Leitrim
Teapot Lane offers a wide selection of accommodation for glamping in Ireland. The vintage caravan which sleeps up to two, is their lowest price accommodation option, but this is equipped with a small double bed and a Nespresso coffee machine.
Yurts are also a popular choice. They are heated, furnished with wooden floors and have a private deck where you can enjoy a barbecue. Communal toilets, kitchen and shower facilities are located close by.
Have you always wanted to stay in a tree house? This is your chance! Complete with a king sized bed, a pot belly stove. a wine fridge and a swing chair to relax and enjoy the view, this adult-only glamping site is the perfect romantic hideaway.
However, Teapot Lane is not just for couples. For ten years they have hosted unique Hen weekends, which come with meals and activities included. It is BYOB but they have bars available with glasses, mixers etc. If you fancy a night in the city, their complimentary bus will take you to and from Sligo town or Bundoran.
See more treehouses and quirky stays in my post on top Airbnb Glamping Sites in Ireland
19. The Old Forge Glamping,Wicklow
Located on the grounds of a Georgian House amongst the Wicklow Hills, the Old Forge Glamping site is an idea choice for a family glamping holiday in Ireland.
There are four yurts which sleep up to four people, and a log cabin that can accommodate up to six, and you can even hire the whole campsite if you want to get a group of friends or family together.
Each yurt or log cabin has its own campfire and barbecue area, and inside they are fitted with proper bedding. You are free use the fully furnished kitchen and bathroom facilities in the Georgian farmyard building, and there is also an outdoor bar.
20. Lough Mardal Lodge, Donegal
Lough Mardal Lodge is on my own wish list. Located in Donegal with gorgeous lake views and serious interiors goals, this eco lodge is rated as Excellent on TripAdvisor and was a Travellers Award winner last year.
Choose from Sky dome yurts with king-sized beds, wood-burning stoves and verandas with lake views or romantic Shepherd’s huts for two.
21. Further Space Glamping in Ireland – Wexford & Mayo
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Luxury Glamping company Further Space has recently opened in Wexford and Mayo, following on from their success across Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Located in Forth Mountain, Wexfrord and Belmullet in Mayo, these glamping pods offer mountain views close to popular hiking trails.
Each pod can sleep up to four, and comes with a double bed, and bunkbeds for children ( under 15). You will also find an ensuite with shower, mini kitchenette, electricity and USB charging points, and a private fire pit. Breakfast and camp fire packs can also be supplied – extra charge.
The Further Space glamping site in Wexford is pet-friendly too!
Read: Top things to do in Wexford with kids
Read: Top 10 things to do in Mayo
22. Further Space Glamping at Glenarm Castle, Antrim
Further Space at Glenarm Castle, has the same well-equipped glamping pods in all locations, but what sets this site apart is that all pods come with a terrace with stunning sea views. They are also ideally located for exploring the Causeway Coast.
They are located inside the grounds of Glenarm Castle so you enjoy plenty of onsite facilities including a choice of dining options, a Walled Garden and Woodland Walk, and a Mini Land Rover Experience for children. Further Space has six locations for glamping in Northern Ireland.
23. Beds of Silk, Clare
Located in Labasheeda in Co. Clare this adult-only shepherd’s huts are ideal for romantic glamping in Ireland. All huts have a patio with BBQ, a King Size bed, kitchenette and private bathroom.
With the Cliffs of Moher and Wild Atlantic Way close by, this is the perfect choice if you are looking for a glamping holiday in Ireland for couples.
24. Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, Leitrim
These large luxury lodges are also on my wish list for glamping in Ireland. As well as an outdoor spa with seaweed bath and hot tub, and a children’s playground, the lodges have a private deck with seated area, a flat-screen TV, free WiFi, and kitchen with oven and dishwasher.
There is a choice of accommodation available, some lodges sleep six or eight, and accessible and pet-friendly lodges are also available.
25. Slow Cabins, Galway
Slow Cabins are peacefully located in the Burren Lowlands, yet less than 1km from the popular village of Kinvara. These eco houses are equipped with a queen-sized bed (including linen), a bathroom with a warm shower and toilet, a wood-burning stove, a kitchenette, and outdoor furniture with a wood-burning barbecue with a grill plate.
The Slow Cabins concept is to encourage you to go off-grid and focus on your carbon footprint. With this in mind, you have water and energy allowances and WiFi is not available. This is an ideal spot for couples looking for a mix of romance and adventure with a strong focus on sustainability.
I hope this post will inspire you to go glamping in Ireland in the near future. Let me know if you decide to book any of these glamping sites and how you got on when you get back. Note some of the links in this post contain affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
Like this post? You might like my top Airbnb glamping sites in Ireland
Like holidays in Ireland? See more here
Sarah
