Glamping, or glamourous camping, is a ‘luxury’ take on camping. Damp sleeping bags are out, double beds and duvets are in. From comfy tipis and rustic yurts to supersized safari tents, accommodation is a far cry from the two man from Penneys you thought could withstand a few hours in the Red Site in Oxegen last year.
By Karen Birney
Boutique Camping at Mount Druid, Westmeath
Kindalin House at Castletown Geoghan, Westmeath
Last year, Adrian and Deirdre Murphy transformed 100 acres of stunning Irish landscape into Mount Druid Boutique Camping, a haven for eco chic retreats. Lovingly and delicately, the Murphy family planted over 200,000 trees over a five year period. This vast and majestic forest surrounds their campsite, which comprises of 10 Mongolian Yurts, an elegantly refurbished barn, Shepard’s Huts, serene lakes, enchanting orchards, winding cycling tracks, rivers and historic crannógs. This year the family began welcoming weddings to the idyllic setting, and provided a truly alternative and eco friendly venue for couples looking for a relaxed, unusual, and most of all memorable day.
Top: Bed inside a Shepard’s Hut Below: Outdoor bathroom facilities
Yurts & Shepard’s Huts
Boutique Camping comprises of 10 luxurious Mongolian Yurts, each sleeping 2/3 people. These charming, traditional Yurts have cosy single and/or double beds inside, and are full of rustic goodness. The Shepard’s Huts are a little more on the intimate side, with each comprising of a double bed and a stove. The communal area for both the Yurts and Shepard’s Huts is a beautifully renovated barn which is the perfect mix of rustic and modern charm, with an open plan living space and fully equipped kitchen featuring a pizza oven (girls’ night!). It even has a gym and sauna, we kid you not.
Mount Druid is in Westmeath, less than an hour’s drive from Dublin and is open all year round. Along with its yurts and huts, they also offer the stunning Kindalin House, set in the ruins of the old castle in Castletown Geoghan, which can accommodate groups in its three bedroom setup.
Prices: Yurt hire is €100 per night, for 2 nights minimum
Top: Interior of a Yurt Below: Barn communal area
Glamping for your Hen
There are a few things to think about before you decide on glamping for your hen weekend. Firstly if any of your friends are pregnant they probably won’t like the idea of an outdoor toilet, no matter how much you dress it up. And secondly, you have to remember that 5* hotel suite this ain’t, yes it’s kooky and cosy and chic, but you are still very much camping and this is still very much outdoors. Know your audience. If you and your girls are up for blankets and bevs around a campfire, having free reign of an entire site to dance and be merry, and want a truly different and memorable experience, glamping is for you. If you are the type who prefer to get dressed up, enjoy dinner in a fine dining restaurant and finish the night out in the VIP area, it probably isn’t. (But both sound good to us!)
Carry on Glamping (we’ll show ourselves out)
Teapot Lane in North Leitrim comprises of two restored country cottages and three beautifully hand crafted hurts. The festival atmosphere is the order of the day and you can choose between self catering or a Chef-prepared BBQ by the campfire. Treat yourself to one of the many holistic treatments on offer before dinner and drinks under the stars. Continue the festivities by hiring a minibus to bring you and your girls to the nearby lively town of Bundoran, and return home for a cosy, albeit unusual night sleep! Prices start from €160 for 2 nights midweek in Spring/Autumn, and €180 for 2 nights midweek in July/August.
One of the latest additions to the glamping society is Grove Lane in Killarney. Grove Lane boasts a spacious Bell Tent set in its own private orchard and is a ten minute stroll from the town centre. The Bell Tent has a double bed complete with Egyptian cotton sheets and duvet and solid stove. For those wanting a gentle introduction to glamping “Best of Both Worlds” package at Grove Lane is a novel option. The package combines one night glamping with a stay at Killarney’s 4* Randles Court Hotel.
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