Glamping and Camping Spots In The Magical Midlands From Hobbit Houses To Stage Coaches!
A new tourism initiative could see a new network of camping and glamping sites, as well as pitches, along the country’s rivers, lakes, and canals. Waterways Ireland is exploring the possibility of developing up to 50 sites at key locations nationwide including Midlands waterways such as the Shannon, the Royal and Grand Canals, and the Barrow. They have issued a tender for a feasibility study, that will inform Waterways Ireland’s future decisions on investing in infrastructure to attract campers and glampers alike and facilitate their accommodation needs.
The winning bidder is expected to review existing glamping and motorhome infrastructure near the inland waterways. According to travel blogger and journalist John Whelan from vanhalla.ie, the plans “will open up access to some beautiful locations and countryside right throughout the Midlands.” John, who has travelled the length and breath of the country in his campervan also said:
“It’s exciting, and the potential for facilities in places like Shannonbridge and Vicarstown is tremendous.
Across the inland counties of the Midlands what is already there, whether you fancy a yurt, or packing a tent into the back of your car?
In Laois, a glamping development called the Pond Beach Resort is coming to Errill. It will include three double units, two single units, a spa treatment unit, sauna, barbecue hut, sports activity area, fire pit, outdoor amenity area and parking. Each of the five units will have their own hot tub! It will be on the same site as the Ranch Cabin that’s already a popular glamping spot run by Iveta Melgaile and Patrick Bowe.
Double award winning ‘Glamping Under the Stars’ located in Cullenagh, just outside Stradbally County Laois is a very popular site for families and hen parties alike. Run by the Fingleton family, you can rent a grass-roofed ‘hobbit house’, a bell tent, wood lodge, or shepherd’s hut on their pretty Meadow glampsite. cross-crossed with natural pathways.
In Westmeath, Glasson Glamping Farm has become a very popular spot located at Tonagh Farm in Glasson which is a family run business. They have accommodation from the Big Green and Red Bus, to a Lakeview apartment, a Stage Coach, Wagons, Pods, Huts, shower facilities and their kitchen area is a centre piece for parties or just having a cosy evening with family
Lough Ree East is set on 5 acres of countryside, directly on the shore of Lough Ree East and 2 miles from Athlone town, featuring a caravan and camping area with shower facilities and plug-in electric points. Ideal for angling, boating, wind-surfing, canoeing, this park is bordered by a 500 meter stretch of the Breensford trout river. It is a convenient base for visiting Clonmacnoise, the River Shannon, The Old Rail Trail and there is even a pub two minutes away.
Lough Ennell Caravan park is situated ten mins from Mullingar with 49 pitches, showers/toilets, campers’ kitchen, wash-up area, laundry room, TV room, games room, playground, on-site restaurant & coffee dock, take away and mini-mart.
Derravaragh camping and holiday centre, Donore, Multyfarnham has playground, washing facilities for self and cooking gear, beside the lake and a well stocked shop.
In Portlick campsite, which is manly used for Scouting trips or school tours, there are 14 acres of camping sites, with playing, archery, water slide, box stacking, zip line, woodland challenges, swimming and kayaking in the nearby lake which features 1km of private shoreline
Looking at Offaly, located just 2km from Kinnitty Castle, Giltraps in Kinnitty County Offaly have camping bays, six Log Cabins and a Mongolian Yurt. Facilities are there to hire a bike on site and check out the new mountain bike trails in the Slieve Blooms.
For a place specifically dedicated to Hen Parties, calling themselves Ireland’s dedicated Hen Party Destination, Boglands is a Glamping site made up of luxury Yurts in Daingean, County Offaly. Also in Daingean, Mount Briscoe Country House and Organic Farm in Daingean have Glamping and Tent facilities where you can walk along the canal our climb to the top of an extinct volcano at Croghan.
At Bramblewick House, Glamping & Handmade Crafts, they have two beautiful ‘Shepherd’s Huts’, completely self-contained. Each hut has underfloor heating, electric shower and a fully fitted kitchenette. They are perfect for a self-catering overnight stay and located in Drumlish, County Longford.
With so many great glamping and camping sites already in the region, this new initiative from Waterways Ireland could see even more great locations developed along the regions waterways, opening up our rivers and canals even more as holiday destinations.
