Search icon

Counties

13th Jun 2017

Go Summer Glamping On The Historic And Splendid Grounds Of A Grand Irish Estate

Alana Laverty

Feck Marbella – you’re headed straight to the sweeping Galway countryside this summer. 

Glamping is probably one of the coolest concepts ever – luxury, nature and adventure without all the hassle of pitching your own tent and lighting your own fires. 

Ireland is a glamping haven – the trend has absolutely blown up here over the past few years and is hugely popular. 

READ:  6 Stunning Spots In Ireland To Go Glamping With Your Mates This Year

Today we bring you one of the most unique glamping spots in the world – one that we visited ourselves recently and are just in awe of. 

Behold, Galway Glamping… 

Nestled away in the middle of absolute nowhere (AKA the Brooklodge Demesne, Ballyglunin, Galway) you’ll find one of the most interesting sights and sites we’ve ever seen.

Based on the former, prestigious Blake Estate site, you’ll now find Ireland’s latest eco-friendly outdoor event venue on 11 acres of beautiful, scenic land along the banks of Abbert River. 

Mongolian Yurts, wooden cabins, a barn and stables, a chapel, a coach house and a Western-style lodge all along a lively river. 

The site hosts weddings (the dream location), hens, stags, BBQs, corporate retreats and parties of every variety. 

They also host a number of events throughout the year like their New Year’s Glamping Bash, Halloween Zombie Ball, Race Week Special and Easter Egg Retreat for families.

Screen Shot 2017 06 13 At 15 35 35
Full Size Render 87
Full Size Render 88
Full Size Render 89
Full Size Render 90

Easily accessed from Dublin in under two-and-a-half hours via the Athenry on the M6, or just a mere 25 minutes drive from Galway City. 

I was surprised to find Galway Glamping based just 15 minutes from where I grew up, if only I’d known such craic and luxury was only down the road. 

Full Size Render 91
Red
Inside
Yurt Interior 3
Church Interior 1

History

Owners Kathleen, a retired nurse, and Joe Boyle, a builder by trade, purchased the derelict site in 2006 with intentions to convert the site into a holiday village.

A halt was put to this plan in 2008 due to the recession, but this didn’t stop the Boyles from plowing forward with the business you see today.

They welcomed their first guests in March 2012, and business has evolved and grown significantly since.

“As we learned more about the hospitality industry the business evolved. It has been a steep learning curve but, based on the positive feedback we are receiving, we now feel we are 100% on the right track.”

So far, they’ve renovated a 19th-century chapel/schoolhouse, an 18th-century barn, the bottom half of a 15th-century tower and a 19th-century coach house.  

Nowadays the glamping hot spot is packed every weekend, offering not only accommodation but also full packages including catering by a local chef, on-site DJ and activities. 

Activities include bubble ball, team building, cupcake decorating, murder mystery, millinery, angel card reading, laughing yoga, dance classes, photoshoots and axe-throwing. 

If folks are in the mood for a bitta nightlife the Glamping Galway crew can provide a bus into the city. 

569Ea094Ffd804734A4C1Aaa Activity2
569Ea07D7B6867883A2514F9 Activity1

Other features include: 

  • Communal self-catering kitchen 8am – 10pm 
  • Male and female toilets
  • Showers
  • BBQ facilities
  • 24-hour assistance and management
579741A44590C306489Ff562 Lodge2
569Ea4Ebffd804734A4C2136 Cabin1
5691956D11A368F064Aef405 Dorm1
5797418A1A49879C11426D16 Lodge1
57973F724590C306489Ff004 Barn1

We really can’t recommend this idyllic spot enough!

Find all other info on Galway Glamping here

READ NEXT:  21 Everyday Situations That Are Guaranteed To Infuriate Every Irish Dad

Topics: