Planning a trip to Kilkenny and want to make your holiday extra special? Then why not consider going glamping?
Going glamping in Kilkenny will allow you to get extra close to nature and create memories that you’re sure not to forget anytime soon.
And luckily for you, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of every place you can go glamping in Kilkenny – now all you need to do is book one!
So from yurts and shepherds huts to bell tents and pods, here are 10 amazing glamping holidays in Kilkenny.
1. Brandon Hill Pods
Price per night: From €60 for 2 people or €80 for 4 people
Location: Coolroe, nr Tinahely
Set at the foot of Brandon Hill with amazing views of the Barrow Valley, Brandon Hill Pods are nothing short of picturesque.
There are two pods to choose from: one that accommodates two people and one that accommodates four.
Each pod can be made cheaper by bringing along your own sleeping bag and pillows, or you can pay a bit extra for duvets, etc.
On-site, you’ll also find campervans, caravans and tents, so if you want to bring friends along with you, they’ve got the option to pitch nearby.
Sleep separately then all come together over the campfire as you watch the sun go down. Idyllic!
What guests say: “It was our little piece of heaven on earth, from the very first time when booking to the genuine welcome, the best advice on the activities that suited our needs and the final goodbye. Ken is a man made for meeting, greeting and making people feel welcome. Our glamping pod was spotlessly clean and comfy and came with a stunning view of Mount Leinster.”
2. Butterfly Valley Bell Tents
Price per night: From €75 for 4 people or €85 for 6 people
Location: Thomastown, nr Kilkenny
Butterfly Valley is one of the best places to go glamping in Kilkenny thanks to its wide array of glamping options.
One of my favourite places to stay onsite is in one of their two Bell Tents: The Holly Blue and the Painted Lady.
Holly Blue is the smaller of the two, sleeping up to four people, making it a great option for couples looking for a romantic weekend away.
However, if you’re going away with a larger family or group of friends, the Painted Lady will be the better option as it sleeps up to six people.
No matter which option you go for, they’re both furnished with comfy beds and are set on wooden decks so you can sit out in the evening and enjoy the beautiful view.
What guests say: “Just back from an amazing two days. We stayed in the painted lady tent it was extremely comfortable and immaculate. Everything you need is there. The kitchen was fully equipped and was great to have the gas barbecue outside. Met some lovely families there and had great fun at the campfire in the evenings. Mary is super friendly. Can’t wait to go back.”
3. Butterfly Valley Pods
Price per night: From €80 for 5 people
Location: Thomastown, nr Kilkenny
If Bell Tents are a little too back-to-basics for you and you want a proper roof over your head, Butterfly Valley’s Pods are a great option for you.
Like the bell tents, there are two pods to choose from that both sleep up to five people across a double bed, bunk bed and a sofa bed.
Equipped with electrical points and lighting, a stay here won’t feel like glamping at all!
And when you get to enjoy amazing views from your wooden deck, there’s definitely no room for complaint.
What guests say: “Butterfly Valley Glamping provided the perfect facilities for a group retreat stay. The pods were very snug, clean and stylish. The showers and facilities are of a high standard with tasteful touches around the site. Our chef was extremely impressed with the cooking facilities and the common room was a perfect setting for a celebratory dinner on Saturday night.”
4. Butterfly Valley Vintage Caravan
Price per night: From €75 for 4 people
Location: Thomastown, nr Kilkenny
Butterfly Valley’s Vintage Caravan is the most spacious and well-equipped of all its glamping options.
So if you’re not quite ready to properly sleep under the stars just yet, then book a stay here.
Inside the caravan, you’ll find a double bed and two single beds, ideal for couples or families.
The interior is spacious, light and airy with pale blue furnishings providing a relaxed atmosphere.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Butterfly Valley without a large decking area outside to soak up the sun! Drinks, anyone?
What guests say: “Butterfly Valley offered such a serene space to relax and enjoy time with the family. We stayed in the beautifully restored vintage caravan with its spacious but yet cosy and homely feel. It offered all that was required for a refreshing stay. The caravan has a fridge, an eating area and plenty of storage for belongings. The fire pit and table and chairs provided allowed for a wonderful gathering to take stock and enjoy the tranquil setting.”
5. Legan Castle Bell Tents
Location: Thomastown, nr Kilkenny
As featured in National Geographic, Tatler, The Irish Times and more, Legan Castle is probably my favourite place to go glamping in Kilkenny.
The bell tents are set on the courtyard of the 16th-century ruins of Legan Castle, so the glamping site is steeped in history. And not only that but it’s beautiful too!
Watch the sunset go down on your private decking, before cosying up in your fairy-lit bell tent for one of the best night’s sleep of your life.
You’re sure to sleep well knowing you’ll be waking up to a delicious breakfast.
Think everything from poached eggs and avocado to fresh waffles!
6. Carrigeen Pods
Price per night: From €70 for 2 people
Location: Carrigeen, nr Waterford
Carrigeen Glamping is another site home to some of the best glamping accommodation in Kilkenny.
First up, we have their classic Glamping Pods.
Simple yet well-equipped, the two glamping pods are one of the only accommodation options on this list that come complete with an ensuite bathroom inside the pod.
No nipping out at night for the loo here, folks!
Alongside a double bed, there are also tea and coffee making facilities inside so you can knock yourself up a cuppa in the morning, before enjoying it outside on the deck.
What guests say: “We only had one night in this charming little spot, but wished it was more! The pod was cosy, comfortable and so cute! The farm was picturesque and Marsha’s animals were lovely. Marsha herself was fantastic as well and knowing that we had to make an early exit in the morning to head to the airport went out of her way to get up and make sure there was fresh coffee and breakfast for us. You couldn’t ask for a better hostess.”
7. Carrigeen Yurt
Location: Carrigeen, nr Waterford
Sat just a stone’s throw from the two glamping pods at Carrigeen Glamping, you’ll find the McClure Yurt, one of the most romantic places to go glamping in Kilkenny.
Sleeping two in a comfy king-sized bed, the spacious yurt is a total retreat from the world – especially at night!
Next to the yurt is a hut with a toilet and basin so you’re never too far from the loo.
A communal kitchen and shower facilities are just a short walk away but when you have a delicious continental breakfast of pastries, fruit and juices to tuck into each morning, you won’t need to do too much cooking!
What guests say: “First time glamping and I will definitely go back. I absolutely adored everything about it. The yurt was so cosy and the bed was amazingly comfortable. The breakfast was left for us in the communal kitchen area for us to bring back to the yurt if we liked. There were these little touches here and there that just made it great.”
8. Tree Grove Pods
Price per night: From €70 for 2 people
Location: Kilkenny
Situated just outside of Kilkenny city, Tree Grove Pods provide a cosy and comfortable romantic getaway for two.
The pods comprise a double bed, and a living and dining area, as well as an outdoor seating area.
On-site there are a wide array of facilities that will ensure your stay is a good one.
From free and unlimited hot showers and laundry facilities to free Wi-Fi and a TV room with a pool table, video games and a drinks machine, they’ve got you covered.
However, I’d advise steering clear of the video games and opting instead to make use of the on-site bicycle hire so you can disconnect and explore the region on two wheels!
What guests say: “Our stay was fantastic from start to finish! we had never stayed in a glamping pod before and we were so impressed by Tree Grove! The staff are very friendly and nothing is too much trouble. The pod was clean and super cosy, with everything you need for your stay. There’s a table, plates and bowls, cutlery, a fridge, an electric heater and the world’s comfiest bed! We had some of the best night’s sleep here. The facilities are spotless too.”
9. Alder Cabin
Price per night: From €110 for 2 people
Location: Kilkenny
Okay so this one’s a bit cheeky as it borders the line between glamping and holiday home but it’s a tiny house so that totally counts, right?
Alder Cabin is ridiculously modern and well-equipped.
It comprises a full kitchen with a washer-dryer and dishwasher, a spacious living area with a log burner, a double bed, and a shower room.
While the inside is very impressive, my favourite thing about this cabin is its small decking with seating area which looks like a little suntrap!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner alfresco, anyone?
What guests say: “Alder Cabin is a cosy, comfortable, relaxing base for exploring the area, and has excellent facilities. Good for a couple wanting a bit of peace and quiet. The bed is good, always very important, and there were delicious berries, posh yoghurt, butter, jam, cheese, bread, eggs, milk and orange juice fresh in the fridge when we arrived, which made a huge difference to our leisurely start. The décor is simple, modern and stylish.”
10. Nore Valley Park Wooden Lodges
Price per night: From €47 for 3 people or €73 for 5 people
Location: Bennettsbridge, nr Kilkenny
Last but absolutely by no means least, we have Nore Valley Park Wooden Lodges, my final recommendation for glamping holidays in Kilkenny.
The four lodges sleep anywhere between three and five people and come complete with beds, chairs, storage and a TV.
Toilets, showers and a new camper’s kitchen are just a stone’s throw from your lodge so you’ll never have to walk too far to pop to the loo.
However, the real reason you stay at Nore Valley Park is for the activities.
From crazy golf and go-karting to tractor rides and meeting farm animals, there’s no chance of your little’uns getting bored here!
What guests say: “Absolutely fantastic site. The staff were wonderful, nothing was too big or too small. The facilities were clean, tidy and plentiful. The kid’s activities were brilliant, so much for them to do. A nice quiet site after curfew. Lovely fresh rolls scones and pizza are available from reception. They were yummy. My kids didn’t want to leave.”
So there you have it: 10 amazing glamping holidays in Kilkenny!
Options may be pretty limited but when they’re this good, you can’t really complain.
So which of these glamping sites in Kilkenny are you most desperate to stay at?
Please let me know in the comments below.
