Visit Kinnity – Glitraps Glamping Review

Visit Kinnity Giltraps Glamping – our review

When my oldest suggested we go camping for his birthday im sure he could see the look of fear in my face! Some frantic google searches ensued and I stumbled across Giltraps Glamping in Kinnity, Offaly.  Bingo I thought, this looks like the ideal comprise. The first line in their web pages called in luxurious glamping –  no further research needed – done!  I sent them an email and 2 weeks later we were off to Offaly for the night.

We were checked in by Julie, who I had been dealing with over email, she was incredibly helpful and accommodating, allying my fears about the upcoming Storm  Gerturde weather warnings!!

The setting itself is gorgeous 6 log cabins and a Mongalian Yurt.  Also on the site were pigs and chicken whom i don’t doubt will run in fear should my pair ever arrive down again.

The Cabin

We stayed in cabin number 2 which had a double and 2 single beds, which was ideal for us.  The cabin was absolutely spotless. Bed linen and were towels supplied.  There was a little area outside with chairs where we sat while the kids happily played   When we arrived at the cabin they had put balloons and birthday banner up for my sons birthday which I thought was a really lovely touch. We opted for the breakfast hamper delivered the next morning – one word – AMAZING.  Around 9.30 the following morning a home cooked breakfast bap arrived at the door with a flask of tea.  We sat outside and ate the breakfast, seriously yum.

The glamping site lit up at night time was magical – (im choosing to ignore the 500 toilet breaks my oldest insisted he needed just to go outside to see it lit up!!) Speaking of which there was a number of shared toilets and showers again- spotlessly clean.  There was also a small kitchen which you could access any time of day or night.

The Area

Kinnity itself is only a small town probably best knows for the famous Kinnity Castle about a kilometre from the glamping site.  We had drinks in Giltraps pub on site.  This was like stepping back in time, it reminded me of my own family holidays as a child visiting my mothers home place in the West of Ireland.  The pub oozes old world charm, we were served by a really nice girl whose name I wish I had got.  She will most likely remember the crazy kids there last Saturday!! I loved the relaxed homely vibe, complimented totally by the staff. There was a coffee shop also on site however we didn’t get to visit this time around but it looked lovely.

All in all this was a thoroughly enjoyed experience and we have vowed to come back next year as the oldest has decided this time he wants to stay in the Yurt! I wont be disagreeing. Service and attention to detail is top notch here and makes the ideal get away being only an hour and a half from Dublin.

Insider Tips

• The town doesn’t have a bank machine – you can get cash back in the pub though
• We brought snacks for the kids, this was a good call, options for shops locally are limited enough
• There is great free playground within walking distance behind the church. Kids had it all to themselves Sunday morning and really enjoyed
• Pop in to Kinnity Castle for drink – the Dungeon bar is lovely and such a novelty.
• For anybody who fancies the more traditional style camping check out the great tips from Navigating Baby
• Glamping is actually really fun!

We booked direct which was the best value I could find, for further details see website

 

A year on…….Next stop will be….

Its almost birthday time for again for my oldest and we asked him what he wanted this year….drum roll please……on the way home from Donegal last weekend we passed via Carrick on Shannon so what he wants to do this year is a boat trip on the Shannon and stay close by.  I had a look at the options locally and im loving the sound of Carrick Self Catering. Aside from hearing about it as a destination for hen and stag parties i never realised there was so much to do for families locally from Lough Kee Park to  the Arigna Mining Experience, sounds brilliant and the kids would love it. We spent one night in Kinnity but I have a feeling Carrick will be pushed out for the two nights so we can really get a feel for all the place has to offer as a family destination.

If you fancy something further afield have a look at this post from Travelling with Boys on Wemyss Bay Holiday Park and if like me a lodge with a hot tub is high on your wish list there are some pretty amazing options out there from couples only to family friendly.

Note: This is not paid or sponsored, we paid for this ourselves, we are just  happy campers (sorry!!!!)