It's that time of the year again when I start to plan some summer fun and adventures. We got into camping last year and had such a great time camping in Donegal, Meath, Wicklow and Wexford so this year we want to squeeze in a few different camp sites around Ireland.
Camping is a great budget friendly way to explore Ireland, giving your children lots of opportunities for outdoor learning and fun! It's a great way to meet other families too, form new friendships, independence and freedom to explore and to give you a chance to relax, enjoy and soak up the camping atmosphere once the tent is pitched!
I know camping isn't for everyone, so I have included some sites that also do glamping that will still give you that camping experience.
What better way to find out what the best family friendly camping sites are in Ireland but by asking you guys! We have also added in some recommend places to visit near these camp sites enjoyed by us and other families.
The ones that are listed below are the top 10 camp sites tried and tested and loved by families including us! There is a wide range of camp sites in the list from big to small, coastal to secluded, something for everyone.
Co. Donegal:
Rosguill holiday park is located in Downings, Letterkenny, Co.Donegal right on the beautiful beach. It has lots of facilities including pitch & putt, tennis court, large Children's play structure (2-12) and a football pitch free to all residents. Facilities include showers (€1 coin), laundry (€1-12 mins), campers kitchen with all mod cons, free WIFI in reception. Just outside the site there is plenty of choices for dinning and plenty of choices of fabulous beaches, sightseeing and activities. On our list of places to visit close by are Ards Forest Park, Glenveagh National Park, and we want to head back to Fanad lighthouse as my 4 year old was just short of the minimum hight to climb the lighthouse last year! There is lots to do in near by town of Letterkenny which is 35 mins drive away. They are currently taking bookings online and open for the season from the 12th March. Prices start at €25 per night for family tent of 4. Electricity €5 per night.
Co. Fermanagh:
Share Discovery Village is located just outside Lisnaskea on the shores of the tranquil Upper Lough Erne. This places comes highly recommend by lots of families because it is action pack with a wide range of activities to suit every age & abilities, to make it an unforgettable family fun camping trip! There is 2 outdoor play parks, walking trails and bike trails free for guests while other activities, land, water and Arts activities are extra and booking in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment. The wide range of activities for here is fantastic check out their web site or Instagram to see them all. There is something for all ages! They also have an indoor pool, sauna & stream room (charged extra) on site too. To be honest this place sounds like the dream place to visit full of action, packed adventure! It's opened from April to October and are now taking bookings online. There is so much to do in this camping site you won't need to look for extra activities outside of here! However three places I highly recommend visiting if you do camp here is The Marble arch caves , Carrowhony Pet Farm and Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway to Heaven) Share Discovery Village is on our list for a weekend stay with family over the summer. They offer self catering, caravan park and camping. Prices start at £30 per night for family of 3+ in a tent. Adventure packages also available.
Co. Armagh:
Gosford Forest Park is located just outside Markethill in Co.Armagh. The site includes Caravans/tents and they just added camping pods (sleeps 4, £60 a night). Gosford Forest Park is one of our favourite places to visit with its many walking trails, deer park, mountain bike trails (blue & green trail are easy to moderate), pump track for bikes, Horse riding trails, walled garden and its epic 6 playgrounds dotted around a 3km walking trail. BBQs welcomed, three food/coffee trailers on site (not always opened),onsite toilets and showers. Great spot for bikes, scooters, horse riding, walking and running. There is plenty to do in nearby towns of Newry (15mins drive) Banbridge (25 mins) and Dundalk (30mins drive). Slieve gullion is around 20mins away and has a great fairy trail and adventure playground. Opened to caravans/camping and camping pods all year round. Booking via web site. Prices for family 4 man tents start at £16.50 per night. Dogs welcomed.
Co. Meath:
Loughcrew Megalithic Centre is located at the Loughrew Cairns, the highest point in the Boyne Valley. It is only a few minutes away from County Cavan and County Westmeath so its the perfect base for exploring lots around these areas. It is a large open camping space surrounded by panoramic views and the most amazing sun sets. Definitely a camp site to visit if you are looking to get away with the family from the fast pace of life. Facilities include tea room, communal toilet, shower block, communal kitchen and flexible check in. There is a games room and playground for the children but plenty of activities and day trips near by like Trim Castle, Tayto Park, loughcrew fairy trail, Cavan kayak center plus so much more. Opened May to Oct, Booking online, prices start at €12 per adult, €6 per child, 2 night min stay, 3 night min stay for bank holiday weekend.
Co. Wicklow:
River Valley holiday park is located in Redcross, Co.Wicklow. We camped here last year. There is so much to do in this camp site, they have a kids club (extra charge), tennis courts, football pitches, playground and more. Plenty of toilets, showers (charge for showers) and a few kitchen units. Great place for the kids on their bikes and scooters. It's in a small village, shop has very limited stock so recommend you bring your own groceries with you. There is a few places to eat in the village, we loved the pizza truck and food stalls in the entertainment area of the site each evening. Great entertainment each night for the children in the entertainment area, free of charge. Places we visited near by and enjoyed where Arklow playground (duck pond, sea front walk, skateboard park) we just put Arklow playground into the GPS, we visited Powerscourt waterfall, Sea Life Bray and Bray Sea front too. We stayed 3 nights but you could easily spent a week here, there are lots of places to visit in Co.Wexford too that are close to this camp site. Opens March, Booking essential, prices start for camping at €7 per adult, €5 per child plus €13/€14 site fee. Electric hook ups available.
Co. Wexford:
Curracloe holiday villas is a Holiday villas/caravan & camp site in a small village called Curracloe. We stayed here last year and the boys had the best time ever. Only 120meters walk to the most beautiful golden beach (Saving Private Ryan was filmed on it). Fabulous place to stay if you are a beach lover. Site itself has a small playground,mini golf,football/basket ball and tennis court for residents (small refundable charge for equipment). On site licenced restaurant with a few arcade games and sweet shop. Its not great for bikes or scooters but so safe for the kids to run around. There is a small kitchen with all mod cons (no charge) showers (no charge), washing line & a next day laundry service (small charge for this). We spent most the time at the beach but still managed to take in a few places close by, kiaora mini farm, Wells House & garden, Irish national heritage park, min Ryan Park (GPS gets you there), Wexford Lavender Farm. In the village there is a well stocked shop, pubs and restaurants. Water sports activity center at opposite end of beach, they also have a water sports kids club running in the summer months (additional charge). No prices available yet for 2022 season on web site, Booking is opened via email.
Co.Cork:
Eagles Point is located 6km from Bantry right on the water edge. There are lots of water activities available at the beach (additional charge), fishing, small playground, football, basket ball, tennis court and lots of small pebble beaches to enjoy. You can get a pitch for your tent right at the water edge giving you the perfect sea view each morning. Centra supermarket, hot deli, off licence on site and pub/cafe within walking distance. Laundry service (additional charge), kitchen and showers (free). Top places recommended to visit near by are Mizen head, Caha Pass (N71), Ewe Garden and West Corks Model Village. Opened June 2nd 2022 and currently taking bookings via web site. Prices for family 4 man tent start at €35 a night. No pets allowed. Electric hook up available.
Co.Clare:
O Connor's Riverside Caravan and camping site is located in Doolin, Co. Clare over looking the Aille River. The camp site is a small, quite, family run site constructed on the grounds of their farm. Facilities include showers (€1), kitchen with mod cons, laundry & games room. Doolin village has lots to offer. Its small but packed with lots of charm. It has some of the best pubs with live music sessions every night. Lots of pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops to visit. Great place if you like fishing. Places recommended to visit near are Cliffs of Moher, Moher Hill pet farm, Doolin Caves, The Aran Islands, and Bunratty Castle is a short drive from Doolin. We were in Bunratty Castle two years ago and its a fantastic day out. Prices start from €26 per night for family 4 man tent, electricity hook up €4.
Co. Roscommon:
Willowbrook glamping and hideaway is located in Ballaghaderreen in Co.Roscommon which is situated on 21 acres of land with lots of little walks around the river and the land. This place is the perfect hide away with options for glamping in Yurts, caravans and tents. Facilities include kitchen for campers with all mod cons, showers (free), communal fire pit area and wood burning pizza oven hut (ingredients and wood can be purchased on site). No permit is required for guests of the site to fish along the river. Willowbrook has a Natural Healing Clinic that provides a variety of therapy, Booking is essential and a lovely treat for the adults. If you don't fancy cooking there are lots of places to eat and drink in near by villages Ballaghadarreen (5mins) and Castlerea (15 mins). Lots to do in near by towns such as Castlebar (36 mins) Westport (51 mins) and carrick-on-shannon (32 mins).Some attractions recommend are Arigna mining experience, (50 mins drive) Lough Key Forest Park (34 mins).
For the kids, at Willowbrook has Faerie garden, faerie door trail, orienteering, Kids club that runs daily during summer months 10am -11am (€7 per child). They also run week long Easter and Summer kids camps. Alpca walks can also be enjoyed on site, booking essential.
Prices for tents start at €10 per adult and €5 per child. Electric hook up €5 a night. Opens 4th March 2022. Dogs welcomed in one yurt (yurty and the trap) and with all camping bookings.
Co. Galway:
Clifden Eco Beach campsite is located on the shores of the Wild Atlantic Way just 10 minutes from Clifden Town. This eco camp site is all about getting back to basics and the simplicity of life. WIFI & phone coverage is limited! This beautiful eco camp site is the perfect spot for family time with no distractions and waking up to the sound of the sea! Facilities include showers, hair dryers, kitchen with mod cons. Private beach, bike hire, Kayaking hire, self guided walks, fishing points and is pet friendly. Lots to do in the area including Connemara National Park (16 mins) and Kylemore Abbey (23 min) worth a visit. We visited both these a few years back with the boys. Prices start for family 4 man tent €28 per night, book through web site. Electric hook up available.
There is so many great camp sites in Ireland and thank you all for your recommendations, it was hard to condense the list to just 10! I hope you find your perfect camping site on our list. We have already booked some of these camp sites above for this year and hoping we might just squeeze a few more in!
Head to our Instagram page @playwithmemammy and check out some of our County highlights on our grid to see more on these places we recommend.
Happy camping!
*All information was correct at time of posting in January 2022. Information was gathered by personal experiences from myself or other families of their camping trips to the 10 places above. These are our own opinions. All photos are my own apart from the ones saying 'curtesy of' in which I gained permission to use. Information & prices stated in the post is subject to change.*