Drumhierny Woodlands Hideaway: Is This the best family getaway in ireland
/
When I read in the news that a new forest hideaway was going to be opening in Leitrim in Ireland, I immediately shared it with my wife. Finally a glamping spot in Ireland that is family friendly and that looks modern with all the amenities needed to enjoy a great experience.
Our last forest experience was in Latvia where we stayed in a tree house and this experience was amazing. Needless to say, that as soon as I got my wife green light, we booked our stay online within a few hours. As expected, there is a high demand and it is preferable to book your stay months in advance.
In this article, I will share what you can expect from your stay at Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway.
Located in Leitrim, 2 hours drive away from Dublin. The drive is quite enjoyable and fast from Dublin. You will mostly drive on the highway (top speed 120km/h) and have the most scenic scenery to look at which makes the drive very pleasant.
Upon arrival, the entrance is marked with a giant, artfully rusted metal sign, and when the gates open up, you drive up a long, tree-lined path past the first few lodges on both sides.
This exclusive hideaway offers 16 self catering lodges nestled within their own private area of the woodland.
You will need to go all the way up the path to check-in at the reception to collect your access card for the house and receive your welcome package.
Check-in can also be completed online in advance, with your lodge key sent directly to your phone via the JustIN app, which is very handy.
It is a car free site. once unloaded you are asked to park your car to the closest car park from your lodge.
Drumhierny lodges
There are 16 lodges in total, all made from natural woods and sleeping 6 people. What I loved are the furniture all made of woods, from the dining table to the lamp stands and clothing racks.
You can choose between four different designs, but the focus of each is the giant, floor-to-ceiling glass façade, which gives you incredible views on the forest.
We personally stayed in the Foxes den ‘A’-frame cabin. On the ground floor you can find the main living area, with a living room, well equipped kitchen, a dinner table, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower.
And up the stairs, you can find the mezzanine with the master bedroom and an en-suite bathroom with another walk-in shower.
Everything is clean, modern and the lodges are well isolated, dry and warm.
The focus is on self-catering which is ideal as a family or if you are on a budget. However, the local cafe offers pizzas, hot dogs and other lite bites and drinks if you are not a fan of cooking.
We tried their pizzas and really enjoyed them. The base of the pizzas were thin and crispy and very tasty.
Lodges start at 450 euros for two nights. Check-in time is 4pm and check out time 10 am.
Things to do
Drumhierny Woodpecker cafe
If you’d like some lite bites, refreshments or a glass of wine during your stay, head over to the Woodpecker cafe a short 5 minutes walk from most lodges in the estate.
There are delicious croissants and sausage rolls available every morning from 10 am while pizza, chips and hot dogs are available from 12 noon.
Don’t miss the ambience of the camp fire every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The fire is lit each of these evenings from 6pm to 8pm depending on the weather. A great way to have a chat with other travelers.
Drumhierny spa
The outdoor well being sanctuary is a private haven of tranquility tucked away in the original walled garden of the estate. You can experience luxurious facilities from seaweed baths, outdoor hot tubs, sauna with a glass wall that overlooks the gardens and loungers. A great place to be one with nature and take time off for yourself.
The Seaweed Bath Experience costs about €65 and €35 if you just want the hot tub and sauna. You’re allotted two and a half hours in total to enjoy the area. Plenty of time to sit back and relax without rush.
Drumhierny Forest trails
There are 100 acres of woodland to explore, with 5km of walking trails weaving around the land.
I personally recommend to walk the Fairy trail and the loop to enjoy the scenic views. You can tell that this forest is old. The moss climbing up the trees really make it look like an enchanted forest.
Is it family friendly?
Having 2 young kids, one of my highest requirements is to have a safe environment my kids can roam freely. The lodges are family friendly. Just make sure to barricade the entrance of the stairs if your kids are not familiar with them yet.
There is a small playground nearby the cafe where the kids can let some steam off while parents can enjoy their beverages.
**Update 2024** Drunhierny Woodland Hideaway just upped the family fun factor with a brand-new playground! This isn't your average swing-set situation – we're talking about a haven for energetic explorers, designed to spark imaginations and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Picture this: your little adventurers zip down thrilling zip lines, their laughter echoing through the trees. They conquer towering slides, their tummies doing joyful flips with every descent. In the fort-building area, creativity reigns supreme as they construct kingdoms and embark on daring pirate voyages. Swings send them soaring through the air, and endless climbing opportunities challenge their agility.
This isn't just about burning off energy, though that's certainly a bonus for parents! The new playground fosters imaginative play, encourages exploration, and provides a safe space for little ones to connect with nature. It's the perfect complement to Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway's already enchanting surroundings, offering a balance between outdoor adventures and imaginative fun.
Kids are able to explore the nature and play freely. We did not worry once about their safety as it reminded our childhood, my wife and I, playing outdoors all day long. A great way for them to discover what nature has to offer and familiarise themselves with bugs and insects.
Insider tips
be mindful of leaving windows and doors open as woodland creatures may enjoy the comfort of your lodge. In the evening lights on while windows or doors are open will also attract flies, bugs and insects.
Plant a tree campaign - in order to offset the carbon footprint of your stay, they will plant a tree for all guests who book directly with them via their own website. and you will be able to see throughout the estate that there’s been an extensive planting done already this year.
Be prepared, ensure you have the correct clothing and footwear for the terrain as it is quite uneven ground.
You can get a fire pit delivered to your lodge complete with a massive stack of logs and giant marshmallows for €25.
Pets are welcomed. Just be mindful of keeping your furry friend on leads at all times when outdoors. A number of Lodges are pet friendly & come with dog bed & blanket
You can request an early check-in and late check out time at 1pm for an extra 50 euros if you do not want to rush in the morning. I recommend it if you have a young family.
Baby cots and high chairs are provided upon request. No need to bring anything with you.
The best thing in my opinion is to recharge in whatever way suits you best. I personally enjoy going for a photo walk along the many foot trails or bringing a good book to read while listening to the sound of the wind blowing the trees.
Overall, our stay as a family was excellent. The weather was great and allowed us to spend most of our stay outdoors enjoying the forest trails. This is great for families as kids can roam around freely and enjoy the nature.
It is the ideal place to disconnect from our busy lifestyle and get back to nature to just relax in this splendid environment.
It is for sure a place I would love to return to whether with friends or family. It is the perfect woodland retreat.
![Is Dublin worth visiting : what you need to know before visiting [free travel guide]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54c65950e4b0579944c39167/1545417367733-3ZIXM6TTRUWSTGW865XO/My+Post+%2834%29.jpg)
PIN ME
