Unique places to stay in Ireland
Your dream trip to Ireland would be so much cooler if you could find a place to stay that you never dreamed would be possible right? Well, Ireland has a ton of unique places to stay at that range from quirky to completely unusual that you can easily stay at. Finding the most unique places to stay in Ireland can be tricky as there is a lot to choose from.
But, if you are looking for some of the coolest places to stay in Ireland look no further, I’ve got your back. From lighthouses to yurts and bubble domes this article concentrates on all the unique, places to stay in Ireland.
Top 10 most unique places to stay in Ireland
- 1. A haunted Castle
2. A lighthouse
3. A bubble dome
4. A hobbit House
5. A barge or boat
6. A Tree house
7. An antique horsedrawn caravan
8. A converted pub
9. A converted bus
10. A converted Horse truck
- Unique places to stay in Ireland
- Top 10 most unique places to stay in Ireland
- Lighthouses
- Hobbit and Tree Houses
- Manor Houses & Castles (with a twist)
- Yurts & Glamping Domes
- Houseboats, Barges & Unusual Boats
- Horse-Drawn Caravans
- Off-Grid & Remote Stays in Ireland
- Other Extraordinary Stays
- Tips for Booking
- Exploring the fascinating regions of Ireland
Lighthouses
Live like a keeper in a dramatically located tower, often on wild, remote cliffs.
Galley Head Lighthouse, County Cork: A spectacular cliffside stay with a keeper’s house.
Loop Head Lighthouse, Clare: Stay in the keeper’s house at the very edge of Europe. Near the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.
St. John’s Point Lighthouse, Donegal: A bright yellow lighthouse with stunning coastal views.
Fanad Head Lighthouse, Inishowen Peninsula, Donegal: Frequently voted one of the most beautiful in the world, with self-catering cottages.
Clare Island Lighthouse, Clare Island lighthouse and its buildings have been restored and transformed into a luxury guesthouse, this makes the lighthouse the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Wicklow Head Lighthouse (Co. Wicklow), Its octagonal stone tower has been transformed by Irish Landmark Trust and now houses truly unique and delightful self-catering accommodation. With stunning views of the Irish Sea on three sides – and 109 steps up to the kitchen – a stay in this lighthouse will quite literally take your breath away!
Hobbit and Tree Houses
For a true “Shire” experience or a connection to ancient Irish dwellings.
Hobbit House Glamping: (Portlaoise – Co Laois) -This Hobbit Village offers six grass-roofed homes all with quirky themes welcoming families of six in complete comfort. Built into the earth, with a round windows, curved roofs and wooden windows.
Mayo Hobbit Houses (Castlebar, County Mayo): Cosy earth-sheltered domes with porthole windows. Proper LOTR vibes.
West Cork Treehouse (Skibbereen, Cork): Real “grown-up” treehouse with a hot tub, suspended high among mature oaks. One of Ireland’s most atmospheric stays.
The Hideout Treehouse (Co. Wicklow): Architect-built A-frame treehouse with a glam-woodland vibe. Very romantic and usually booked out months ahead.
River Valley Treehouses (Co. Wicklow): Funky, Hobbit-adjacent timber pods built up on stilts. Family-friendly but still very unique.
BirdBox treehouse (Donegal), The Birdbox at Neadú is a cosy, handcrafted treehouse nestled in the branches of beautiful mature oak and scots pine trees. To the front are stunning views towards Glenveagh National Park and a short distance from The Wild Atlantic Way.
Manor Houses & Castles (with a twist)
Beyond standard hotel stays, some offer truly unique rooms or experiences.
Ballyseede Castle, Kerry: A full-blown castle hotel with a tower room and resident ghost. The perfect rest stop when touring the Ring of Kerry.
Cabra Castle, (County Cavan): Stay in a turreted room in a sprawling estate with dungeon bars, and lots of ghosts.
Kinnitty Castle, (County Offaly): A Gothic revival castle in the heart of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, known for its pyramid-shaped crypt bar.
Liss Ard Estate, (County Cork): Offers the incredible “Sky Garden” – a massive earth crater designed by artist James Turrell – on its grounds.
Helen’s Tower (County Down, N. Ireland but close to Dublin): Stone tower stay with Victorian interiors — like living in a historical novel.
Tubbrid Castle (County Kilkenny): Stay in a fully restored 15th-century tower house. Spectacular, candlelit, and unbelievably atmospheric.
Yurts & Glamping Domes
Luxury camping in beautiful, natural settings.
Finn Lough, (County Fermanagh): Famous for its Bubble Domes with transparent roofs for stargazing from your bed in a forest.
Lough Mardal Lodge, Donegal: Luxurious yurts with private wood-fired hot tubs overlooking a serene lake.
Wheelpod Glamping, Donegal: Wheelhousepods glamping in Donegal offers luxury tents with private bathrooms, lake views, and modern amenities. Each unit features a dining area, sofa bed, and outdoor furniture, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Yurt Village at Dromquinna (Kenmare, Kerry): Luxury yurts overlooking Kenmare Bay safari-style vibes on the Irish coast.
Houseboats, Barges & Unusual Boats
Experience life on the water, from tranquil canals to dramatic seascapes.
Sea Stay Galway (County Galway): The boats (e.g. Lovely Laura Lucy, Polaris Popcorn or Regal Lady Norrie K) combine historic charm with comfort — great for a romantic getaway or just something truly “off the beaten path.”
Roisin Dubh Houseboat, (Sallins, Kildare): Staying aboard a barge on the calm waters of the historic Grand Canal is a unique experience. The movement is very gentle and you can expect a wonderful night’s sleep.
Houseboat in Kinsale: The Houseboat offers a recently renovated boat with a sun terrace and free WiFi. Guests can relax on the terrace or balcony and enjoy sea views.
Horse-Drawn Caravans
Kilvahan Horse Drawn Caravans (Co. Laois): Offers authentic caravans with experienced horses, no prior experience needed, plus farm activities like riding lessons.
Irish Horse Drawn Caravans (Various Locations): Provides routes through beautiful areas, allowing you to travel at a walking pace, stopping at farms or pubs.
Clissmann Horse Caravans (Co. Wicklow): Features beautiful, fully equipped gypsy caravans (like “Rosie Lee”) for glamping, with kitchens, bunks, and outdoor seating areas, perfect for family fun.
Inish Beg Estate (Co. Cork): Offers “The Gypsy Retreat” – two restored Roma caravans with modern comforts like an outdoor roll-top bath, ideal for romantic escapes.
Hazelwood Hideaway — “Bluebell Gypsy Wagon”: Offers a hand-crafted gypsy wagon set in woodland in County Galway.
The Old Rectory Gypsy Caravan (Donaghmore, Donard, Co. Wicklow) : A colourful, hand-crafted caravan set in a wildflower meadow on the grounds of The Old Rectory — secluded, peaceful countryside setting.
Off-Grid & Remote Stays in Ireland
Outwest Living – Off-Grid Cabins (Co. Mayo): Beautiful hand-crafted minimalist cabins surrounded by wild Mayo countryside. Quiet, simple, perfect for switching off.
Pure Space Wooden Cabins (Loop Head, Co. Clare): Solar-powered wooden cabins near dramatic Atlantic cliffs. Rustic, peaceful, and ideal for nature lovers.
Crann Óg Eco Farm (Co. Galway): Eco-focused cabins and natural buildings on a small organic farm. A raw, peaceful, nature-immersive retreat.
Ceide Glamping Eco-Pods (Ballycastle, Co. Mayo): Small eco-pods overlooking the Atlantic. Off-grid simplicity with big views.
Clifden Eco Beach Cabins (Clifden, Co. Galway): Beachside eco-cabins run entirely on solar and wind energy. Wild Connemara landscape right at your door.
Wild Nephin Bothy-Style Cabin (Ballycroy, Co. Mayo): Isolated cabin in Ireland’s National Park and only official wilderness zone. Huge skies, peat bogs, and deep quiet.
Valentia Island Escapes (Co. Kerry): a wide range of unique bed & breakfast accommodation including five cosy retro caravans, a luxurious double decker bus, a unique BoatHouse on land, and an idyllic two-story farmhouse with mature gardens.
Aran Islands Camping & Glamping: Aran Islands Camping & Glamping in Kilronan offers a private beach area and direct beachfront access. Guests enjoy sea views and a sun terrace, complemented by a lush garden.
Other Extraordinary Stays
Cozy Tiny House in Cork: The Tiny House in Cork offers a cosy holiday home with one bedroom and one bathroom. The property features a spacious garden and a wellness centre, providing relaxation and rejuvenation for all guests.
Conroy’s Old Bar (County Tipperary): Conroy’s Old Bar is a traditional Irish rural village bar in Tipperary, that has been lovingly and discreetly converted whilst retaining all of it’s charm and character.Especially suited to those who have a love of the great outdoors; who would like to experience the true beauty and tranquility of rural Ireland; whilst staying in an authentic Irish former village pub.
Waterfall Caves (County Limavady): Tucked beneath the slopes of Binevenagh Mountain on the shores of Derry’s Duncrun Fishing Lakes lies one of Ireland’s most unique retreats: Waterfall Caves. Here, sleek, modern underground caves offer a surprisingly luxurious escape, featuring spacious bedrooms, smart TVs, and contemporary comforts. Yet the true magic lies outside your doorstep. Embark on a forest walk, race along farm trails in a buggy, or share stories around a fire pit while roasting marshmallows under the stars.
Beara Bus (West Cork, Beara Peninsula): On Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way your morning view is a living postcard: the dramatic peninsulas of Sheep’s Head and Mizen Head, the island-dotted expanse of Castletownbere Harbour, and a sunrise that paints the Atlantic in gold. This is a front-row seat to nature’s grandeur, where sightings of dolphins, whales, and basking sharks are part of the daily spectacle.
Anne’s Grove Miniature Castle (Cork) A miniature castle built in 1853 it has a medieval fairytale feel to it and the quirky gothic design is a delight. The wood-burning stove provides a cosy feel on cool evenings, and the patio with garden furniture is there to enjoy a morning coffee or al fresco dinner.
Batty Langley Lodge, Co. Kildare: An elegant two-storey building with seven stone pinnacles. Located at the end of a country lane with the river running below, this is a place to make really special memories. The appeal lies in its quiet location, with the bonus of the pubs and restaurants of Celbridge at the end of a lovely walk through the parkland estate.
The Horse Truck: Broadmeadows, Swords: Horse Truck Tiny Home in Ashbourne offers a comfortable apartment with one bedroom and one bathroom. The horse truck features a garden and terrace, perfect for relaxation. A bar provides a cosy spot to unwind, while the hot tub offers a relaxing retreat.
The Forest at Mount Congreve Gardens (Kilmeaden): The Forest at Mount Congreve Gardens in Kilmeaden offers family rooms with private bathrooms, balconies, and terraces. Each unit includes a kitchenette, dining area, and modern amenities. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a garden, outdoor play area, and children’s playground.
Moyvannan Castle (County Roscommon) Rent your own private castle on 7 Acres a spacious holiday home with five bedrooms and six bathrooms. The property includes a living room, family rooms, and a lounge.
Bus Vacation (County Cork): The bus in Ballinhassig offers a three-bedroom, two-bathroom property with a living room. The layout includes a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and family rooms.
Tips for Booking
Book Early: These places are highly unique and have limited availability.
Check Directly: Use platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Ireland’s Blue Book (for historic hotels/manors), but also check the property’s own website for best rates and special offers.
Consider the Season: Some glamping and dome accommodations are best enjoyed in milder months, though many are equipped for cosy winter stays.
Ireland’s landscape of unusual stays turns accommodation into an integral part of the adventure. Enjoy your magical trip.
Start Planning Your Trip
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