A Laois-based glamping business is offering a distinctive twist on rural tourism by combining traditional horse-drawn travel with modern glamping experiences.
Making Tracks, located in Ballybrophy, provides guests with the option to stay in stationary glamping pods or embark on guided horse and wagon trips through the Laois countryside.
The business is preparing for its reopening on May 1, following ongoing construction aimed at enhancing accessibility and guest facilities. Planned updates include the addition of wheelchair-friendly infrastructure and new toilet blocks, further aligning the site with inclusive tourism standards.
According to owner Ian Hyland, the business operates with a focus on sustainability and low environmental impact. “We do our best to have a minimal impact on the climate, and always prioritise being eco-friendly,” Hyland said in a report by Ireland Live. The site incorporates solar panels and rainwater harvesting to support its operations.
The glamping accommodations at Making Tracks include five glamping pods—ranging from teepees to a restored railway carriage—as well as five guest rooms listed on Airbnb.
In addition, the business features five traditional wagons pulled by horses. Each wagon is equipped with essential amenities such as a stove, cooking utensils, lighting, bedding, and water containers, enabling multi-day excursions through designated routes in the region.
Guests have the option to navigate the journey independently or enlist a driver provided by the business. “We loan the guests the horse and the wagon, we give them what they need, and show them the fields they can stay in on the different routes. We also offer a personal driver for the wagon if they prefer,” Hyland said.
For businesses operating in the glamping and outdoor tourism sector, Making Tracks offers a case study in combining heritage tourism, sustainable practices, and experiential travel.
The site’s proximity to major transportation options—particularly the Ballybrophy train station—enables easy access for international guests, who make up the majority of the clientele. “We’re an hour away from everywhere in the country, we’re very central, so we get a lot of American, German, and Austrian tourists,” Hyland noted.
The business was recently awarded €250,000 through Fáilte Ireland’s Private and Community SME Scheme, supported by the EU Just Transition Fund. This capital injection is likely to support its continued development, including its focus on accessible tourism and renewable energy systems.
For operators in the outdoor hospitality industry, the model presents an example of leveraging local history and landscape to create differentiated, immersive guest experiences.
By integrating mobility with accommodation, Making Tracks not only diversifies its product offering but also increases the length of guest stays—an ongoing goal for many in the sector.