A planning application for a new glamping development in County Tipperary is under consideration by Tipperary County Council.
Local residents Brian and Jennifer Condon have applied for permission to establish a small glamping site at Knockballiniry, Ardfinnan, which would include three glamping pods.
The proposal outlines additional features, including an amenity area with shower and drying facilities incorporated into an existing agricultural building, three car parking spaces, bicycle parking, and a revised entrance to the site.
Support for the project has been expressed by Knockmealdown Active, a cross-community initiative dedicated to promoting the Knockmealdown Mountains.
In a letter submitted to the council, the group highlighted the shortage of visitor accommodation in the area. “Time and again, we have come across the lack of accommodation being highlighted by visitors coming to this area,” they told the Irish Independent.
The organization pointed to challenges during events such as the St. Declan’s Way Walk, an annual pilgrimage walk that passes through the Knockmealdown Mountains.
“When we host the St Declan’s Way Walk, stage three of which begins in Goatenbridge and finishes at Mount Melleray, people have to book accommodation as far away as Dungarvan, and even further than that,” the letter stated.
The group also noted the proximity of the proposed pods to the new trailhead in Knockballiniry.
“The proposal for accommodation pods, virtually next door to the new trailhead in Knockballiniry, has been met with great approval from our group,” they said.
According to Knockmealdown Active, reasonably priced accommodation could encourage longer visitor stays, generating economic benefits for local businesses.
The Knockmealdown Mountains are a well-established destination for walkers, offering several looped routes suitable for various levels. The addition of glamping units could provide new lodging options for walkers and tourists, potentially extending visitor dwell time in the region.
Tipperary County Council is expected to issue a decision on the application by November 18.
If approved, the development would add to Ireland’s growing glamping sector, reflecting broader trends in outdoor hospitality where smaller-scale accommodations are being introduced to meet rising demand from walkers, cyclists, and short-stay travelers.
For operators across the outdoor hospitality industry, the project highlights how targeted, small-capacity developments in rural areas can address accommodation gaps while supporting local tourism economies.