A planning application has been submitted to Roscommon County Council for the development of eight glamping pods near Boyle, County Roscommon.
The proposed site is located in the Glooria townland, Cavetown, and includes plans for a reception and games room as well as dedicated car parking facilities.
The application outlines a development that aims to integrate visually with its rural surroundings. Each glamping pod would be 4.98 metres in height and styled to resemble traditional agricultural structures.
According to the Roscommon Herald, the floor area of each unit would be 41 square metres, accommodating a kitchen, dining and living area, one bedroom, a bathroom, and a mezzanine level that could serve as an additional sleeping space.
The applicants assert that the project is intended to address a gap in the current accommodation offering in North Roscommon, aiming to attract visitors seeking nature-based experiences in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
“The development will provide accommodation to visitors throughout the year and will complement the strong tourism offering of North Roscommon and South Leitrim,” the application states.
“This will enable visitors to stay for an extended period in Roscommon, therefore assisting the local economy and creating an additional micro circular economy in this rural community.”
Support for the proposal has been voiced by local tourism officials. Lisa Joy, Tourism Officer for Roscommon County Council, stated, “I think it is a great idea and is very welcome for Roscommon and the Cavetown Lake and Boyle area.”
She noted that the council has invested in outdoor recreation projects in the area and highlighted the growing number of tourists participating in activities such as walking and kayaking.
Joy also referenced recent developments in Boyle, including investment from Fáilte Ireland’s Destination Towns program, the opening of An Ríoga, and ongoing interest in local attractions like King House, Boyle Abbey, and Lough Key Forest and Activity Park.
Joy also emphasized the potential for the proposed pods to provide alternative accommodation options during events such as the Night and Day Festival, a growing family-friendly music event supported by the local council.
“There is a very obvious gap in the accommodation market in the north of the county so a proposal like yours is very welcome and I would be very supportive of it,” she wrote.
Gillian McGarry, EU Just Transition Fund Tourism Activator for the council, also expressed her support, calling it “another accommodation solution in an area which was in need of high-quality accommodation.”
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality industry, the project highlights continued demand for unique, self-contained accommodations in rural and nature-rich destinations.
The emphasis on aligning design with the landscape, offering year-round availability, and serving both adventure-seeking tourists and event attendees suggests a potential model for rural tourism growth.
With the decision from county planners expected by August 5, the proposal could signal future opportunities for similar developments in underserved regional markets.