Two luxury Laois glamping sites to share €550,000

TWO luxurious Laois glamping sites are to share €550,000 in funding for sustainable tourism.

Upmarket eco glamping huts will be developed at one of the sites, while the second will receive funding for idyllic rural cabins and horse-drawn wagons.

Emo Court Glamping and Making Tracks in Ballybrophy were awarded substantial grants under Fáilte Ireland’s Private and Community SME Scheme, which is part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme.

They are among 17 tourism projects nationwide awarded a total of €2.9m in funding announced on 18 February.

Emo Court Glamping will receive €300,000 for luxury eco glamping huts, including a wheelchair accessible hut.

The Emo Court venture has planning permission for three standalone pod units at the Gate Lodge, which is available to let on Airbnb.

The pods, which consist of two two-bed units and one single disabled access unit, aim to enhance the area as a tourist attraction. Emo Court is consistently the most popular tourist destination in the county.

The second grant of €250,000 will go to Making Tracks, whose colourful cabins and traditional horse-drawn wagons are based at Ballybrophy House.

According to its website, Making Tracks offers ‘a unique opportunity to experience the outdoors in the midlands of Ireland, with all the comforts of home. We provide cabin stays and horse-drawn wagons, allowing you to explore the area in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere’.

Both Laois projects were selected in category two of the investment scheme, which is aimed at the development of sustainable tourism.

Fáilte Ireland said: ‘It marks the first announcement of successful projects under the Private and Community SME scheme, which closed on 13 January 2025 after receiving 170 applications.’ 

The 17 projects represent the first to have signed Investment Grant Agreements with Fáilte Ireland, with more projects expected to be announced on a rolling basis in coming weeks and months, as evaluations of applications are completed.