Luscious, off-grid lakeside retreats and a strawbale lodge, mesmerisingly secluded amongst 90 acres of diverse, wild, and unspoilt landscapes on the Wild Atlantic Way.
  • Sleeps: 2-4 per unit
  • Bedrooms: Open plan
  • Bathrooms: Communal
  • Minimum stay: 2 nights

Just 20 minutes from Donegal Town, yet with the soul-soothing feeling of another world entirely, Lough Mardal Lodge Glamping offers the ultimate in natural, off-the-beaten-track escapes.

Comprising 90 acres of vast, sweeping landscapes, the scenery here really is incredible; a wondrous mixture of lush wildflower meadows, mossy bogland, and heather-covered hills, with shimmering lake shorelines, and views of towering mountain ranges.  

Of course, your accommodation has to be worthy of such a nature-lover’s paradise… and happily, it is. Here you’ll discover five family-friendly Skydome yurts, and a romantic shepherd’s hut, all soothingly off-grid, rich in enchanting natural views, and furnished for extreme comfort.

Each insulated yurt sleeps two adults on a downy superking bed, and two optional singles for the kids. There’s also a ridiculously comfy seating area, and plenty of softness from Donegal tweed woollen blankets and warming sheepskins.

Meanwhile, the cosy shepherd’s hut comes equipped with a soft-glowing woodburning stove to warm your evenings, a kingsize bed dressed in crisp white linen, and a tranquil porch that showcases that lakeside scenery to perfection.

What about facilities, you may ask? These are more than covered by the Lodge, a magnificent, green-roofed communal space created from strawbales, lime, and cob. Here you’ll discover a fully equipped self-catering kitchen and a sociable dining area, along with clean toilets, and piping hot showers to freshen up in.

The jewel in the Lodge’s crown, however, is the magnificent Reciprocal Room. A large, light-filled lounge with spiralling overhead beams, you can sit back and get lost between the pages of a good book, chat with new friends over coffee, or absorb those spectacular scenes of forest, lake, and mountain.

Keep reading

At a glance

  • A scenic, naturally diverse 90-acre glamping site on the Wild Atlantic Way, 20 minutes from Donegal Town, perfect for family breaks or a romantic couples getaway.
  • Off-grid accommodation comprises five Skydome yurts (2-4 guests) and one romantic shepherd’s hut (2 guests), all boasting epic forest, lake, and mountain scenery.
  • Excellent sustainability practices and eco-credentials.
  • Self-catering facilities, toilets, and showers can be found in The Lodge, a strawbale building that’s also home to the spectacular Reciprocal Room, a gadget-free communal lounge.
  • Explore the site’s 90 acres at your leisure, spend a day at the beach, or head into Donegal Town for sightseeing and activities.

Features

  • Disability Accessible
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Off-Grid

Facilities

Off-grid yurt and shepherd’s hut accommodation, sleeps 2-4 guests.

5 x yurts (2-4 guests per yurt): luxury 5-star grade superkingsize bed, 2 optional single beds, wood-burning stove with firewood, clear dome skylight, bedding and blankets, sheepskins, towels, rechargeable lanterns, outdoor private decking with seating.

Shepherd’s hut (2 guests): luxury 5-star grade kingsize bed, wood-burning stove with firewood, bedding and blankets, sheepskins, towels, rechargeable lanterns, outdoor private porch with seating.

Communal Lodge with kitchen/dining facilities, gadget-free lounge, lockers, toilets, wet room showers (no communal changing rooms).

All accommodation: secure locker, allocated storage and fridge space in the kitchen, personal supply of plates, bowls, mugs, and cutlery.

Local Activities

Walking, hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, watersports, fishing, cruises, beaches, hill walking, hilking, wild swimming. Surfing and horse-riding sessions with local schools can be purchased at time of booking.

Accommodation Options

Skydome Yurt

More information

(The Reciprocal Room is gadget-free, so there won’t be any loud phone conversations, YouTube videos, or game noises in the background to ruin the atmosphere!)

What you do next is completely up to you. With all 90 acres of the surrounding area at your disposal, you can spend an entire day creating your own windswept adventures, without having to leave the confines of the site.  

Let the kids run wild and free, or take an energising hike up the hill, where you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping panoramic views that take in Donegal Bay, and the Bluestack mountain ranges.

You’ll also find some of Ireland’s most beautiful blue-flag beaches within a short drive, and there’s a wealth of activity to be found close by, including a Donegal Town cruise around the bay – perfect for viewing the seal colony on Seal Island.

Whether you choose to end another day with a private glass of wine at your sumptuous accommodation, or chatting the evening away by The Lodge’s huge fireplace, it’s sure to be magical.

Things to note

One yurt is wheelchair accessible, and can be hooked up to electricity if needed. There is a limited number of pet-friendly yurts, for a small additional fee if bringing your dog. Pets are not permitted in the shepherd’s hut. All accommodation is off-grid, however guests are assigned a secure locker in the Lodge, where mobile devices can be recharged, and there is dedicated space in the Lobby where they can be used if needed.

Where you'll be staying

Ballintra, County Donegal

What the guests of Lough Mardal Lodge Glamping say

“Fabulous, beautiful and welcoming. Glamping at its best.”

“One of the hardest places I’ve ever had to leave. Amazing!!”

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