New luxury glamping site to open on grounds of Killarney Racecourse

The 15-unit site will offer family and accessible glamping options

Linda and Mike O'Sullivan of Killarney Glamping with daughters Esme, Fiadh, and Lauren at one of the glamping pods. Picture: Domnick Walsh

A new luxury glamping site is under construction on the grounds of Killarney Racecourse, with the first five units to be ready by the end of the year. 

Linda and Mike O'Sullivan are launching their new Killarney Glamping site on the Ross Road in the town, their second site for the accommodation business. Killarney Glaming was founded in 2012 with their first site in Ballycasheen, Killarney Glamping at The Grove. 

The O'Sullivans have grown their business from one bell tent on land near the family home into an award-winning, year-round destination. Their latest venture will see five units open by the end of the year, with a full launch of all 15 scheduled for April 2026. 

 “We are thrilled to be able to deliver quality and affordable family accommodation in Killarney as family glamping is really taking off. We have reached full potential at our existing site and we know this project will benefit the region, adding further diversity to the accommodation product in Killarney,” Linda said.  

Linda previously worked in sales and marketing for well-known hoteliers Randles, while Mike, who has a degree in business, worked in Liebherr until the glamping became their full-time role in 2019. The occupancy rate for their glamping has been above 90% in summer and above 80% the last two Septembers.

"The demand is definitely there and thankfully it's not displacing other accommodation demands," said Linda. "We hve certainly benefitted too from inbound flights from Cork Airport and Kerry Airport from Germany, and an additional route into Kerry from France this year."

Their latest project has been supported by Fáilte Ireland, LEADER programme funding through South Kerry Development Partnership, and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce. 

Killarney Glamping will now increase staffing from seven people to 12. 

The new site on the Ross Road will offer family-friendly glamping options with some of the lodges including open plan living/kitchenette area, large bathroom and two bedrooms. The new location will also feature a fully accessible glamping unit.  

Each unit has been built by local tradespeople and using as much locally sourced and sustainable materials as possible, including reclaimed flooring from a Kilkenny basketball court and a Cork badminton court. "It came from a badminton court in a hall in Little Island. It has its second life as wall cladding," said Linda. "It has been sanded back so you wouldn't know what it was used for originally. We have left a few stripes on the basketball court as a nod to its former use."

The project has been supported by Fáilte Ireland, LEADER programme  funding through South Kerry Development Partnership, and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, recognising the value of sustainable, experience-led accommodation in strengthening Killarney’s tourism offering.

Linda O’Sullivan, owner of Killarney Glamping said: “We’re so grateful to Killarney Racecourse Company, Fáilte Ireland, LEADER, and the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce too for their support in making it happen."