So, I’d been itching for a proper break, you know? Something a bit different from the usual hotel scene. And I kept seeing these cool pictures of domes popping up online, especially in scenic spots. “Domes Northern Ireland” became my go-to search term for a few evenings.
My Quest for a Dome Getaway
Honestly, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole at first. Typed in “glamping northern ireland” and wow, so many options. I saw names like Oakwood Glamping near the Mourne Mountains, which sounded amazing, and then things like Finn Lough with their lakeside villas – very fancy, but I was really set on the whole dome experience. My partner and I, we really wanted that clear roof, if possible, for stargazing. That was the dream.
We spent a good while just scrolling through pictures, trying to figure out what was what. Some places called them pods, others domes. I remember seeing Greenview Glamping Pods and Coolaness Glamping, and a few others like Glens Glamping. It was a lot to take in. We weren’t after anything super complicated, just a nice, cozy dome with a good view, hopefully not too far from a decent walk.
Eventually, we stumbled upon this smaller place – I won’t name names, keep it a bit mysterious, eh? But it looked promising. The pictures showed a pretty spacious dome, a little deck area, and crucially, it seemed to be in a fairly secluded spot. The booking was surprisingly straightforward, all done online with a couple of clicks. Sent off the deposit and got the confirmation email pretty quick. So far, so good.
The Actual Trip and Dome Life
The drive there was lovely. Northern Ireland really does deliver on the green scenery, doesn’t it? We trundled down some windy country roads, relying heavily on the GPS, and finally found the turn-off. It was a bit more off the beaten track than I initially thought, which was a bonus!
First sight of our dome – pretty cool! It was nestled amongst some trees, looking just like the photos. We met the owner, got the keys, and then it was time to explore our little bubble for the next few days. Inside, it was surprisingly roomy. There was a proper double bed, a small kitchenette area with a mini-fridge and a kettle (essential!), and a little log burner, which I was very excited about.
- The bed was comfy, thank goodness.
- The little bathroom was compact but did the job.
- And yes, a big clear panel in the roof! Star-gazing mission: ON.
We spent the first evening just settling in, getting the fire going. It made the dome super toasty. It’s a funny feeling, being inside a structure like that. You feel connected to the outside because of the shape and the big window, but still snug and protected. We cooked a simple dinner and just chilled out.
The next day, we went for a long walk in the nearby hills. The views were stunning. Coming back to the dome in the late afternoon, a bit tired and windswept, felt amazing. We’d brought some board games, made endless cups of tea. And at night? Well, the stargazing was a bit hit-and-miss because of the good old Irish clouds, but we did get a few clear spells. Lying in bed, looking up at the stars through the dome roof – yeah, that was special. It’s definitely a different vibe to a normal cottage or hotel room.
Overall thoughts? I’d totally do it again. It wasn’t super luxurious like some of those high-end glamping sites you see advertised everywhere, but it was exactly what we wanted. A unique, cozy base to explore from, and a bit of an adventure. If you’re thinking about trying a dome in Northern Ireland, I’d say go for it. Just do a bit of research to find one that suits your style. We definitely found our little piece of quiet.
