Cash boost for two Laois glamping sites awarded a total of €550,000 by Fáilte Ireland

A luxury glamping site and a horse-drawn wagon and glamorous camping destination in Laois have secured funding of €550,000.  

The Laois tourist destinations were among 17 tourist projects who were awarded a total of €2.9million investment under Fáilte Ireland’s Private and Community SME Scheme which is part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme.

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

The largest Laois beneficiary was Emo Court Glamping which secured a total of €300,000 for the delivery of luxury eco glamping huts, including a wheelchair accessible hut.

Planning permission was granted for three standalone pod units at the Gate Lodge, which is available to let on Airbnb, at Emo Court last October.  

Documents submitted with the application for additional accommodation on the site in the centre of Emo village, stated that it will enhance the tourist attraction of the area. The plans, which were approved subject to 13 conditions, were to build three standalone pod units on the site consisting of two two bed units and one single, disabled access unit. 

The second grant of €250,000 to a Laois based operation was allocated to Making Tracks which is based at Ballybrophy House. 

According to their 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.” 

Fáilte Ireland said the projects are being funded under its Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs. Part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, it marks the first announcement of successful projects under the Private and Community SME scheme, which closed on January 13, 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 the coming weeks and months, as evaluations of applications are completed.   

Projects span four regenerative tourism development categories, including the Development or Enhancement of Sustainable Visitor Experiences; Development of Sustainable/Low Carbon Tourist Accommodation; Capital Project Planning and Design; and Accessibility enhancements to provide a more inclusive visitor experience. 

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said: “When Fáilte Ireland launched this scheme in August 2023, our aim was to create new opportunities for local communities and businesses across the midlands – and today’s announcement is a huge milestone in this journey. 

These 17 projects will provide innovative and sustainable visitor experiences and develop low-carbon tourist accommodation, and I look forward to further announcements of successful projects in the coming weeks and months, as we continue to evaluate the significant number of applications we received.”

Mr Kelly said initiatives like the EU Just Transition Fund are essential for generating new opportunities for employment and sustaining local communities by creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East. 

“We also look forward to further collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) and our strategic partners to deliver a wide range of projects under the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme over the next year and a half,” he added.  

Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Clare Bannon said that as the Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, the EMRA welcomed the announcement of these private and community SME projects. 

“There has been significant interest in the Private and Community SME scheme, with a high volume of applications received. Fully completed applications are being evaluated in the order of receipt. Fáilte Ireland will communicate with applicants once their application has been evaluated.”