Balance Treehouse: A Luxury Treehouse in the Ring of Gullion

Balance Treehouse isn’t messing around with the whole ‘treehouse’ thing. You actually have to cross a rope bridge to get in.

Waiting on the other side is a handcrafted hideaway for two sitting high amongst the trees on Tievecrom Mountain, overlooking the hills and stone-walled fields of the Ring of Gullion.

And the rope bridge is really only the start of it. There’s a private hot tub, an outdoor net suspended amongst the trees, a shower built for two and a super-king bed beneath a glass roof for stargazing.

First, you have to cross the rope bridge…

There’s something undeniably fun about arriving at your accommodation and discovering that the front door is on the other side of a rope bridge.

Cross it and you’ll find Balance sitting amongst the treetops, with views across the surrounding countryside towards the Ring of Gullion.

The setting is a big part of the appeal here. You’re on Tievecrom Mountain, looking across the ring dyke with Slieve Gullion sitting at its centre.

It feels wonderfully removed from normal life, which is presumably the whole point of running away to a treehouse in the first place.

Inside is a different story

You could look at the rustic timber exterior and assume things are going to be fairly basic inside.

They’re not. The centrepiece is a super-king bed beneath a glass roof, so you can lie back at night and look straight up at the sky.

There’s also a kitchen, Wi-Fi and a wood-burning fireplace, along with plenty of modern comforts. In fact, many of the features inside can be controlled using voice commands.

Rope bridge outside. Voice controls inside. That’s quite the combination.

Then you discover what’s outside…

This is where Balance really earns its place amongst the more unusual places to stay in Northern Ireland.

There’s a private hot tub tucked outside amongst the trees along with a large net-style hammock where you can stretch out above the ground. Then there’s the outdoor shower.

And this isn’t a little hose attached to the side of the cabin. It’s an outdoor shower built for two, so you can shower amongst the trees while looking out over the surrounding countryside.

A treehouse made for two

Balance sleeps just two people, so this is very much geared towards a couples getaway.

You could spend the day exploring the Ring of Gullion, but I’d have a hard time walking past the hot tub to get back across that rope bridge.

There’s the fire inside, the hot tub outside, the hammock amongst the trees and that glass roof waiting when it’s eventually time for bed.

All that’s left is to hope for a clear night and see how long you can stay awake staring through the roof. See more here.

Discover more unique places to stay

The stays above are just a handful of the wonderfully weird places you can spend a night around Ireland.

You’ll find plenty more in my guide to the most unique stays in Ireland, along with everything from treehouses and cabins to bell tents in my guide to the best places to go glamping in Ireland.

1. The Tranquil Tigín

You have to walk 300 metres across a meadow to reach this tiny off-grid cabin in the Wicklow Mountains.

It sleeps 2 and comes with a mezzanine king bed, enormous countryside-facing window, copper outdoor bath and fire pit, with a wood-fired sauna a short stroll away.

2. Grove Treehouse with hot tub

This adults-only West Cork treehouse sleeps 2 and comes with a roll-top bath opposite the bed and a private two-person hot tub amongst the trees.

You reach it via tree-trunk steps before stepping inside to an open-plan bedroom, kitchen and living area, with French doors opening onto a large private deck.

3. The Ballybunion Beach House

Breakers Beach House sits right beside Ladies Beach in Ballybunion, with the Atlantic filling the view from the house.

It sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and has Ballybunion’s beaches and Cliff Walk on its doorstep, along with a hot outdoor shower for warming up after a swim or surf.

4. The Hidden Haven

The Hidden Haven is a luxury lodge for 2 in the hills of West Cork with its own lake, a wood-fired hot tub and a deck stretching over the water.

There’s a super king bed and bath with a view inside, while stone steps outside lead straight into the lake when you fancy undoing all the good work of the hot tub.

5. The Dunmanus Bay Barn

This restored stone farmhouse and barn sits on West Cork’s Sheep’s Head Peninsula, looking across Dunmanus Bay towards the Mizen Peninsula.

Along with its old stone walls, timber beams and slate floors, you’ve got more than an acre of grounds, a spring-fed pond and a solar-heated outdoor pool.

6. Dolphin Beach Lodge

Dolphin Beach Lodge sits just metres from the Atlantic on Connemara’s Sky Road, with Clifden Bay outside the windows and a secluded beach directly in front.

The lodge sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and, despite the wonderfully remote-feeling setting, you’re only around a 10-minute drive from Clifden.

7. The Hide at Neadú

With its grass-covered roof and views towards Glenveagh, The Hide at Neadú is one of Donegal’s more unusual little cabins.

Inside you’ll find reclaimed and upcycled pieces, an alcove double bed and wood-burning stove, while double doors open onto a private deck overlooking the surrounding mountains and valley.