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School Tours / Residential Schools
Residential school trip at Ballyhass bunkhouse village
 
Residential School Trips

The bigger Ballyhass school trip with more time, more atmosphere and more shared memories.

For schools that want more than a one-day outing, Ballyhass residential trips bring together adventure activities, evening atmosphere, bunkhouse accommodation and full overnight support in one joined-up experience. This is where the trip starts to feel like a proper away stay.

Plan Your School Trip See Residential Packages
  • 1 day / 1 night, 2 day / 1 night and 3 day / 2 night formats
  • Bunkhouse accommodation, meals and activities built in
  • Full overnight supervision by Ballyhass staff
  • Great fit for schools wanting a more substantial trip
Why schools choose residential

This is the Ballyhass trip that feels properly bigger.

Residential school trips give groups more time together, more activity value, more evening atmosphere and a much stronger shared memory than a standard day trip. For teachers, the overnight piece is supported too.

  • From €145 pp for 1 full day / 1 night
  • Accommodation, meals and supervision built in
  • Best dates should be booked 1 year or more ahead
  • Ideal for bigger group goals and stronger bonding
01Packages 02Accommodation 03Supervision 04Gaisce 05Images 06School Feedback 07When to Book 08Plan Your Trip
Trusted by schools

A bigger trip format for schools that want more than a day out.

Ballyhass residential trips work because they combine activity variety, evening atmosphere, on-site accommodation and strong supervision in one joined-up format. For the right group, that makes the trip feel far more substantial.

More time togetherA stronger shared experience than a bus-in, bus-out day
More built inAccommodation, meals, activities and supervision in one format
More supportTeacher reassurance is stronger because Ballyhass stays involved overnight
More atmosphereCampfire, evening energy and staying on site change the feel completely
Residential packages

Choose the package that matches your group size, ambition and budget.

Ballyhass offers residential formats for schools that want the overnight feel, more activity value and a bigger overall experience.

Best short residential intro

1 Full Day, 1 Night

Minimum 20 people 24-hour package Average 7 activities
€145
per person
€125 pp off-peak · November to March

A strong first-step residential package for schools that want the overnight feel, evening atmosphere and bunkhouse stay without jumping straight into a longer trip.

  • Shared bunkhouse accommodation included
  • 3 meals included
  • Evening activities including floodlit lake
  • Communal evening spaces, with campfire use agreed as part of the residential programme
  • Full-time Ballyhass supervision throughout the stay
  • Private leader room support on site
Enquire About This Package
Best all-round residential option

2 Days, 1 Night

Minimum 20 people 2-day package Average 11 activities
€175
per person
€150 pp off-peak · November to March

The best all-round Ballyhass residential option for schools that want the stay to feel substantial, well paced and worth the extra planning.

  • Shared bunkhouse accommodation included
  • 3 meals included
  • More activity time across day and evening
  • Communal evening spaces, with campfire use agreed as part of the residential programme
  • Full-time Ballyhass supervision throughout the stay
  • Private leader room support on site
Enquire About This Package
Full residential experience

3 Days, 2 Nights

Minimum 20 people 3-day package Average 18 activities
€270
per person

The fullest Ballyhass residential format for schools that want a properly immersive trip with more time on site, more activities and a stronger shared memory.

  • Shared bunkhouse accommodation included
  • Meals included across the full package
  • More time together, more evening atmosphere
  • Communal evening spaces, with campfire use agreed as part of the residential programme
  • Full-time Ballyhass supervision throughout the stay
  • Private leader room support on site
Enquire About This Package
Gaisce / challenge-led groups

Gaisce Residential Option

Approved Partner Older Groups Challenge Led
Plan
with Ballyhass

For schools, youth groups and older students planning Gaisce-style challenge experiences, Ballyhass can support a more adventurous, structured and residential-led route.

  • Ballyhass is a Gaisce Challenge Partner
  • Strong fit for older groups and challenge-led journeys
  • Residential base with activity and support built in
  • Useful next step for schools comparing standard trips with something more developmental
  • Can be shaped around group goals and timing
Enquire About Gaisce
Accommodation

Bunkhouse accommodation that works well for school groups.

The Bunkhouse Village is built for group stays, with capacity for around 100 guests, including leaders and accessible pods. It gives schools a practical overnight base with shared facilities, group atmosphere and adventure right on the doorstep.

How the rooms are set up

School groups stay in bunkhouse-style accommodation designed for shared group experiences rather than hotel-style stays.

4 to 6 SharingPods with 2 x 3-person bunkbeds. Good for shared group stays and year-group formats.
2 to 3 SharingSmaller pod options with a double bed and single bed.
Group BaseShared chill-out areas help the stay feel social, joined up and suited to school groups.
Year-RoundAvailable for group bookings across weekdays and weekends throughout the year.

What is included in the bunkhouse setup

The accommodation is practical, group-friendly and designed to make overnight stays easier to manage for schools and organisers.

IncludedHeating and private parking.
Shared AreasCommunal chill-out area, shared shower and shared bathroom.
FacilitiesKitchen, cooker / hob, microwave, kettle and fridge.
BringStudents should bring their own bedding, including sleeping bags and pillow cases.
Overnight supervision

A major reassurance point for teachers and organisers.

Residential trips bring a different set of questions than day trips. One of the biggest is overnight responsibility.

What this means for teachers

School residentials at Ballyhass include dedicated overnight supervision. Two Ballyhass staff members are on overnight duty, with one awake and carrying out regular patrols.

Full CoverOvernight supervision is handled by Ballyhass staff.
Teacher ReliefOur team manages routine overnight supervision, so accompanying teachers do not need to remain awake throughout the night.
Teachers’ RoleTeachers and group leaders retain responsibility for their pupils and are available if our team needs to involve them. The arrangements are agreed with each school before the visit.

Why this matters so much

For many organisers, overnight supervision is one of the biggest barriers to committing to a residential trip. Ballyhass can turn that into one of its strongest advantages.

Less PressureTeachers are not carrying the same overnight burden alone.
More SupportThe Ballyhass team stays closely involved right through the stay.
Better ChoiceThat can make Ballyhass easier to choose than more lightly supported alternatives.
Gaisce

A stronger route for challenge-led and Gaisce-style groups.

Ballyhass is a Gaisce Challenge Partner, an option for schools and older groups looking for something more developmental, challenge-led and goal-based than a standard trip.

Why Ballyhass fits Gaisce groups

For schools and youth groups planning around Gaisce, Ballyhass can offer a residential base, adventure setting and a strong support structure around the wider experience.

ApprovedBallyhass is listed by Gaisce as a Challenge Partner.
Challenge LedA strong fit for older students and groups looking for something more earned.
Residential BaseAccommodation, activities and support can all be part of the wider journey.
Useful Next StepGreat option for schools comparing standard tours with more developmental trip formats.
Aerial view of Ballyhass for Gaisce and challenge-led school groups

A strong environment for challenge-led groups. The setting, scale and activity mix help Ballyhass feel like more than just another school-trip venue.

Ballyhass aerial image for older group and Gaisce trips

Built for bigger experiences. The sense of scale that matters for older groups and residential trips.

Gaisce Challenge Partner Ballyhass image

Gaisce Challenge Partner. For schools and organisers planning around Gaisce pathways.

School feedback

Schools come back for the bigger Ballyhass trip.

The strongest residential proof is repeat-school confidence. Overnight trips ask more from organisers, so repeat bookings matter even more here.

“

We had an amazing time on both trips. The kids are all on a high after returning.

Serena Berry Teacher, Salesian Secondary College
“

Thank you for your welcome. We had a great day. And yes, despite the weather, we made the most of it.

Armelle Mangan Teacher, Salesian Secondary College
When to book

Residential dates tighten earlier than many organisers expect.

If Ballyhass residential is the right fit for your school, the most in-demand periods should be treated as early-booking dates rather than last-minute opportunities.

Residential bookings
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Sep
Oct
Residential School Trips Use this as a planning guide for when preferred overnight dates are most likely to tighten.
Forward plan
Forward plan
Forward plan
Medium pressure
Book 1 year+ ahead
Longer-lead planning
Book 1 year+ ahead
Book 1 year+ ahead
High priority booking period Dates starting to tighten Good forward-planning window

Best guide: residential school trips in May, September and October should ideally be booked 1 year or more in advance. April should also be treated as a medium-pressure period where earlier planning still gives better choice.

Ready to take the next step?

Make the next move easy from wherever you are in the journey.

Still deciding between the day-trip route and the fuller residential format? Start with the enquiry page. Already know residential is the right fit? Move into planning and get practical about dates and numbers.

Ready to enquire?

Tell the Ballyhass team about your group, preferred timing and which residential format you are considering.

Plan Your School Trip

Still comparing options?

For schools still weighing up the stronger day-trip route against the bigger overnight experience, the secondary page is the best next step.

View Secondary Schools

Ready to plan the bigger Ballyhass school trip?

Compare the current residential package options, understand how the accommodation works and then let the Ballyhass team help shape the right overnight trip for your group.

Plan Your School Trip Back to Schools Hub