Nestled in the heart of County Leitrim, Ireland, Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway has quickly become one of the country’s most distinctive examples of sustainable, experience-led tourism.
Set across 100 acres of ancient oak woodland overlooking the River Shannon and the Shannon Blueway, the development combines luxury, craftsmanship, and environmental sensitivity to create a destination that feels both restorative and deeply connected to nature.
The project’s success owes much to the vision of its founders and to the meticulous design and construction collaboration that brought it to life, including the use of Kalzip Foldables Ultra Dark, a system chosen for its natural aesthetic, proven durability, and technical versatility.
The idea for Drumhierny was born from the personal experiences of co-owner Karl Moffat, whose years of travel inspired him to reimagine what rural hospitality could mean in his home community. After acquiring the long-neglected estate with his family and local partners, the team cleared and restored the grounds to reveal a blank canvas of woodland and meadow. Their ambition was clear: to create a luxurious yet sustainable glamping retreat that would bring something truly unique to Leitrim Village, a small rural community in Ireland’s northwest.
Architecturally, the lodges and shared spaces were designed to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, achieving a visual language that feels timeless and site-specific.
Francis Davitt, of Davitt Plan and Design, said: “From the start, it was important to us that the design would blend sympathetically with the stillness and natural beauty of the surroundings. At the same time, we wanted each building to have a striking appearance, something memorable that would leave a lasting impression.”
Achieving that delicate balance required a building envelope that could evoke the character of handcrafted materials while also withstanding Ireland’s challenging western climate, where rainfall can be nearly double that of the east coast.
The project team turned to Kalzip, whose foldable aluminium systems offered the perfect fusion of aesthetic authenticity and long-term performance. Kalzip Foldables Ultra Dark was selected for all the habitat lodges, its rich, zinc-like patina lending a natural, weathered appearance that harmonises with the forest setting. The finish provides a subdued yet sophisticated depth of tone, echoing the earthy palette of the woodland while offering outstanding resistance to corrosion, UV radiation, and moisture. The product’s ability to emulate the character of traditional metal craftsmanship, while maintaining the precision and durability of modern aluminium technology, made it ideal for Drumhierny’s distinctive A-frame lodge design.
Trevor Smyth, National Sales Manager at Kalzip, said: “The project needed materials that combined natural aesthetics with long-term reliability, and the foldable range was ideal. It offered the handcrafted look the architect wanted, along with the proven durability of aluminium. It also allowed us to achieve the distinctive A-frame designs with precision, which was particularly important for the offsite construction process.”
Working in close coordination, the Kalzip technical team collaborated with QBM, Frame Space, and the installation crews to ensure that every detail of the envelope met the project’s high design and quality standards.
Dave Fitzpatrick, Director at QBM said: “One of our biggest challenges was transporting the panels, but we overcame that by profiling them at the Frame Space factory before delivery. This streamlined the process and sped up installation on site.”
Weekly site meetings brought together the architects, Kalzip specialists, and installation teams to maintain rigorous quality control, ensuring that each phase of the project was delivered with the same consistency and care that defines the final result.
Beyond its architectural accomplishment, Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway is a model of environmental stewardship. Sustainability is treated not as a marketing theme but as a lived, evolving commitment. The estate’s operations are guided by a comprehensive environmental management strategy encompassing renewable energy use, water conservation, waste reduction, and circular material principles.
The selection of Kalzip Foldables Ultra Dark reflects this ethos of sustainability. Produced from fully recyclable aluminium, the material embodies the principles of circular construction, lightweight, durable, and infinitely reusable without loss of quality. Its long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements help to reduce lifecycle costs and environmental impact, aligning perfectly with Drumhierny’s aim to operate as a low-impact tourism enterprise. The system’s versatility also allows for adaptation across future development phases, supporting the estate’s ambition to continue growing responsibly and creatively.
Since opening, Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway has attracted over 60,000 visitors from Ireland and abroad, a remarkable achievement for a family-run project in rural Leitrim.
Karl Moffat, of Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, said: “When you step back and look at it all, it’s a major achievement. We’re proud of what’s been created here and of the number of visitors it’s brought to Leitrim Village. It’s something we’re very proud of, a project that brought together our family, the full design team, and so many dedicated people. Looking at it now, we couldn’t be happier with what we’ve achieved together.”
With its fusion of craftsmanship, sustainability, and community purpose, Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway stands as a testament to what can be achieved when architectural ambition meets environmental integrity.
