My Family Camping Adventure at Share Discovery Village, County Fermanagh: Why We’ll Be Back

By Catherine Keaney (Cat), Marketing Manager at Share Discovery Village

Looking for a family camping holiday in Northern Ireland? This summer, I swapped my marketing role at Share Discovery Village for a one-night camping adventure with my children. Here’s what we got up to and why I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an easy, fun and affordable family break in County Fermanagh.

After working at Share Discovery Village for more than 15 years, I finally did something I’d always wanted to do — I booked myself in as a guest.

My journey at Share has taken a few twists and turns. I first arrived as a trainee instructor, spending around five years working with groups in kayaking, canoeing and outdoor activities. After a few injuries, I returned to my original career in marketing, where I’ve been ever since.

During the spring and summer months, I’d often walk past the campsite, watch families laughing on the Water Park, see children paddling canoes on Lough Erne or enjoying ice creams in the sunshine. I was always helping other people plan their holidays and adventures, and I often found myself thinking, “I want to be one of them.”

This summer, I finally made it happen.

A Mini Adventure with the kids

Because I work part-time, fitting in a longer break wasn’t easy, so my children, and I decided on a one-night camping trip.

It may only have been one night, but it felt like a proper little holiday.

Before arriving at Share, we stopped at one of our favourite places — Crom Estate. We cycled the woodland trails and, of course, made our compulsory stop to climb the famous ancient yew trees. It’s become a family tradition and one we never miss.

Arriving at Share felt strangely different. Instead of heading into the office, I was checking in for a holiday.

We pitched our tent in a quiet corner of the campsite beside the old go-kart track, which quickly became the children’s own cycling circuit.

After dinner, we explored wandering around the glamping pods and chalets, visited both play parks and had a look around the woodland where groups enjoy Combat Corps. Naturally, we couldn’t finish the evening without treating ourselves to a Mauds ice cream from the Leisure Suite.

One thing that really stood out to me was how relaxed the campsite felt. Seeing families sitting outside their tents, children riding bikes and the security team chatting with campers created a lovely atmosphere that made everyone feel welcome.

Taking on the Water Park

The next morning brought the activity I’d been quietly worrying about…

The Water Park!

If I’m honest, I wasn’t convinced I was still fit enough for it. It’s been a few years since I was instructing every day, and I wondered if I’d spend more time in the water than on the inflatables.

The kids, however, had absolutely no doubts.

I’m so glad they persuaded me.

It was brilliant fun.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to climb back onto the inflatables after falling in (which happened a few times!). The instructors kept everyone smiling, encouraged the children throughout the session and had music playing, giving it a real holiday atmosphere.

It wasn’t about being the fastest or the fittest — it was simply about having fun together.

We Weren’t Ready to Go Home

After the Water Park, we headed back to camp, cooked a fry-up with some sausages and packed away the tent.

None of us wanted to leave.

So instead of heading home, we wandered back to the waterfront and hired a canoe. I’d been thinking about taking the children on a longer canoe trip around Lough Erne later this summer, so this was the perfect opportunity to see how we’d get on.

Thankfully, we did just fine! There was plenty of laughter, a little questionable steering and lots of happy memories.

To finish our mini break, we joined another family staying at Share for some jetty jumping. Within minutes, the children were encouraging each other to jump into the lake, and before long everyone was laughing together.

It was the perfect way to end our stay.

Why I’d Recommend Camping at Share

What surprised me most wasn’t just the activities — it was how easy the whole experience was.

Camping can sometimes feel like hard work, but staying at Share makes it so much simpler.

During July and August, the Village Café is open daily, so if you don’t fancy cooking every meal, you can grab breakfast, lunch, coffee or an ice cream without leaving the site. Lisnaskea is only a few minutes away if you fancy a takeaway one evening.

I even had a rainy-day plan ready. If the weather had changed, we would simply have headed over to the swimming pool. It felt so much easier than packing everyone into the car and searching for something to do.

If camping isn’t your thing, Share also has cosy glamping pods and self-catering chalets, so there really is something for everyone.

One of the best things during the summer is the family activity programme. Children aged 8 and over can even take part in some instructor-led activities themselves, giving parents the chance to enjoy a coffee, take a walk along the waterfront or simply relax for an hour.

We’ll Definitely Be Back

After spending so many years helping other people enjoy Share Discovery Village, it was wonderful to finally experience it through my children’s eyes.

Our one-night stay gave us exactly what we needed — fresh air, adventure, quality family time and a chance to slow down.

As we drove home, the kids were already asking when we could come back.

I smiled because I was wondering exactly the same thing.

Whether you’re trying camping for the first time, looking for a fun family weekend away or planning your next summer adventure, I’d definitely recommend giving Share Discovery Village a try. Sometimes you don’t have to travel far to make memories that last a lifetime.

Ready to plan your own adventure? Explore camping, glamping, chalets and family activities at Share Discovery Village and discover why so many families return year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Share Discovery Village suitable for first-time campers?

Absolutely! With on-site facilities, a café during July and August, a swimming pool and plenty of family activities, it’s a great place to try camping for the first time.

What family activities are available?

Families can enjoy the Water Park, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, cycling, play parks, woodland walks and much more.

Do I have to stay overnight to take part in activities?

No. Many of Share’s activities can also be booked as individual sessions, making it ideal for day visitors too.

What accommodation is available?

Choose from camping, glamping pods, self-catering chalets or accessible accommodation, depending on the type of break you’re looking for.

Ready to make memories?

For more information about the activities  & accommodation options at Share  visit www.sharevillage.org  or email bookings@sharevillage.org

Share Discovery Village is a charity and to help support us in our Vision of A society where everyone can unlock their potential you can donate online here

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If you enjoyed this article, and are considering coming to visit us at Share Discovery Village and would like to stay for several days – we have a wide range of accommodation on offer which you can read about here.