To help you enjoy your stay to the full, we have put together this ‘Rock Farm Slane Guest Guide’ – we want you to arrive ready to relax and enjoy this beautiful and tranquil part of Meath.
When to Arrive – Check in
Arriving in the daylight is absolutely essential for our sanity and of course your safety. Our check in time is between 2.00pm and 5.00pm. Please confirm your arrival time with us at time of booking.
If you know in advance that you arrival time will be after 5pm please advise a member of the team at the time of booking so this fee can be applied to your booking in advance. There is a late check in fee of €10 which will be deducted from your Security Deposit for all guests arriving after 5pm.
If you should you be delayed for any reason, please call us on +353 (0)41 988 4861.
What to expect on arrival…
It’s worth mentioning now, so that you have time to plan and prepare, a farm experience is different from a hotel experience! From the moment you enter the grounds of our working farm, drive in through the gates, to loading up the wheel barrow with your luggage and trundling off through the field, it is a unique experience unlike that of a hotel, B&B or even a cottage holiday.
As you drive through the main farm gates into the farmyard you will follow the track all the way up past a small bungalow on your right. Keep driving to the top and following the sign post to Reception/Farm Office. Follow the road around to behind the green shed where the Check in arrivals office is situated. In the interests of health and safety and as a courtesy to other guests we kindly ask you not to drive your car into the fields. Cars may be parked in our designated car park at the risk of the owner. Please do not leave valuables on display and ensure that your vehicle is secure before leaving it. The same goes for not leaving any valuables inside your accommodation. Rock Farm Ecotourism is not responsible for any items lost, stolen or damaged during your stay.
We will welcome and check you in at the farm office, provide you with details of the local area, village amenities and cover off the processing of your security deposits. We will then take you to your accommodation and show you where and how the facilities work.
What to pack…
All linen and towels are included in your stay. Perhaps pack some flip flops and a spare towel if you fancy using our hot tub – so don’t forget your swimming costumes! We will provide you with battery powered lanterns but if you have a head torch or hand held torch if heading out to the village at night time it will be helpful when walking back up the track to your accommodation.
BBQ
If you want to make use of our BBQ facilities – make sure you pack some Charcoal – we have all the BBQ utensils you will need. There is a BBQ area also a wood-burning pizza oven. We also offer a catered BBQ for large groups – pre booking only.
Campfire Fun
We have an outdoor open campfire perfect for toasting some marshmallows. Wood may be gathered from our woodpile. Make sure you pack a jumper for the evening time. Please be safe around fires and ensure children are supervised at all times. Please leave our campfires tidy remembering to take any rubbish with you in keeping with our LEAVE NO TRACE POLICY.
Hot Tub
Our wood-burning hot tub is nestled under the Hawthorn tree, it really is a lovely outdoor experience! We prefer it to be used by responsible adults over the age of 18. Due to the nature of the heat generated we strongly advise children and or pregnant ladies do not use the tub. Please ensure swimming costumes are worn. Please bring outdoor towels from home if using hot tub. There is a charge for accommodation towels if used in this area. Hot Tub towels are available to hire from Farm Office.
Dog Friendly Campsite
As certain times of the year we cannot accept dogs on the farm this is due to game keeper restrictions. Please confirm at time of booking to avoid disappointment. Where dog places are available a fee is charged €20 per dog and must sleep in the car or if you have one in a crate which must situated on the decking area of your accommodation or beside your shepherd hut if staying in one of our caravans.
We regret that dogs are not permitted inside the accommodation or communal spaces and we ask guests to ensure that pets are kept under control at all time and on a lead when in communal spaces.
Remember – Not all guests will be animal lovers and we must respect that some people have fears including small children. All dog poop should be picked up and disposed of in our compost toilets – ensuring the green spaces are clear for all to enjoy.
Footwear
Always pack a pair of wellies or good walking boots. The Glamping site means you will be walking through long grass and wooded areas. Happy guests have happy feet – think weather and think ahead!
Food
BBQ Packs – we can also provide you with BBQ meat packs – priced at €15pp and of course may be cooked on our outdoor BBQ (just don’t forget to pack your charcoal). A Hosted BBQ can also be provided – minimum numbers required (groups of 10+) and must be booked 2 weeks in advance to avoid disappointment. This is charged €35pp includes full catered service.
Pizza Packs – based on 2 twelve inch pizza bases with all fresh ingredients provided these packs are for use on the Wood burning pizza oven at the Lime House. Charged at €20 per pack. A fun way to involve the kids at dinner time is to create their own pizzas, firing up the oven to cook them.
Activities
Kayaking – We also work with Boyne Valley Activities who are able to provide kayaking for guests. Kayaking must be prebooked. Please click here to book.
Yoga & Holistic treatments – Please see our website for a full list of activities and Holistic treatments (massage, facials, Yoga and more).
Important note regarding Angling/Fishing: Fishing is strictly prohibited on any part of the Boyne River without a licence plus you must also have Landowners permission – please contact Fisheries Board of Ireland for details on approved locations and licencing requirement for other approved locations in the County via Meath County Council.
Local Amenities – shops, etc
20 mins walk down the track from the campsite sits the village of Slane. In the village you will find our local bars, shops, craft sellers and restaurants as well as other local amenities – ATM, Post Office etc. The nearest towns to Slane would be Drogheda (15mins drive) and Navan (15mins drive) – here you will gain access to banks and larger supermarkets. Here are some recommended establishments:
Pubs: Boyle’s of Slane, The Village Inn for great service, entertainment and a good Irish Failte!
Restaurants: The Conyngham Arms, The Poet’s Rest or why not go all out for a fine dining experience at Brabazon in Tankardstown House for a special occasion.
Bakery: George’s Patisserie (Main Street)
Butchers: Eddie Coyle Butchers (Main Street)
Take Away: Romano’s Chipper (Main Street – up beside Petrol Station)
Deli: Delicious Distinction
How to Find us?
See Google Maps See our location here
As you approach us from the N2 from Dublin – as you reach the bridge over the River Boyne you will arrive at a set of traffic lights, before you cross (the one way) bridge there is a sharp left turn into a track. Follow this track all the way (you will pass a cream coloured house on your left – keep going) to the bottom gate where you will see a water substation building – turn left here and drive all the way up through the fields, bearing right down towards the Campsite Gates.
As you approach us from N2 from Ardee/Collon – you will pass into the crossroads in Slane and follow the signs for Dublin turning towards the bridge over the River Boyne. Driving through the lights you will cross the bridge – indicators on and be ready for a sharp turn right down a track. Follow this track all the way (you will pass a cream-coloured house on your left – keep going) to the bottom gate where you will see a water substation building – turn left here and drive all the way up through the fields, bearing right down towards the Campsite Gates.
As you approach us from N51 from Navan – you will pass the main gates to Slane Castle on you right. Keep driving until you enter Slane Village. At the traffic lights turn right and head down towards the river Boyne. Driving through the lights you will cross the bridge – indicators on and be ready for a sharp turn right down a track. Follow this track all the way (you will pass a cream-coloured house on your left – keep going) to the bottom gate where you will see a water substation building – turn left here and drive all the way up through the fields, bearing right down towards the Campsite Gates.
Travel Policy
Rock Farm Slane owns a diesel Landrover, soon to be converted to Pure Plant Oil (PPO) which will be used to collect guests from Drogheda train or bus station and Dublin airport, as well as transporting bikes to and from Drogheda station as part of the Irish Rail e-bike tour offer.
Collaboration with Irish Rail – In partnership with Irish Rail we have created a Rail & Ride package that enables guests to pre-book their journey to us by rail, transfer luggage and make their journey onwards to us under their own steam whilst exploring the countryside along the way.
Minimal impact vehicle use – Rock Farm Slane has a minimal impact vehicle use on the farm and on Rock Farm Slane business. We have implemented a maximum speed limit of 10kmh on the farm and have implemented minimum use of the tractor and the farm jeep, favouring wheelbarrows as an alternative method for moving luggage and equipment around the campsite and farm activity areas. Given that walking and cycling are excellent healthy alternatives that Rock Farm Slane offers as activities to visitors and guests.
Le Shack – Our Communal Area
Guests staying at the Swallow’s Nest will be able to use to the kitchen and other cooking areas such as the BBQ area and the wood burning pizza oven at Le Shack.
The Kitchen inside Le Shack is fully serviced with a fridge, gas hob, kettle, toaster, sinks plus we have all the crockery, cutlery, glasses, pots, pans etc – you would find at home. You don’t need to pack these items we have it all for you J
As this is a self-catering communal space we ask guests to be mindful of other guests and keep areas clean after use. This includes washing up on the deck area outside and all used items to be washed and put away after use. There is a broom provided for floors to be swept and tea towels for washing up. We kindly remind guests that any areas left in a poor and requiring additional cleaning may be charged against your security deposit. Please bring any spillages or damage to the attention of the campsite team asap.
Bed Linen & Towels
On arrival each of the beds will be presented made up for you. Each mattress is fitted with a mattress protector and these should be left on the mattresses. Fresh towels are also provided for you. Please be nice and make sure we get them back – Simply leave them on the floor of the accommodation for our housekeepers to collect. There is a replacement charge of €10 per bathsheet and €8 per hand towel not returned. Please bring outdoor towels from home if using the hot tub or hire a hot tub towel from the farm office.
Stoves & Use of Gas Heaters in Accommodation
Please ensure that when using your Wood burning stove that once lit that the door remains closed and flue dials are open/closed when required. Stoves provided are only suitable for wood fuel only. Coal and other processed fuel types may result in irreparable damage to stove and accommodation (not to mention creating some nasty pollutants into the atmosphere). Wood Logs are provided by Rock Farm for use in all wood stoves. All guests using Wood burning stoves are responsible for their own safety and we strongly advise families with small children (who may not be used to being around stoves) that they have VERY HOT SURFACES – please ensure they are supervised around them at all times and that they are NEVER left alone in accommodation.
Gas Heaters
In some cases Gas Heaters may be provided to guests. We ask these are placed in the centre of the room – away from bedding, sheets, blankets etc. We strongly advise parents to ensure that Children are kept away from heaters and never left alone when heater is on.
If you encounter any problems with your stove/heater please advise a member of the team immediately. Under no circumstances are stoves or heater to be covered or items left in close proximity.
REMEMBER – HEATING IN ACCOMMODATION IS THERE TO WARM YOU – NOT HARM YOU,
PLEASE BE CAREFUL
No Smoking
We kindly ask guests who smoke to do so away from communal areas. We ask that cigarette butts are not disposed of on our land. Please use the sand buckets provided and if in doubt please refer to our LEAVE NO TRACE POLICY outlined in Waste Disposal section of this guide.
Toilets & Showers
Our showers are all heated by an individual gas generated boiler and we ask guests to be mindful of water and power conservation. Please do not leave any used towels in this area and remember to dispose of any empty bottles in the designated recycling areas.
Toilets –Guests staying on the glamping site get to experience the eco camping highlight – using our compost toilets. For anyone ‘spending a penny’ or ‘making a deposit’ – we ask that you add two scoops/handfuls of sawdust (provided) down the pan. Instructions on correct use of the compost toilets maybe found inside the loo itself. Staff will regularly inspect facilities. Any issues should be brought to the attention of Campsite management immediately.
Nappies and sanitary items are not to be put into the compost toilets – these may be disposed in the bins beside the toilets or in the wheelie bins behind Le Shack.
Note: regular flushing toilets may be found at the farm office reception or rear of the Lime House building.
Waste Disposal
There are bins are provided in the kitchen area. Each accommodation units has a waste paper bin for dry recyclable waste and a large white plastic bin bag is provided for all non-recyclable rubbish. Please empty your bin regularly into the large wheelie bins BLACK = GENERAL WASTE / GREEN = RECYCLABLE PAPER & PLASTICS / BLUE = GLASS (these are located at the back of the property). Please do not leave rubbish outside the accommodation – just use the bins. No food is to be left in accommodation.
We are strong supports of the LEAVE NO TRACE principles – see here for more info
Important: please do not leave food uncovered, or unsealed and try to keep the floors free from dropped food; this will prevent attracting the local BROWN GRIZZLY BEARS… aka Campsite Management! Think smart and we can keep the wildlife in their space so we can enjoy ours!
Recycling
We have recycling facilities. The BLACK BIN is for general waste which is not recyclable and the GREEN BIN which is for paper, card, and plastic as well as tins and yogurt pots. An area will be provided inside Le Shack for GLASS to be left (Beer bottles, sauce jars etc) – please empty bottles, rinse and remove caps.
The Chiller Box (Ice Box)
The cool box may be provided for you and uses 3-4 ice packs. The large ice packs will need to be swopped during your stay, ask a member of the team for access to our freezers for replacements if required. Please ensure the lid on your chiller is kept closed too – this keeps the chiller chilled J A great way to keep those beverages cool when you are on your deck watching the sun go down!
Noise and Courtesy
Whilst we want you to enjoy your stay with us – we should all afford other guests staying on site courtesy. Violent and aggressive behavior towards other guests and or staff of Rock Farm will not be tolerated. We ask that around 11pm the volume is lowered and noise is kept to a minimum as some guests may be trying to sleep or may have small children staying too. We all need our beauty sleep. Whilst guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol on site we operate ask you to ‘enjoy it sensibly’ and remind guests that they are responsible for their own safety and actions when taking alcohol.
Complaints
Whilst it is our aim to ensure that you have an enjoyable and comfortable stay with us here at Rock Farm – we operate a totally open policy. If at any stage during your stay you encounter a problem please bring the matter to our attention immediately while you are still on site – so we can address it for you. Please see our Terms & Conditions for formal procedure.
Security
All guests are provided with a key on check in. Some accommodation like the Yurts will have a key lock and latch. Please keep this with you at all times – replacement keys will be charged at €10 per key. We secure the farm every evening. And operate CCTV around the farm for security.
Please always shut the farm gates – it helps us keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out J Day visitors are permitted at Rock Farm Slane by prior arrangement with management. Due to guest and campsite security – only named guests are permitted on site.
Check Out procedure
Before leaving your accommodation – we ask guests to kindly remove any cups, glasses, plates etc taken from Le Shack and have these washed up and put back in the kitchen area where you found them. We also request that all rubbish is taken away and placed in the bins inside Le Shack. Likewise any food left in the fridge to be disposed of.
Any keys, towels, lanterns, cooler boxes or other hire items are to be returned in same condition provided. Any items not returned or received damaged will be charged at cost price deducted from Security Deposit.
Refundable security deposits are returned to you following housekeeping check of your accommodation. Your deposit is returned using same method of payment made to us and. We wish to advise guests paying deposits on arrival 2-4 workings day to show on their account depending on your banking provider. If you paid by bank transfer please ensure we have your bank details too.
CAMPSITE OFFICE: +353 (0)41 988 4861
Out of hours: +353 (0)87 342 0582
Now, enough of the boring stuff – its time to have some fun ….