Ireland’s Cabu By The Lakes is the grown-up summer camp we’re all craving

The wholesome, outdoorsy scene at this cluster of chic lakeside lodges will make you feel 13 again, says Nicola Brady

Wooden cabins at Cabu by the Lakes, Ireland (Cabü by the Lakes)

When I was younger, I was obsessed with American summer camps. I loved them all – Camp Mohawk from The Baby-Sitter’s Club, Camp Waziyatah from Bug Juice and, later, Camp Firewood from Wet Hot American Summer. If I’m being honest, I even loved the camp from Friday the 13th. You know, before all of those pesky murders.

So it was inevitable that I would fall in love with Cabu by the Lakes, a collection of dinky log cabins set in the middle of Killykeen Forest Park, in Ireland’s County Cavan. Or rather it was inevitable that I would find myself relentlessly referencing said summer camps, whenever I spotted people heading out on kayaks or hopping into one of the rowboats lined up at the jetty.

Woodland views at Cabu (Cabu by the Lakes)