Sustainable Staycations and holidays closer to home

Staycations. It’s all anyone is talking about these days…

Sustainable Tourism. That’s another one. Here are seven places where you can embrace both this year!

Hotel Doolin, Doolin, County Clare

Hotel Doolin is Ireland’s only Carbon Neutral Hotel and a leader in green hospitality in Ireland. The hotel has won numerous eco awards including Irish Medium Sized Green Organisation of the Year 2018/19 and the Green Tourism and Entertainment Award as well as being listed in the McKenna Guide 100 Best and the Irish Independent’s Fab 50 Places to Stay.  Hotel Doolin is the founder and the home of the Doolin Folkfest, Doolin Writers’ Weekend and Doolin Surfest www.doolinfestivals.ie 

Cliften Eco Camping, Cliften, Galway

Clifden Eco Beach is a multi-award-winning ecological park and Ireland’s first eco-certified carbon-neutral premises. Set amongst the sand dunes on the shores of Connemara’s Wild Atlantic Way, it boasts breathtaking panoramic seascape views from its secluded private sandy beach.

Its unique location and relaxed atmosphere provide a true semi-wild eco camping adventure. Discover real peace with nature, with vast open spaces, natural beauty, spectacular sunsets and cosy campfires, under a star-friendly sky.

Ard Nahoo Eco Retreats, Mullagh, County Leitrim

Green Credentials: The timber-framed and cedar wood-cladded Eco Cabins at Ard Nahoo aren’t just eco-friendly – they’re also pretty. Power in the cabins comes courtesy of a wind turbine and heated wood-pellet stoves will keep you warm. Leitrim’s appropriately green and untouched hills are your backyard.

Gyreum Eco Lodge, Castlebaldwin, County Sligo

Green Credentials: Just like its green UFO-like roof, the entire Gyreum building blends in with its green surrounds. Fresh foods are harvested from the vegetable gardens; a wood stove provides ample heat; and breakfasts include organic duck eggs. Described by one reviewer as “by far the coziest place I stayed during my two week trip to Ireland”, the Gyreum even welcomes travelling volunteers and hosts courses in eco building, energy and organic horticulture.

Croan Cottages, Dunnamaggan, County Kilkenny

Green Credentials: Located among fields of deep green Kilkenny farmland, Croan Cottages are epitomes of modern eco accommodation. Here, rain is collected to water plant and vegetable gardens; fruit trees and native deciduous hedges pepper the grounds and Fair Trade and GM-free organic products are prioritised. The owners even operate their own small holding, keeping cattle, sheep, pigs, ducks, peacocks, pheasants and dogs (your dog is welcome, too!).

Hagal Farm, Bantry, County Cork

Green Credentials: Nestled in the mountains of west Cork, Hagal Healing Farm is an ecological escape where visitors can relish a detox weekend, take organic cooking courses or relax with natural therapies. Warm welcomes are literal here, as hosts Janni and Fred greet guests with herbal tea using ingredients from their own sprawling garden. Couples have even tied the knot in this “Garden of Eden” with its “gorgeous views over green hills to Bantry Bay.” Solar heating, bedside candles and organic eats? Mother Nature approves.

Iveagh Garden Hotel, Dublin

In designing the hotel, the McGill family felt strongly that the property should deliver an exceptional guest experience, while limiting the hotel’s carbon footprint. The Iveagh Garden on Harcourt Street will source all of its energy from an underground river, running 50 metres below the hotel. Large turbines will convert power from the river Swan to meet all of the hotel’s energy requirements. Oh, and it’s only gorgeous!