21 of the best green hotels and getaways in Ireland for your most sustainable staycation yet

From hotels and B&Bs to castles and cabins, Ireland offers plenty of eco-conscious staycation options, writes Thom Breathnach

Sat, 27 Jan, 2024 - 21:02

Thom Breathnach

What makes a hotel a sustainability hero, a champion of green tourism or an undisputed glas act? It certainly goes beyond the optics of those little bathroom cards reminding guests to hang up their used towels and is more about considered and from-the-heart environmental policies which go beyond any tokenist attempt at greenwashing. Hundreds of accommodations across the island are pivoting their businesses for a greener future. To inspire you, we’ve selected 21 properties in Ireland which include seasoned pioneers and dynamic fresh faces of sustainable staycations. From farm to fork breakfasts, fossil fuel-free country houses and off-grid, solar powered getaways, this list showcases just some of the verdant kaleidoscope that is Ireland’s green hospitality scene.

Ballymaloe House, East Cork

Ballymaloe House has been a beacon of sustainability ever since Myrtle and Ivan Allen opened it as a restaurant 60 years ago. Innovation at the property has flourished with the ages ever since, from abandoning fossil fuels back in 1984 to becoming 50% dependent on solar power last year. Guests can expect biodiversity to bloom here too; Ballymaloe will even host a bird-lovers getaway together with Birdwatch Ireland this April. From €250; ballymaloe.ie

Armada Hotel, Co Clare

In the sustainability world, B Corp certification is the holy grail of green credentials, so the fact that the Armada in Co Clare is Ireland’s first hotel to achieve the accolade merits a major bualadh bos. The Spanish Point property met vigorous criteria to achieve the feat. Sixty per cent of the hotel’s suppliers (from Burren Smoked Salmon to Wild Irish Seaweed Baths) are within an 80km radius of the hotel. Environmental efforts span from plastic-free hotel rooms to beach cleans in partnership with Clean Coasts. From €140; armadahotel.com

Slow Cabins, Co Galway

Tucked within the Galway fringes of the scenic Burren Lowlands, Slow Cabins offer guests fully off-grid getaways without skimping on comforts. Straight from a #getawaygoals hashtag, the cabins are entirely solar operated while a state of the art rainwater collection system is used for shower and wash-up water. Their e-guides offer excellent local business tips too. From €202.50; slowcabins.ie

King Sitric, Howth

If you’re a seafood lover with an eco-eye, consider anchoring down at this popular haunt in Howth, Co Dublin. The seafood bar and guesthouse practice a whole trawl of sustainability measures; their lobster and crab is caught in methods which allow the by-catch to return to sea, they filter and carbonate their own water on site to reduce glass and plastic. while their own bio-digester equals zero food waste. From €170; kingsitric.ie

The Hidden Haven, West Cork

For a romantic getaway which marries luxury and sustainability, look no further than The Hidden Haven near Bantry, West Cork. Run by A-star hosts, Claire and Steve Collins, this supremely aesthetic property nestled within the family’s organic farm is a celebration of native produce and design, from stunning bog wood wall art created by the couple’s son, Sean, to a hyperlocal breakfast hamper where even the basket is crafted nearby. The property has just begun trialling a new tree planting initiative for guests too. From €275; derryduff.ie

Gregans Castle, Co Clare

As a founding member of The Burren Ecotourism Network, Gregan’s Castle have long been at the forefront of matters green. The gorgeous Ireland’s Blue Book member nestled outside the village of Ballyvaughan manage some of the most comprehensive sustainability policies in the country with recent highlights including the planting of 600 endangered trees as part of the Burren Pine Project. Bonus points for the two resident rescue donkeys also. From €279; gregans.ie

Rigneys Farmhouse, Co Limerick

The full Irish breakfast is synonymous with a slap-up staycation, but how often do you ever see free range bacon on the menu? It’s standard at Rigney’s, a highly rated farmhouse B&B in Co Limerick which proudly breeds free-roaming ginger and black-haired pigs for organic pork. Add to that free range eggs, farm honey, their award-winning granola and homemade farm bread and you’ve the perfect full Irish – all within a one-acre radius! From €150; rigneysfarm.com

The Station House Hotel, Co Meath

With its Boyne Valley location, expect provenance to be pretty first class at the Station House Hotel. For guest experiences, the property also partners with nearby Dunsany Nature Reserve, the only site in Ireland to form part of the acclaimed Rewinding Europe programme. Guests can either cycle to the grounds on complimentary bikes or organise a guided tour with the reserve’s characterful owner, Baron Randal Plunkett. From €210; stationhousehotel.ie

The Ross, Killarney

Here’s an example of how a hotel’s green initiatives can have a grass roots impact across an entire community. Last year, the Killarney Coffee Cup Project grabbed headlines when businesses across the Kerry town collaborated to ban single use coffee cups. The driver behind the change was The Ross hotel, located right in the town centre. Kudos to the property where positive environmental and social change are pillars of their policy. From €150; theross.ie

Breac.House Co Donegal

A boutique retreat with a green game, Breac.House is an eco escape in the wilds of Donegal’s stunning Horn Head peninsula. Slow tourism is encouraged here, in fact half the rooms are reserved for minimum stays. Within the property, food miles are kept to a minimum thanks to homemade breads, yoghurts and preserves. Seaweeds from guest experiences are reused for compost while their sauna, inspired by ancient Irish sweat houses, is also off-grid. From €395; breac.house

The Bullitt, Belfast

Belfast bills itself as the most sustainable destination in Ireland thanks to the most recent Global Destination Sustainability Index, which ranked the city 8th in Europe (with Gothenburg ranking 1st and Cork at 27th). The trendy Bullitt hotel is just one of the hotels leading the way Laganside; it employs a range of carbon-reducing initiatives from serving flax-fed beef in its restaurant to partnering with food waste collective Guardians of the Grub. From €123; bullitthotel.com

Dunmore House, West Cork

West Cork offers farm-to-fork fare pretty much by. default and a sublime spot to savour it is Dunmore House located just outside Clonakilty. The family-run property place their environmental legacy at the forefront of their business’ DNA. Their organic ocean garden provides vegetables for their kitchen, uniforms here are made from organic cotton,and they proudly use the Irish and sustainably-sourced Voya range for their bathroom products. They even forage fresh ingredients from the coast too. From €200; dunmorehousehotel.ie

Ballynahinch Castle, Co Galway

A stay at one of Ireland’s dreamiest properties also means protecting the wilds of Connemara. The 700 acres of Ballynahinch span an official Special Area of Conservation so the five-star estate has created an impressive biodiversity action plan to maintain its beauty. Measures include the estate’s fisheries having a full catch and release policy and the walled garden hosting a wildflower meadowland. Future plans also include a rhododendron removal programme. From €305; ballynahinch-castle.com

Finn Lough Resort, Co Fermanagh

There are big plans for one of Northern Ireland’s most exclusive escapes this year… and a purpose-built on-site solar farm is going to make it shine. Finn Lough, famed for its bubble dome accommodation under the stars, has a series of exciting developments for 2024 with revamped river cabins and domes launching next month. Keep an eye out for the new Mexican-inspired tropical spa village opening too. From €239; finnlough.com

The Black Sheep, Killarney

For a budget break rich on sustainability, consider The Black Sheep hostel in Killarney. The property has its eyes firmly on its carbon negative goal and features a garden polytunnel which produces much of its kitchen’s veg, while free range chickens here are fed on food waste. Guests can book dorm, double room or apartment style accommodation, and any guest who arrives by bike gets a free tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Fair trade, naturally! Dorms from €24; blacksheephostel.ie

Falls Hotel, Co Clare

What does a sustainably-minded hotel do when they’re situated alongside a gushing waterfall? Build a hydro-electric turbine, that’s what. The family-friendly Ennistymon hotel, situated on the River Inagh, has been a carbon neutral property through the Green Hospitality Programme GREENMark for almost three years thanks to the undertaking. In fact, the hotel claims that as soon as guests arrive at the property, they’re already decreasing their carbon footprint. From €135; fallshotel.ie

Hodson Bay, Co Westmeath

Like many hotel businesses across Ireland, The Hodson Bay Group is investing massively in sustainability efforts; €3 million is earmarked for the early months of this year alone. The group’s properties include the community-conscioius Hyatt Centric in Dublin and the popular Hodson Bay on the shores of Lough Ree. The latter proudly features Yew Point, 145 acres of unspoiled meadowlands and forests, as well as their vegetable garden where fresh native veg and edible flowers are ready to be hand-picked by their chefs and mixologists. hodsonbayhotel.com

Woodlands Hotel, Co Limerick

Sustainability efforts often go beyond the in-room recycling bin. The Woodlands Hotel in Limerick is just one property working to help replenish our vulnerable bee population. They’ve partnered with The Native Irish Honey Bee Society to establish a conservation area for the native Irish honey bee in their very own organic garden. Honey harvested is not only enjoyed by guests at the breakfast table but also at the hotel’s Revas spa. €125; woodlands-hotel.ie

Cashel Palace, Co Tipperary

When Ireland’s newest luxury hotel opened in 2021, sustainability formed a major part of its foundations. Architectural additions here have been designed and built to NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) specifications with underfloor heating, LED lighting, and other conservation hacks all featuring. Provenance is also in the property’s DNA with Tipperary produce taking centre stage in dining offerings like The (sublime) Bishop’s Buttery. They also have their own bee hives. From €359; cashelpalacehotel.ie

Wren Urban Nest, Dublin

Billed as Ireland’s most sustainable hotel upon its opening, Wren Urban Nest in D2 brings an eco-led design to the heart of the capital. Guests will find the property’s “Little Steps” ethos evident throughout, from its cosy rooms featuring bed spreads from Mourne Textiles to an entirely organic wine list at its restaurant. To target waste, unsold food at the restaurant can also be purchased daily via the saver app Too Good To Go. From €116; wrenhotel.ie

Hotel Doolin, Co Clare

Clare is a beacon of sustainable tourism in Ireland, so it’s no surprise that a fourth property from The Banner makes our list. Hotel Doolin has won dozens of sustainability awards, including Ireland’s Greenest Hotel and Green Business of the Year. An overnight stay doesn’t have to cost the earth, your wedding need not be an ecological disaster, “you can party without the footprint at Hotel Doolin” is the motto here. From €140, hoteldoolin.ie