What is Ecotourism?
To promote “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people”
Our commitment to Ecotourism Principles:
• Using environmentally sustainable practices
• Bringing people into nature
• Promoting our natural and cultural heritage
• Contributing to conservation
• Maximising benefits for local communities
• Ensuring visitor satisfaction
• Marketing responsibly
• Increasing cultural respect and awareness
EcoTourism Ireland Certification
We are members of a group of dedicated businesses - The Burren Ecooturism Network - who have gone through a rigorous training and assessment programme to be certified as an Ecotourism Ireland accredited Ecotourism destination in Ireland.
We have been awarded Silver by EcoTourism Ireland for our Eco Experiences:
Early Bird Cycling Tour
Burren Steps and Bites
What is The Burren?
On the West coast of Ireland in County Clare lies the Burren, one of Europe’s and indeed the world’s most outstanding landscapes: a place of great beauty and fascination, steeped in history, teeming with wildlife and blessed with a rich culture and strong sense of community. It comprises 560 square km of karst landscape, is home to over 70% of Ireland’s native flora with an unusual combination of Artic, alpine and Mediterranean plants. It contains the highest concentration in Ireland of archaeological monuments from Bronze Age and the Early Christian Period. Its reputation as an outstanding landscape, together with its fame as a cultural destination and richness in archaeological and historical terms, has given the Burren recognition in many sectors especially those interested in academic, historical or outdoor pursuits.
Recently The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Global Geopark became a member of the UNESCO-supported Global and European Geoparks Network.
The Burren Ecotourism Network offers visitors opportunities to engage with this amazing protected landscape in a manner which is sustainable both in terms of the environment as well as the community.
For more information please see The Burren Connect Project.
Environmental Policy:
We are committed to continuing to improve our environmental performance and minimising our environmental impact on the beautiful area in which we live.
Due to our location and firm belief in the principles of ‘Leave No Trace’ we hope to embrace its ethos into our business. We provide books and literature on local walks and on the natural and social history of the area.
Leave No Trace:
1.Plan Ahead and Prepare
2.Be Considerate of Others
3.Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
4.Travel and Camp on Durable Ground
5.Leave What You Find
6.Dispose of Waste Properly
7.Minimise the Effects of Fire
We endeavour to take time to interact with our visitors by passing on our local knowledge and information in the hope that this will enhance and maybe extend their stay in the area.
Energy:
We use low energy bulbs, outside motion detector lights and have changed our energy supplier to Air Tricity, regarded as a front runner in renewable energy. We have installed two more Velux windows to allow more natural light and heat into the customer area. We monitor and manage the use of energy especially in the kitchen area.
Water:
We intend to install a Rainwater Harvesting System in 2010. We use mainly Eco friendly cleaning agents leaving our wastewater as clean as possible.
Waste:
This is one area that I am very proud of. I find that with staff training and co-operation we have made great progress over that last two years. Since most of our dishes include a lot vegetable and salad it makes composting an easy option. We also use biodegradable white paper serviettes suitable for the compost bin. Our hand soap is biodegradeable and in liquid form.
Our main supplier takes back its cardboard packaging. Plastics are recycled. A local farmer takes most of the left over cooked food to feed to his pigs and dogs. Thankfully leaving very little for our general waste bin.
Biodiversity:
We have a little birdbath and feeding corner.
Conservation:
I promote environmental awareness through my involvement with Burren Beo Trust, Burren Walking and Cycling Groups as well as the Ballyvaughan Development Group, by initiating events, talks, walks and cycles, that create awareness and involve both locals and tourists.
