An Eco Escape

The travel industry has finally begun to wake up to the importance of low carbon, environmentally conscious travel. Ecotravel is no longer a buzzword thrown about by a select few. With the constant change in our environment, the impending threat of climate change and the heightened awareness amongst our politicians; it is now simply a necessity.

Dolphin Beach is a destination shrouded in old charm, while at the same time we acknowledge the need to adapt to the future and to a constantly changing environment. Originally dating back to the early 1900’s, it is hard to believe the property only recently received electricity (circa 1970). It has since been striving to minimise its environmental impact and today 79% of the electricity supplied to Dolphin Beach is from renewable energy.

In the late 1980’s when the Foyle Family acquired the property, a feasibility study was carried out to see if an alternative energy interpretive centre (the first of its kind in Ireland) could be built on the site in an effort to promote and help educate the next generation on the advantages of renewable energy. Unfortunately, the planning authority refused our application. Although prevented from such a project twenty years ago, the environmental challenge at Dolphin Beach continues unabated as we strive towards enhancing our local environment.

“From the Cove Room to the Crooked Room, each of the bedrooms has its own personality. You'll find special touches in every corner, from mosaics to sleigh beds and old trunks that now serve as bedside lockers. Then there are the famous headboards, hand-carved by Billy, which are impressive centrepieces for the bedrooms.

Aside from the creativity of the furniture, there is also an eco-element to Billy's work - everything he uses has been recycled. All types of everything go into the making of the headboards; from curtain poles, to old cots, to broken furniture, to clocks, to jewellery.”

The Sunday Tribune, Style Map - Irelands coolest addresses, Dec 2008

In an age of globalisation, travel has become a part of our everyday lives and with the advent of cheap airfares we now have easy access to some of the most remote parts of the world. Connemara is one of these remote regions and it is important that we take the correct measures to ensure its natural beauty is protected and preserved for generations to come.

Ecotourism is not just the greening of our building but it requires us to take a much more holistic approach to the service we are providing. It involves enhancing our surrounding landscape; promoting cultural and natural diversity; increasing environmental, cultural and local knowledge and improving the socio-economic welfare of our community.

Here at Dolphin Beach we feel it is our responsibility to provide you with a comfortable and enjoyable stay, while at the same time minimising our impact on the environment. We understand that there is always more to do and realise that we must constantly adapt to changes so we are constantly looking at ways to further reduce our carbon emissions.

To date the measures we have taken to minimise our environmental impact include:

• 79% of electricity is supplied by renewable energy

• Natural reed beds incorporated into our sewage treatment system.

• Rainwater and compost collection and recycling of all waste products.

• All water is clean and pure and extracted from a well on site.

• Building was designed to sit into the natural landscape and maximise solar gain in order to decrease energy consumption.

• Triple glazed windows and under floor heating minimising heat loss.

• Organic seaweed garden where all our vegetables are grown without the use of chemicals.

• Timber and stone from the original farm house reused and preserved during construction.

• 15 acres of wildlife and gardens - preserving and enhancing the local biodiversity.

• All meat and fish are sourced from local suppliers.