Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [4]
* * *
GREEN WEBSITES
Check out the following online resources for in-depth info on how to travel in Ireland without being an environmental bully or leaving too large a carbon footprint:
www.cultivate.ie Sustainable living centre in Dublin’s Temple Bar.
www.sustourism.ie All-Ireland project committed to building a sustainable tourist infrastructure.
www.greenbox.ie An integrated ‘green zone’ that includes Fermanagh, Leitrim, West Cavan, North Sligo, South Donegal and North West Monaghan
www.enfo.ie Ireland’s public information service on environmental matters, including sustainable development.
www.sei.ie Ireland’s national energy centre was set up in 2007 to promote and assist the development of sustainable energy.
www.foe.ie The world’s largest network of environmental groups has its own Irish branch.
www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net A network of independent environmentalists that has logged close to 10,000 environment-related stories.
www.thevillage.ie Ireland’s first ecofriendly and sustainable urban plan is an extension of the village of Cloughjordan, County Tipperary.
* * *
* * *
TOP 10 GREEN SLEEPS
Anna’s House B&B Strangford Lough, County Down;.
Ardtarmon House Drumcliff, County Sligo;.
Errigal Hostel Dunlewey, County Donegal;.
Jampa Ling Buddhist Centre Bawnboy, County Cavan;.
Omagh Independent Hostel Omagh, County Tyrone;.
Dolphin Hotel & Restaurant Inishbofin, County Galway;.
Phoenix Vegetarian Restaurant & Accommodation Mt Caherconree, County Kerry;.
Rocky View Farmhouse Fanore, County Clare;.
Rua Castlebar, County Mayo;.
Shiplake Mountain Hostel Dunmanway, County Cork;.
* * *
Sustainable Tourism Ireland (www.sustourism.ie) is a handy starting point with a list of enterprises, from B&Bs to urban planning projects, that put eco-responsibility and sustainability at the fore.
Fly Less
There are numerous boat companies serving Ireland from Britain and France, and return fares often don’t cost that much more than one-way fares – not to mention the plethora of special offers designed to challenge the cheap flight hegemony. Boats arrive in Dublin, Belfast, Larne and Wexford; for more details, see the Transport chapter Click here.
Use Less Plastic
The Republic has a levy of €0.22 on all plastic bags at the point of sale, and it has proven remarkably effective, reducing the use of these noxious carriers by up to 90%. Northern Ireland introduced a 5p levy in July 2007. We urge you to use as few plastic bags as possible; most shops sell cloth bags that can be stashed away when not in use.
Stay Longer
An extended visit, as opposed to the rush-in, rush-out limitations of city-break travel, is preferable because it allows for ‘slow travel’ – the kind of exploratory travel that allows you to take your time and get to know a place without needing to rush (and find the fastest form of transport) to get you around. The ideal form of slow travel is a bike tour – throughout the book we have included details of bicycle rental agencies. Some organisations also run bike tours (Click here).
Return to beginning of chapter
TRAVEL LITERATURE
Travel in Ireland seems to inspire writers, some of whom seem obsessed with using Guinness as a metaphor for Irish life. As irritating as that is to the Irish and anyone else with an aversion to bad metaphors, some manage the job with cleverness and humour.
Ireland – In a Glass of Its Own by Peter Biddlecombe is a hilarious trip around Ireland, based on the premise that the 32 counties can be said to represent the constituent parts of a pint of the black stuff.
Pint-Sized Ireland by Evan McHugh is the story of the ultimate Aussie pilgrimage: a journey the length and breadth