Eco Ireland

Glengarriff Lodge in West Cork is the place to go if you are looking for Luxury Self Catering in West Cork with an environmentally aware policies. The owner Alan Callender is committed to creating an environmentally sustainable business in West Cork.

The Lodge is on a 50 Acre estate in Glengarriff - one of Ireland’s most beautiful woodlands. The lodge has been tastefully restored to create a luxury hideaway. It’s a real fairytale setting - I would highly recommend Glengarriff Lodge.

Visit the website - www.glengarriff-lodge.com

Organico in Bantry is the ideal spot to shop for organic wines and self catering supplies…

Linda Field has launched a new range of jewellery. The Healing Angles are designed around the concept of the healing power of crystals and stones. Her new website is under construction and is coming soon at Angel Jewellery. Linda is based in Ireland, and hopes that her Angels will have a wide appeal for women who are looking for a stylish way of wearing a beautiful healing stone. The Angels are made of solid silver with conflict free stones.

If you are looking for Yoga in the Bantry area I would recommend the Boab Centre , which has one of the most amazing Yoga studios I’ve ever seen - it’s an Eco-Studio which looks like the most amazing Tolkien-esque structure from the outside complete with grass roof and amazing woodwork. However, it’s the studio itself inside that really impresses - Eco builder Bas Paul, has created an amazing space for Yoga. The studio is oval with an incredible view out over the valley and a really calm safe atmosphere.

The Boab Centre runs Yoga classes for all levels of yoga student. I would highly recommend their teachers, mind you it’s difficult to get a place as they usually have a waiting list. So if you are interested in some really good yoga tuition you should send them a mail or give them a call.

Boab Centre
Maughanaclea
Kealkil, Bantry
boabcentre@eircom.net
+353-(0)2766282

Esther Ekhart has launched a new website for Yoga called Yogatic.com .

It’s an exciting resource for Yoga online with a Yoga Dictionary, Yoga Poses and Yoga Video.

If you need help with your Yoga and are looking for a useful no nonsense online resource this looks like it’s going to be a winner, Esther is an amazing Yoga teacher with years of experience and Yogatic! is a space worth watching…

I had an amazing sailing experience last weekend! I booked a place on the schooner Anna M out of Sherkin with skipper Joe Aston (Sailing West Cork) Joe is a very experienced seaman but is also a keen environmentalist and is a mine of information on all things maritime (as well as being a charming host).

The day was stunning - amazing sunshine and a lovely little breeze. We sailed down to the Fastnet and then out to sea, were joined by a school of common dolphins who frolicked about the bow for half an hour and then we had a delicious lunch prepared by Joe. The lunch was fresh shrimp sandwiches (made with shrimps caught that morning - wow! the taste was amazing).

I would highly recommend a trip on the Anna M - and if you need somewhere to stay Joe offers B&B on Sherkin Island. Joe is very passionate about sustainable living and his business is very eco aware as a result. Check his website www.gannetsway.com

So we’re live! Eco Ireland is a directory of wonderful Eco things to do, places to go and places to eat with a focus on ecological responsibility. Please contact us with any information or reviews of ecologically minded business in Ireland and we will investigate it…

Garnish or Ilnacullin Island is located in the spectacular harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. The Island which benefits from the gulf stream is an amazing garden. It’s the ideal venue for a day out with a picnic. The island is accessed by ferry and there are three ferries in operation - One from the Blue Pool , One from the Pier and a small intimate ferry from Shrone pier. The cost of the trip is between €8 and €12 which doesn’t include the entry ticket to the Island (althought this is an annoyance - I would highly reccommend this as one of the best eco trips in West Cork).

There’s a very tame seal colony in the harbour and each ferry will stop and allow you to see the seals - when the pups are learning to fend for themselves is probably the most interesting time of the year.

Colin Barnes runs one of the most exciting Eco activities in West Cork. His Whale and Dolphin watching tours are amazing! The Holly-Jo is a custom catamaran designed specifically for whale watching - it provides a fast stable platform for whale watching. Colin’s tours leave from Reen Pier near Union Hall and the trip is dictated by where the whales are currently feeding. Colin is passionate about what he does and is incredibly knowledgable about cetaceans. He frequently spots Humpbacks, Minke, Fin Whales, Killer Whales as well as lots of harbour porpoise, common dolphins and bottelnoses. Having been out with Colin several times I can highly recommend his whale watching tours. He is very careful and is very sensitive to the creatures he is watching - rather than buzzing the whales he will position the boat ahead of their path so you do get a close encounter but without disturbing the whales. Visit Colin’s Website Here.

Jim Kennedy is one of Ireland’s most experienced sea kayaking instructors. He started Altantic Sea Kayaking back in 1995 and has been running a sucessful Kayaking activity venture since then. With a wide range of day trips, midnight adventures and overnight trips Jim and his team can put the idea eco holiday together for you. I was really impressed with this operation. It ran like clockwork the kayaks and wetsuits were tip top condition and most impressively the instructors coped admirably with a mixed ability group. Jim approach is on of quiet confidence and understated expertise. He is a mine of information on the sea and it’s flora and fauna. Visit the Atlantic Sea Kayaking Website Here.

Organico Cafe in Bantry is one of my favourite places to eat. As the name suggests the focus is on organic food which is sourced locally where possible. The food is delicious and I can heartily recommend Organico for a tasty lunch. Located at the start of Glengarriff Road the cafe is upstairs in a lovely bright and spacious venue. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Visit the Organico Website Here