LEAVE NO TRACE ALONG THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

BY CLAIR COLLINS

With the lure of the Wild Atlantic Way being as much about the fresh sea air, unspoilt coastal beauty and the verdant green that is synonymous with the Emerald Isle, it is not surprising that there is an emerging market along the route for tourism that is a little greener and a bit more socially conscious.

But what is Ecotourism I hear you ask? You could be forgiven for thinking ecotourism is just a marketing strapline for something a bit hippy and but trust me when I say, that the modern Irish tourism product is highly sophisticated. Ecotourism operators place an emphasis on enriching personal experiences, increasing environmental awareness and promoting an appreciation of nature, environment, heritage and culture.

There are many varying definitions from a myriad of sources but the official line from The International Ecotourism society is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”

Why is ecotourism important? Well, in this day and age people have recognised the need to create enterprises and experiences that are sustainable. It is something we do in our daily lives through recycling, energy efficient homes, electric cars, bike to work schemes and why not aim to be just as green and sustainable in our holidays and staycations?

Beyond the altruistic side whereby ecotourism locations interact with and enhance their community, there is a further tangible benefit as ecotourism is good business. It provides effective economic incentives for conserving and enhancing diversity and helps keep pristine the natural and cultural heritage of our beautiful island nation for generations to come.

So armed with this knowledge, where does one go to find such a holiday destination along the Wild Atlantic Way? Do these places even exist here? Gleefully I can attest that yes, they do. Nothing tops up North.

Donegal has some great eco spots. Why not stay at the Creevey Holiday Cottages in Ballyshannon? These reconstructed traditional stone cottages, which are 4 star Failte Ireland and Eu Flower Ecolabel approved, are pet friendly and offer boat charters, sea fishing and coastal walks.

Another great spot is the Ard na Breátha Farm Guesthouse located on a quiet edge of a real working farm just outside Donegal town. It is also Eu Flower Ecolabel rated and offers fantastic hospitality. For an eco-themed activity, why not harness wave power and learn to surf in Bundoran, County Donegal?

When doing research on eco destinations, Galway was a county that just kept cropping up. Head to Clifden for Eco Camping on the beach at Ireland’s first climate neutral eco Campsite, which offers visitors a sustainable, cluster free ‘real camping’ experience, with unparalleled panoramic Atlantic seascape views. Detour to Inishbofin island, only 90 mins away from Galway city. With several daily sailings on the ‘Island Discovery’ this island is a veritable haven for eco escapes. Designated as a special area for conservation due to its variety of flora and fauna, it is a ‘leave no trace’ island. Activities here include guided walking tours, angling, birdwatching, hillwalking, cycling, scuba diving and more. Stay at the Dolphin Hotel, Inishboffin which as well as being rated by Eco Tourism Ireland offers a range of eco experiences including nature photography, seaweed harvesting, half day sheep farming and potato planting.

Clare the moment I met you I swear… In County Clare your first port of call has to be the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark which offers everything from archaeology to adventure and from geology to botany. This area is home to 7 Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Points including Flaggy Shore and Fanore Beach, Poulnabrone megalithic tomb, Lough Bunny, Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells and of course the captivating Cliffs of Moher, which stand at 214m tall at their highest point. While in Clare get close to nature at the award winning ‘Purecamping’ eco-campsite which comprises of bell tents set in the small village of Querrin, which is nestled on the south side of the Loop Head Peninsula. Here you can make homemade pizza in the clay oven, and unwind in the outdoor sauna.

For an eco-experience that will soothe mind and body take a soak in the Voya Seaweed Baths based in the beautiful coastal village of Strandhill County Sligo. VOYA Seaweed Baths and organic treatments are especially recommended for those who are overworked, stressed or simply seeking an effective natural detoxifying process for the skin. While in Sligo why not also take in some of the local beauty spots which include Glencar Lake and waterfall, Knocknarea, Strandhill beach, Benbulben mountain and Rosses Point.

Tóg Go Bog é (take it easy) is a Pod campsite located in the Cork Mountains, Ireland. Situated in rugged beauty, it’s a great option for outdoor enthusiast, with cycling routes and hiking galore. There are even opportunities to go fresh water fishing

Needless to say there are so many more locations, attractions, natural points of beauty and innovative accomodation solutions we could mention, so for more information on eco breaks in Ireland check out www. ecotourismireland.ie, where you can search for spots along the Wild Atlantic Way via their interactive map.