Sustainability in County Kerry
County Kerry is recognised as one of Ireland's leading destinations for Sustainable Tourism.
Climate change affects us all and the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation (KTIF) is committed to working with our members to innovate and improve on new ways to be greener than before, pushing to bring sustainability to the forefront of the industry and place it at the heart of all that we do.
We want to ensure that all of our members are making sustainable choices in their day-to-day operations and that our visitors to the Kingdom do the same to take a step in the right direction for our climate and its future.
Tips:
- Charging electric vehicles - find out where your nearest car charging points are here.
- Visiting cafes and restaurants that are part of the Conscious Cup Campaign – these outlets will use customers' own cups. See a full list of outlets here.
- Refill your water bottle at refill stations – click here to find locations.
To read about recent Sustainability Initiatives and Achievements within Kerry, click here.
Keeping It Green Initiatives
Here are some local 'Keep It Green' initiatives and practical suggestions to consider when planning your trip to Kerry:
Support the Local Community
- Take part in an activity that gives back to the local community. This might be a tour that has a local charitable partner or where part of the entrance fee goes to support local charities.
- Visit Deenagh Lodge Tea Room in Killarney, which is run by Down Syndrome Kerry.
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian and vegan options are more environmentally-friendly and often tend to be cheaper, so make sure to incorporate some meat-free options into your menu.
- Tap water is a sustainable choice with no transportation or waste packaging.
- Use glasses and water jugs over single use plastic bottles.
- Refill your own bottle at handy refill stations.
- Opt for local, seasonal and organic produce.
- Choose ethical, eco and fair-trade options.
- Select cafés and restaurants that have environmental credentials.
Transport
- Many of our hotels and accommodation offerings are within walking distance of the train and bus station, enabling you to arrive at your accomodation without the need for additional transport.
- Kerry towns and villages are extremely compact, with everything in close proximity and easily navigatable on foot.
- Many hotel properties offer complimentary bike hire and our destinations are extremely easy to navigate by bike.
Click here to learn more about Discover Kerry's stamp on cycling across The Kingdom.
Accommodation
- Choose accommodation providers that have an environmental certification.
- Look for accommodation options that demonstrate their commitment to sustainability e.g. onsite charging points, water refilling stations, kitchen gardens, carbon neutral swimming pools etc.
Recycling & Waste
"If You Bring It In, Take It Out" - take home all litter and leftover food. Utilise the bins provided in your accommodation to sort and recycle all your rubbish.
Sustainable Activities in County Kerry
Whether it’s a nature-filled tour of The Ring of Kerry, a trip to Killarney National Park, or an insight into preserved farms using renewable farming traditions like Muckross Traditional Farms, there’s something for everyone. Alternatively, make it an adventure and cycle the Gap of Dunloe and Black Valley Cycling Loop or explore it on horseback with Killarney Riding Stables. Head to the stunning Kerry coast for seaweed foraging with Atlantic Irish Seaweed, learn about Kerry’s marine life through water activities at Sea Synergy Marine Awareness & Activity Centre or enjoy a stand up paddling boarding trip with WildSUP where collecting ocean litter to keep Kerry’s waterways clean is part of the experience.
Click here to learn more about what Kerry has to offer for those seeking adventure in a sustainable manner.
Dingle Sustainablity Project
Dingle was featured on RTÉ for their work on a community sustainability project in conjunction with ESB Networks. The aim of the project is to measure the impact that a low-carbon lifestyle has on the electricity system and has been running for the past 3 years. Two locals who took part in the project - Deirdre de Bhailís and Dinny Galvin - travelled to the 2021 COP26 summit in Glasgow to deliver the results of the project and how it can be applied to other communities for a more sustainable future. Read more about this project here.
