How to travel sustainably in Ireland

While you're here

One of the best things you can do to stay sustainable is also one of the simplest. Even better, it’s as much of a treat to yourself as it is to the planet: just eat local. Ireland is famed for its fantastic food and drink. Give back to the community by supporting local businesses, restaurants and farmers’ markets. You can even combine sightseeing with tasty treats and take a food tour from a local guide.

Speaking of which, choosing local guides is the ideal way to go sightseeing – they know everything about the area, they’re invested in showing you the best of their surroundings. And they’re also great for getting recommendations about what else to see and do.

And always remember to respect the natural environment: reduce, reuse and recycle. Even though you’re just visiting, split your rubbish out into recyclable and green waste, and keep your usage of water and energy to a minimum.

And of course, you can’t forget the souvenirs. Ireland’s artists create terrific, unique crafts that make perfect mementos of the trip of a lifetime – much more meaningful than a plastic knick-knack.

We all know the post-holiday lull can be a powerful thing. So, once you’re home, why not channel that energy into some activities that are good for the planet? Sites like Go Carbon Neutral, Vita and South Pole enable you to calculate the carbon footprint of your trip, from flights and accommodation to local transport.

From there, you can offset your emissions by sponsoring reforestation initiatives, purchasing more efficient stoves for people in developing countries, or even supporting women’s health and employment opportunities.

And, of course, in a world where we are able to share our ideas far and wide, compiling your top trip tips from Ireland and sharing them with friends and family is a great way to keep the circle of sustainable travel going around.