At Clare's rock hostel we have tried to minimise our effect on the environment through a number of measures.

The main building is stone faced with limestone rock from the site

We recycle as much of the waste generated by guests as possible. All glass/metal/plastic containers are recycled. Food waste is composted.
Guests are made aware of our recycling policy at check-in.

Low energy light bulbs are used throughout.

ECO-AWARDS

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has presented a plaque to Clare’s Rock Hostel in recognition of our efforts to enhance the sustainable energy features of our development. This is on display in both of our buildings..

Public transport is very limited to Carron/Carran.

To establish the Burren as a premier internationally recognised eco-tourism region ensuring the future economic and social growth and sustainable development of its communities, environment and heritage The Burren Ecctourism Network working group has been set up.

It's members are...

Clare's Rock Hostel
Cassidy's Bar & Restaurant
Burren Outdoor Education Centre
Burren Coaches
Burren Fine Food & Wine
Cliffs Of Moher Visitors Centre
Burren Centre
Boghill Centre
Kilfenora Hostel
Burren Painting Centre
Burren Smokehouse
Roadside Bar & Restaurant
Corofin Hostel & Camping
Gregans Castle Hotel
Heart of Burren Walks
Farm Heritage Tours
Ruairi O Conchuir

Local news

We have installed solar panels for water heating.

Both buildings have had walls filled with beaded insulation in 2010 and we have also increased insulation in attic spaces.

Water is conserved through our water saving taps and shower heads with automatic shut off and set premixed hot / cold.

We have our own well on site so no chemicals used in water..

All waste water and sewerage is treated in puraflo treatment plants.

Basins are used in the kitchen to conserve water.

On our farm we farm under Rural Environmental Protection Scheme.

Walks in the area have been developed to enable access through private lands for visitors. Information on walks at hostel.

We are also trying out home made non-toxic cleaning products in the kitchen/dining area.

Clothes are dried outside weather permitting.

The Certificate in Ecotourism from Sligo IT has been achieved as part of "Clare's Rock hostel's commitment to providing a sustainable ecotourism product..

Clare's rock hostel is life member of the Burrenbeo trust.

ECOTOURISM POLICY

At Clare’s Rock we provide eco friendly accommodation for our guests. Through our water saving, power sourcing, waste recycling policies we reduce the carbon footprint of all our visitors. We have always monitored our water, oil and electricity usage and endeavour to reduce their usage at every opportunity.
Further to this we aim to create awareness among our guests of the fragile nature of the Burren’s environment.
We encourage our guests to spend a large part of their stay either walking or cycling in nature.
We have adopted minimal impact codes, and relay this information to all our guests.

By our support of Burrenbeo and Burren Life (farming for conservation project) we make a positive contribution to conservation in The Burren. We are also active in Burren IFA and in our parish and school councils and have encouraged recycling in our local national school.
We encourage guests to support local businesses and cultural centres. (Croide na Boirne pub and restaurant, the Burren perfumery, the Michael Cusack centre, Caherconnell stone fort,

We are founding members of The Burren Ecotourism Network. Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people" - The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

It is B.E.N's long-term vision that the Burren will be a premier internationally recognised ecotourism region ensuring the future economic and social growth and sustainable development of its communities, environment and heritage. B.E.N. aims to become a recognisable network of enterprises in the Burren, all of whom have achieved independent accreditation, demonstrate ecotourism 'best practice', positively discriminate in each other's favour, provide 'one voice' representation on issues impacting the Burren (where appropriate) and inspire conservation activism.

B.E.N. has three specific aims:
1. The development of a self-sustaining ecotourism network of accredited Burren businesses with a Burren ecotourism brand.
2.The promotion of the Burren as an accredited ecotourism destination
3.The provision of continued training, mentoring and accreditation in ecotourism for businesses interested in joining the network.

In July 2009 as part of ongoing EcoTourism training owner received a Certificate in Ecotourism which was awarded by Sligo Institute of Technology.

We are aware that our business has an effect on the environment so we have taken measures to minimise this effect.
All light bulbs are low energy long life bulbs.
All food waste and waste office paper is composted.
Cardboard packaging, newspapers, magazines, glass, cans, plastic bottles and used light bulbs and batteries are all returned for recycling.
Since installing solar panels in 2009 we have reduced our usage of oil by. 80%.
When replacing electrical equipment only "A" rated appliances are purchased
We use a natural puraflo peat moss treatment system which purifies all wastewater generated by the hostel.
Our water supply is sourced from our deep water well on site.
In the past 2 years we planted 50 metres approx of hedging. We maintain two areas of habitat on our farm which is mostly SAC lands.

Each year we carry out a cleanup of litter in Carron and around the Turlough walk.
In 2010 we started using more environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
Guests are asked to turn off unnecessary lights.
We support environmentally sustainable tourism by encouraging guests to walk or cycle while staying at the hostel.

We have bicycles for hire at the hostel.

We supply information at the hostel on walks, local foods, businesses  and local cultural centres and also on Leave no trace and Burren code.
We are life members of The Burrenbeo Trust and have completed the Leave No Trace awareness course.
The owner is chairman of the local IFA branch and organises plastic collection in the area annually. Other local issues are also highlighted when the need arises. We are also active members in the parish and school councils and have encouraged a policy of recycling in the local school.
We are members of the Farming for conservation group. Burrenlife 

In 2011 we helped Shannon trails to develope a signed loop walk around the Carron Turlough and are providing a picnic area at the hostel for walkers.