County Donegal B&B accommodation, Ireland

The centre is a local community run centre. It was a project which was undertaken by volunteers of the community in 1995 to convert an old hall into a facility that the community could use and also attract visitors to the area. Today it has one full time manager and two part time staff from the community that run the centre. Other casual staff are called in when necessary. The manager reports to a board of directors who are made up of local voluntary people from the community. Each year the centre runs at least one major charity event that benefits a local organisation. This year it was the Saimer Play Group which cares for children in the local community. All staff employed are local natives and live within fifteen kilometres of the building. All guides & teachers are local and benefit greatly from groups that come to stay. The centres bus driver is also local to the area and has great tales to tell of local folklore.

Our centre is viewed as the hub in the community of Cashelard. We have adapted & changed our policies by making a difference on how we treat our environment. By achieving the Eco-Label Accommodation Award for our efforts it has helped bring awareness to our community and have encouraged fellow community members to make a difference in their homes.

The centre is strongly committed to avoiding the negative environmental effects that can be generated by tourism. Electricity for the building is provided exclusively by Airtricity, an Irish wind energy company, and energy efficient lightbulbs have been installed throughout. Plans are currently in place to install solar panels that will provide free hot water for most of the year and rainwater is captured and used to water the gardens and plants. All waste from the accommodation is either recycled or composted and the compost produced is used by local farmers. Finally, in the bedrooms guests are informed of the our towel policy whereby towels are changed either every three days or on request in order to minimise the detergents and water used in laundry.

We are committed to promoting the preservation of the beautiful Cashelard area and conserving the local biodiversity. Each year they organise a hill walk which is open to all in the community. The walk can take from anything up to 2.5hrs to 5hrs depending on route and special guides available to ensure walkers stay on the beaten path. Along the way walkers are asked to do a 'clean up 'as they go and information is provided on the biodiversity & wildlife that can be spotted along the way. A fun table quiz will take place later in the afternoon where questions are conservation focused and relate to the local flora, fauna and landscape. Following this an art competition for children take place where the theme is to draw any flower or wildlife spotted while on the walk.

We have recently decided to join up with the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group and have been in touch with them regarding this. It is hoped that in return they can provide the centre with information for students who partake in the surfing lessons that are provided. As part of our EU Flower certification they have created a biodiversity folder that is available for all guests and is informative on different wildlife guests can watch out for in the area.