Kenmare B&B accommodation, Ireland
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Environment:
The house is made of timber frame and hemp. One of the very first hemp builds in Ireland. All made by hand on site two years ago. It is carbon neutral and is fully breathable.
Much glazing to the south captures light and heat. There is a thermal mass wall in the kitchen to trap more heat. The roof is made out of a slate which is made from recycled car parts, the windows are larch and triple glazed low e glass. The heating is by geothermal system with under floor heating and also a wood burning stove. The fuel for the stove comes from the three acres.
Many trees have been planted and there is an organic garden in the making. In time we hope to serve our own garden vegetables. Right now vegetables in season are delivered from the organic grower next door and also purchased from the great local markets. We have one in the town on Wednesday mornings and a Saturday one in a local parish hall.
For my own river valley, I am working on a long term plan to open it up with a walkway and cycle lane all along the river from the town and extending approximately seven miles, which would pass rapids and a waterfall and end at a local heritage park. This is a wonderful part of Ireland.
I have a compost heap and my own well and an organic garden in the making with beds, a willow windbreak, organic topsoil. I use eco cleaning products in the house.
Community:
Life on the rural side of town, very much a local community area with a mix of small farmers and artisans. The greater Kenmare area has a very cosmopolitan mix of people. As a community we work hard to keep the town looking good and are multi award winners at national level for the look of our town
I work as a writer and holistic therapist. I shop in local organic market and eat local fish
The town is full of award winning restaurants, there is lots of local fishing opportunities, shopping there are local jewellery designers, knitwear designers and dress designers and some great local artisan shops and clothes shops.
Walks, bikes, hikes, boat hire all locally available. I am very close to a really great heritage park and many wildlife parks.
Community
I buy at our very good WEDNESDAY LOCAL COUNTRY MARKET. Visit Olivier's pate, sewweed, smoken fish stall, Christian's Cheeses, Sabine's organic vegetables and more. I volunteer in our local Tidy Towns Association. We work on Monday nights outdoors, cleaning, clearing, painting. Kenmare is a high performer nationally as a Tidy Towns winner and annual gold medal winner. Under the Tidy Towns I have the privilege of being able to effect enhancement with design ideas such as the greening of derelict spaces in the town, landscaping disused areas and driving forward many projects. I am Secretary of the Association and I write newspaper features promoting our endeavours.
Landscape
Upcoming MEMOIR working title MOVING TO KENMARE
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