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Biodiversity And Preservation
Always Looking To Do More
We are proud to operate a sustainable business, employ eco-friendly processes and promote a greener future for the hospitality industry. As part of this, we embrace green practices in every department, every day. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in our own biodiversity and nature preservation initiatives.
From forestry management and re-wilding, to biomass boilers and solar panels, we employ a number of experts across the estate to use what they know to improve what we do from a biodiversity and preservation point of view.
Biomass And Solar Energy
For decades, our biomass boiler has been our main source of energy. Using locally grown straw, it provides our hot water and heating for Ballymaloe House, the outbuildings, the farm and the swimming pool. Without it, we estimate over 600,000 litres of oil would have been burnt over the past 40 years.
In 2021, we installed 147Kw of PV solar panels on the roofs of existing farm buildings. They produce a massive 600KWH of power per day, which represents a third of our overall daily energy consumption. In fact, we were 50% independent of the ESB national grid in 2022.
Planting, Growing And Farming
We are passionate about sustainable planting, growing and farming on the estate. In 2004, we planted 10 acres of ash trees (5,300 trees). Then in 2014, we planted a 2-acre apple orchard now that now provides us with both apple juice and Ballymaloe Cider.
In walled garden, we grow the wide variety of fruit, vegetables and herbs you see on our menus. This includes strawberries, raspberries, loganberries, gooseberries, red and white currants, plums, pears, figs, grapes, rhubarb, blackcurrants, quince, damsons and nectarines.
Our free-range hens guarantee our supply of fresh eggs. While our free-range pigs feast on our own beans and grain. All in all, we are quite self-sufficient.
Recycling And Waste
Eco-practices are employed by every department across the hotel because we are committed to reducing the waste we produce. All food waste is separated at source and fed back to our animals. As well as providing recycling facilities for cardboard packaging, glass, cans, used lightbulbs, printer cartridges and batteries in every department, we encourage our guests to reuse their towels. This saves a significant amount of water and energy.
To save even more water, we are fortunate to have a well on the grounds. It provides us with all the water we need, including high-quality drinking water for the house, café, Grainstore and farm.
Nature Preservation
In order to sustain its natural habitat, we have greatly reduced the management of the forests on our estate. Our numerous nature walks are carefully maintained for the you to enjoy, though much of it has been designed for re-wilding.
Our wildflower meadows provide an important habitat for wildlife. Every year, we plant an extensive number of native Irish trees and shrubs. As part of this, we sow 12 acres of the farm with a seed mixture of brassicas and wildflowers, under an EU wild bird habitat scheme. This area is left to go to seed over the summer, creating a food source and cover for small birds over the winter months.
