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Choosing a luxury country house or castle for a weekend away is not usually associated with being "eco". Unless you choose one from Ireland's Blue Book, and its collection of exclusive country getaways. Ireland's Blue Book agreed with members to work towards achieving the EU Flower Ecolabel, a prestigious international green accreditation, supported by Failte Ireland, which is awarded to tourism businesses with exemplary green practices, As many of these businesses now strive to change their ways, two have now been awarded this coveted award - Belle Isle Estate in County Fermanagh and Coopershill Country House Hotel in County Sligo.

Coopershill House

A long winding drive through ancient woods and deer pastures brings you to the enormous front door of Coopershill, a small, luxury Country House Hotel in the heart of County Sligo, Ireland.

This intimate Georgian Country House Hotel, built in 1774, has been the family home to 8 generations of the O'Hara's and is in immaculate condition.

In 2009 Coopershill became the first luxury property in the UK or Ireland to achieve the Eu Flower. This is the only award recognized throughout Europe and the one with the most stringent criteria.

Click here for Coopershill's Environmental Policy

In 2010 Coopershill House has been named on The Guardian newspaper’s Green Travel List for 2010.  Consisting of only 75 travel companies and properties worldwide, the list recognises businesses that have gone the extra mile in reducing their carbon footprint.

Belle Isle Castle

Belle Isle is situated on one of the ten islands that are owned by the Estate on Upper Lough Erne, with a bridge connecting it to the mainland. Expect an authentic Country House atmosphere without the frills of modern restorations and furnished with a fine collection of antiques and pictures.

In 2009 Belle Isle achieved its EU Flower. At Belle Isle Estate, which boasts a castle, cottages, courtyard apartments and a cookery school at its stunning location on the shores of Lough Erne, agent for Belle Isle Charles Plunket started his green journey by replacing the ancient oil burning boiler with a wood pellet one a couple of years ago. After recognising the huge cost benefits of going green, Plunket investigated a transformation of the rest of his business. The biggest obstacle was, surprisingly, changing lightbulbs, “I discovered, to my horror, that there were 553 light bulbs, of which only 7 were low energy.”

Click here for Belle Isle's Environmental Policy.

Ireland's Blue Book of Country Houses & Restaurants
7/8 Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2. Ireland
Tel: (+353) 01-6769914 | Fax: (+353) 01-6314990 | Email:enquiry@irelandsbluebook.com