SUSTAINABLE HOLIDAYS AND IRISH SOLAR
Updated May 29th, 2026
The UK government’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil, and clear the way for jet fuel imports to safeguard the great British sun holiday, will not go down in history as Prime Minister Starmer’s most Churchillian moment.
British support for Ukraine has, since the Russian invasion of 2022, been marked by tough economic sanctions meant to throttle Vladimir Putin’s war effort. The US-Israel war on Iran, though, is causing turmoil in international energy markets with fuel price hikes and potential shortages leading governments everywhere into crisis planning mode.
Mr. Starmer and his colleagues have clearly decided that the British people will tolerate many things, but that they will not roll over in the face of the cancellation of a flight to the Costa del Sol.
Maybe they are right, maybe our principles do only extend as far as the beach blanket, but I like to believe otherwise, that sustainable holidays to future UK holidaymakers is a key concern.
Closer to home, the Irish government is also looking at the shape our future holidays – or those of visitors to our island – may take.
Our national tourism body, Tourism Ireland, has already launched an initiative called “Sustainable Ireland” to bring together businesses and travellers interested in protecting and respecting the natural wonders all around us. They have also linked with other environmentally conscious organisations such as the Sustainable Tourism Network, Green Hospitality, and Origin Green to promote sustainable holidays and travel across the Republic.
The Sustainable Tourism Network provide support for businesses looking to: reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint, reduce water use, limit waste and food-waste, eliminate single use plastics, and support biodiversity. The Green Hospitality programme is a membership organisation that provides best practice management advice and support for meeting the growing demand for businesses to buff up their green and sustainable holidays credentials. Origin Green, Bord Bia’s pioneering food and drink sustainability programme, operates across the supply chain from farm to fork.
Great Sustainable Holidays
I understand the desire to preserve “the great sunshine holiday”, and for the foreseeable future that is going to continue to require hard ethical choices about fossil fuels and geopolitics. But there are “great summer holidays” to be had using some of these sustainability initiatives to explore Ireland. Tourism Ireland even offers a guide to “Driving the Wild Atlantic Way in an EV”.
While you’re exploring the Atlantic coast you can stop in at the iconic Smugglers Inn in Waterville, County Kerry. Smugglers Inn has just joined the growing number of hospitality businesses who have chosen to invest in low-cost, climate-friendly renewables with an innovative ground-mounted solar system installed by our team.
Located on land adjoining and positioned to minimise its visual impact, the 72kWp solar system will generate 67,000 kWh of electricity annually. Sufficient to power the hotel’s commercial kitchen, guest rooms, restaurant, bar, and sauna.
If you’ve done the Wild Atlantic Way or are looking for breath-taking scenery within a stone’s throw of the capital, Carlingford Lough and the Cooley Peninsula are less than a 2 hour drive north of Dublin. (Well within the driving range of the average EV.) Ghan House in Carlingford offers the perfect escape, with the sea, long walks, historic sites and excellent golf all on the doorstep. Ghan House, too, is now generating its own sustainable energy, with a 40kWp solar system installed in May.
Politicians respond when their constituents make their desires known. Both Smugglers Inn and Ghan House benefited from the solar grant scheme available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). If we want the Government to continue to fund the grants that make the switch to renewables feasible for small businesses, we need to make our feelings known.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has just opened a public consultation to inform the development of a new Tourist Accommodation Strategy for Ireland. The survey, which takes only minutes to complete, gives us all an opportunity to make clear that sustainability and sustainable holidays should be a key element in Ireland’s long-term tourism strategy. Take a minute to have your say, here.
Why Choose Solar In Ireland?
Investing in a solar panel systems in Ireland can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.
