Clare Eco Lodge
Certification: GSTC Gold, Ecotourism Ireland County: Clare (Feakle, East Clare) Type: B&B, group retreat, hostel accommodation on a 12-acre certified farm
Clare Eco Lodge holds both GSTC Gold certification and Ecotourism Ireland certification, making it one of the most comprehensively certified eco stays in County Clare. The property is a 12-acre farm near Feakle in East Clare, operating as a B&B, hostel-style accommodation for groups, and a centre for retreats and educational visits.
The Certifications
GSTC Gold is awarded by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, the international body for sustainable tourism standards. It requires documented, independently verified excellence across management, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability criteria.
Ecotourism Ireland certification requires properties to demonstrate low-impact tourism practice, connection to the natural environment, biodiversity management, and authentic engagement with the landscape and community.
Holding both certifications means Clare Eco Lodge has been assessed by two independent frameworks. That is not common. It reflects a genuine commitment to sustainable operation that goes well beyond good marketing.
The Property
Clare Eco Lodge sits on 12 acres of farm near Feakle in East Clare. East Clare is quieter and less visited than the Burren or Cliffs of Moher areas, offering a more genuinely off-the-beaten-track experience while remaining within easy reach of the Lough Derg Blueway and the broader Clare landscape.
The farm is managed according to the ecological principles that inform both its certifications. The land is not a backdrop to the accommodation. It is the reason the accommodation exists and the context in which guests experience the property.
Accommodation
Clare Eco Lodge provides simple, high-quality B&B and hostel-style accommodation suited to individual travellers, couples, and groups. The emphasis is on the farm, the landscape, and the quality of the natural environment rather than luxury fittings. Organic food is central to the guest experience.
The property also operates as a retreat and educational centre, welcoming school groups, sustainability-focused organisations, and travellers who want more than an overnight stay.
Practical Information
Location: Feakle, East Clare, County Clare Access: Car recommended; rural location 40km from Ennis Suitable for: Couples, solo travellers, small groups, school/educational visits, retreats
Why EcoStay Ireland Lists This Property
Clare Eco Lodge holds two independent eco certifications including GSTC Gold, the international gold standard. It operates an authentic farm-based eco tourism model with a focus on education and genuine ecological practice. It represents what eco accommodation in Ireland can be at its most serious.
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