Name: The Connacht Hotel
Address: Dublin Road, Galway, H91 K5DD, Ireland
Telephone: +353 91 381200

+353 91 381200

At the Connacht Hotel, we are passionate about sustainability and are working towards being the first hotel in Galway to be Carbon Neutral.

Since beginning our ‘Green’ journey in 2018, we've made significant strides in implementing effective green practices and procedures throughout our hotel. Our dedicated staff are key to our success in delivering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly service. Their invaluable input, insight, and engagement are at the core of our achievements to date. Many initiatives have already been introduced and new ideas are emerging and evolving daily, from reducing our ecological impact to fostering a strong sense of community. We recognise that sustainability is a never-ending journey, and we're excited for the road ahead.

Our Awards

We are honoured to have received prestigious accolades for our sustainability efforts.

We proudly hold the Silver Medal Award from Green Hospitality Ireland and have been recognised as finalists in the Green Large Organisation of the Year category at the Green Awards 2024.

Additionally, we were celebrated with the Best Sustainable Practices award at the Connacht regionals of the Irish Restaurant Awards. These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and green innovation.

Our Green Policy

Our Green Policy is the cornerstone of our commitment to sustainability, guiding every action and decision we make. Our policy is built around the 5 C's: Conservation, Co-operation, Commitment, Carbon Footprint, and Community.

Through this sustainability strategy, we strive to lead by example and make a lasting positive impact on our planet.

Carbon Footprint

We are committed to reducing our ecological impact through the following sustainability efforts:

Electric vehicle charging stations available in the car park.
Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the hotel.
Water-saving shower heads installed in all rooms.
Key card-activated power for guest rooms.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit for energy efficiency.
Ongoing food waste monitoring.
Green Purchasing Policy for eco-friendly procurement.
Local food sourcing from Galway and nearby areas.
‘Meat-free Fridays’ with vegetarian, vegan, and organic options for staff meals.

By continuously refining our practices, we aim to significantly reduce our environmental impact.

Conservation

We are committed to protecting the environment by implementing practices that promote resource efficiency and ecological balance. Our conservation initiatives include:

The use of 100% compostable takeaway cups and lids.
Bee Gardens on our hotel grounds, which feature over 2,000 bee-friendly plants to support dwindling bee populations.
Partnering with Hometree to restore an acre of Irish rainforest as part of the Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project.
Installation of solar panels in 2024.

These actions are part of our broader strategy to conserve resources and safeguard the environment for future generations.

Co-Operation

Co-Operation is integral to our green journey. We foster a culture of embracing change and innovation through our Green Team, which actively engages in implementing new eco-friendly practices and policies.

Our commitment to co-operation is evident in our comprehensive waste management program, which ensures proper waste separation in guest rooms, staff areas, and public spaces. We also prioritise digital solutions over paper, as seen in our 'Think Before You Print' policy and the removal of printers from offices.

By partnering with local suppliers, charities, and educational institutions, we support sustainable practices and encourage green initiatives across our community. Through these collaborative efforts, we aim to drive positive environmental change and promote a collective understanding of sustainability.

Commitment

Commitment is at the core of our sustainability efforts at the Connacht Hotel. We’re dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint by sticking to a rigorous waste separation policy and adopting practices that cut down on energy and resource use.

From our oil filtration system, which minimises waste and saves energy, to our push for digital over paper, every step we take is designed to be more sustainable. Our Green Meetings Programme and the shift away from single-use plastics reflect our ongoing pledge to make a difference.

We’re constantly refining our processes to be more eco-friendly and ensure that our commitment to the environment remains unwavering.

Community

At the Connacht Hotel, we believe in the power of community to drive positive change.

We actively support local charities and environmental initiatives, partnering with organisations like Hometree to restore native woodlands and participating in regular beach clean-ups to protect our coastline.

Our tree-planting projects and donations of old goods to charity are just a few ways we give back. By sharing our green message through social media and engaging with our local community, we foster a shared commitment to sustainability.

Together, we’re making a real difference and creating a greener, more vibrant future for everyone.

Our Sustainability Journey Targets

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we continuously track our progress and set ambitious goals to further reduce our environmental impact. Our targets for 2024 outline our commitment to advancing our green initiatives. Here’s a snapshot of what we’re working towards:

Reduce Energy Consumption by 10% compared to 2023.
Increase Recyclability Rate to 85%.
Reduce Food Waste by 10% compared to 2023.
Reduce Landfill Waste by 10% compared to 2023.
Reduce Paper Usage by 30% compared to 2023.
Achieve Gold Certification through Green Hospitality.
Gain Accreditation through B Corp.
Expand Sustainability Targets to all hospitality sites.

Make a Green Choice

At the Connacht Hotel, making a green choice is easy and impactful. When booking your stay, opt to forgo housekeeping during your visit, and we'll plant a tree to offset the ecological impact of your stay.

For corporate guests, we're committed to sustainability too — every meeting or event booking includes a contribution to offset the ecological impact, through our partner Hometree, furthering our goal to reduce our collective footprint. By choosing us, you’re not just staying at a hotel or hosting an event; you’re actively participating in our journey toward a greener future.