Sustainability at Gleneagle Killarney

We’re proud to be independently certified across four internationally recognised ISO standards, each demonstrating a strong commitment to responsible hospitality:

ISO 9001 – Quality Management System
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
ISO 20121 – Sustainable Event Management

In fact, our Gleneagle Arena holds the distinction of being the first event venue in Ireland certified to ISO 20121, a testament to our pioneering approach to sustainable entertainment and events.

We retained all of these ISO standards in 2022, 2023 and 2024, reaffirming our ongoing dedication to best practices in every area of our operation.

We’ve invested over €1 million in energy-saving infrastructure:
• Heat pumps now power 67% of bedrooms and all of Gleneagle Leisure
• All indoor lighting is now LED
• Our energy monitoring system (DC6) gives real-time insights and is reviewed weekly
• Heating is demand-based via our Building Management System
• Future-forward: a proposed 200kVA solar installation is currently under review
Result: Despite a 23% increase in activity, we’ve reduced energy use per room by 18% and carbon per room by 34% (2022–2025).

As part of our commitment to both our guests and the environment, Gleneagle installed five electric vehicle (EV) charging points. Conveniently located, three are situated in the main car park, with two dedicated to residents in the resident car park. Each charger features dual sockets, and a user-friendly 'How to Use' guide is prominently displayed to assist with activating the charge.

Our smart systems and small actions are saving significant water:
• Low-flow showerheads in all rooms
• Onsite well for services
• Efficient laundry and pool management systems
• Guest refill stations on each floor, with reusable bottles in-room
• Ongoing water safety testing
We also align with the EU Water Framework Directive and Ireland's Water Services Policy Statement.

We're constantly reducing what we send to landfill and how we measure it:
• Daily food waste weighing by outlet and customer count
• Partnered with KWD Recycling for clear traceability
• New biodigester reducing food waste by up to 90%
• In-room and back-of-house recycling with clear signage
• 330,000 plastic bottles eliminated thanks to Aqua Libra water fountains
• Partnering in the Killarney Coffee Cup Project, eliminating single-use coffee cups
We’re now operating well below EPA hospitality waste benchmarks.

We support Irish farmers, certified fisheries, and ethical growers — sourcing ingredients that are local, traceable, and sustainable:
• Meat, dairy, and produce from Bord Bia Quality Assured suppliers
• Seafood via MSC, ASC, BIM, and Origin Green
• Responsible international sourcing via WFTO, RSPO, and Rainforest Alliance
• End-to-end traceability through Procure Wizard
• Our kitchen teams use whole-ingredient prep to reduce food waste creatively

Protecting Ireland’s natural beauty is central to our story:
• Promoting nature walks in guest materials
• Supporters of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and Tidy Towns
• Active in the Fáilte Ireland Climate Action Plan
We track and reduce pollution and emissions as part of our conservation efforts.

Sustainability goes beyond the environment. It’s about people too.
• We recruit and train locally, growing long-term careers
• We support local schools, charities, sport and community groups
• All public areas meet universal access standards (we’re ENAT accredited)
• Suppliers must meet strict codes for labour rights, sustainability, and transparency

Our laundry system now uses EcoBrite Low Temp, a game-changer for efficiency and the environment:
• Works at lower temperatures = up to 55% less energy
• 16% less water used
• 70% less plastic waste with solid capsules
• Lower carbon per kg washed = 159g saved
• Kinder on fabrics = longer-lasting linens

Sustainability isn’t static. We review our systems, policies, and performance regularly with annual updates and continuous learning built into our internal operations.
We won’t get everything right all the time. But we’re committed to getting better — every day.