Ashford Castle’s sustainability successes start with its restoration story as a cultural landmark in Ireland. In 2013, the Tollman family purchased the thirteenth-century castle, which had fallen into disrepair, and invested tens of millions to meticulously restore its historic architecture with the help of local traditional craftspeople. Restorations ranged from replacing 800 windows with modern glass to transforming abandoned tunnels underneath the castle into beautiful wine cellars.

As the Tollman family worked to restore this historic castle and former home of the Guinness family, they reaffirmed a close relationship with local villagers, who continue to make up the majority of its employees. Boutiques on the estate support historic Irish artisans and brands like Killarney’s Mucros Weavers, which makes clothing on nearly-200-year-old Hattersly looms.

An extensive list of on-site cultural experiences includes gliding across Lough Corrib in hand carved wooden boats with a local ghillie (guide) and learning about Ireland’s ancient art of falconry at the oldest falconry school in the country. Working with the castle’s Experience Ambassador, guests can also meet with local storytellers, musicians, and food producers and visit the workshops of traditional artisans such as blacksmiths and textile designers, all part of Ashford Castle's efforts to support and protect cultural heritage.

Ashford Castle partners with the TreadRight Foundation to support an array of international sustainable tourism projects and initiatives, including TreadRight's Climate Action Plan as part of parent company, The Travel Corporation. Aligned with the International Panel on Climate Change global effort to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century, Ashford Castle is helping to lead in that effort by producing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy resources.

A bug hotel provides habitat for beneficial insects in the castle’s gardens, bat boxes protect vulnerable species of bats, and a major tree-care program manages the more than 1,000 trees identified on property, with ongoing replanting efforts to help regenerate, restore, and keep the forest healthy.

Ashford Castle proudly grows its own produce in poly-tunnels and the lodge culinary team also forages for seasonal traditional ingredients in the surrounding countryside and woodlands, thus reducing food miles as part of climate action initiatives. The addition of native beehives also allows the Estate to produce its own honey, while actively supporting native bee conservation and pollination.

In addition to having eliminated plastic water bottles on property, the castle is also continuing its efforts to phase out all single-use plastics by 2022 and has so far saved 57,000 bottles from landfill. Food waste is also carefully monitored and reduced using innovative AI software in partnership with an organization called Willow, and an Accuvio system monitors energy consumption throughout the property, along with waste reduction and conservation of water use.