by Julie-Ann Sherlock

As more and more travellers choose to embrace ecotourism, the Irish hotel industry is upping its game when it comes to going green. The five-star Europe Hotel & Resort is one such property: as part of their mission to protect the environment, this historic resort is now powered by 100% renewable energy. With a concrete goal of reducing carbon emissions by 25% this year and operating a single-use plastic-free environment, The Europe Hotel continues to garner an international reputation for sustainability. 

"We are constantly adding to our sustainability measures, such as monitoring and improving our recycling in areas such as energy consumption, reduction of waste materials and water consumption; having four electric charging points onsite; investing in LED lighting; and offering water bottle filling stations throughout the hotel," explains Michael Brennan, Managing Director of Killarney Hotels (including The Europe Hotel & Resort).

It's a philosophy that carries through to hotel menus, with all beef and lamb used in the kitchens produced by the owners' nearby farm. This not only cuts food miles down to a minimum but also ensures a high standard of quality and freshness.

"Seán Moriarty has been managing the farm for over 30 years and meets with the chefs on a weekly basis to discuss the needs of their dishes," adds Michael. "He also works closely with a local butcher to ensure the perfect treatment and aging of the meats. Having a close relationship results in a product of exceptional quality and of higher welfare, which supports the local community."

Sitting majestically on the banks of Lough Leane with stunning views over the MacGillycuddy's Reeks (Ireland's highest mountain range), The Europe has been welcoming visitors to Kerry for over 60 years. While the global health crisis may have interrupted services, the property open its doors again in June 2021 thanks to the introduction of new safety and health innovations, including online check-in. 

If the serenity of the Killarney Lakes and mountains is not enough to soothe the soul, the resort's ESPA spa will take up the slack. With wellness vacations becoming increasingly popular in the wake of the pandemic, the spa uses the surrounding natural environment to awaken the senses and relax the mind.

In the post-pandemic world, business travel has become more challenging, with enhanced safety precautions required to protect delegates. The Europe's location on the edge of the Killarney National Park ensures plenty of open air and outdoor activities to entice conference and meeting attendees back to Kerry. Large rooms, experienced staff and high-tech equipment are available for any size of event, while facilities exist to make the option of running an "on-trend" hybrid event easy.

"Going forward, we would like to offer a faster check-in experience with our new online options. We are also in contact with MICE planners to prepare as best as we can for when international travel will be possible again and are attending Virtual Events to stay in touch with them."

At The Europe Hotel, location is everything: the spectacular landscape of Killarney seems to weave itself into the very fabric of the resort. "Our surrounding stunning landscape and the location of the hotel was the primary source of inspiration for the hotel’s design and its style. The colours of the lake, the seasons of Ireland, the ancient Irish Celtic past and the most recent crystal-making tradition provided the designers of the hotel with a rich palette from which to source ideas and inspiration from," concludes Michael.

As The Europe celebrates its 60th anniversary, the team is busy preparing to welcome both domestic and international visitors when it's safe to do so. An impressive combination of green credentials, a focus on wellness and a spectacular location ensures The Europe today remains as relevant as it did in 1961 when it first opened its doors.

@theeuropehotelandresort
TheEurope.com