Killeavy Castle in County Armagh is going green for St Patrick’s Day in both a nod to its Irish heritage as well as the business’ environmental strategy. The Castle will be illuminated green for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Tuesday 17 March.
The Estate has a robust sustainability plan in a place built around the UN Sustainable Development goals. It has made a number of pledges to enhance the local area and minimise its impact on the environment, including a commitment to reforest the local broadleaf woodland, a zero plastic scheme and a Farm to Fork philosophy.
Killeavy Castle is a Grade A listed building, originally designed in 1836. The castle was derelict for over a decade before being transformed following a £12 million investment, reopening to the public last year.
General Manager of Killeavy Castle Estate, Jason Foody said “Killeavy Castle has gone green literally and metaphorically this St Patrick’s Day! As a business, we are passionate about creating a legacy of sustainability and environmental consciousness.
“A particular focus for our business is the use of local produce and suppliers so when guests enjoy a meal in our restaurant, the food on their plate will have been either harvested from the walled garden on the Estate, farmed on the land or locally sourced. When guests stay at Killeavy, they won’t encounter any single-use plastic and the cleaning products we use on-site are all environmentally friendly.
“The hotel building incorporates smart seasonal design concepts to reduce the reliance on traditional heating and air conditioning systems and we work in partnership with the Forestry Service, The Woodland Trust and Newry Mourne District Council to repopulate Slieve Gullion forest by increasing the level of broadleaf woodland planted. We believe it is our responsibility to protect the natural environment that Killeavy has been part of for so long, so it can be enjoyed by generations to come.”