Discover a Sanctuary for Nature Lovers at Willowtree Retreats
At Willowtree, we are proud to be a family-run business, created and nurtured by husband-and-wife team Ciara and Derek. Since starting in 2020, sustainability has been at the heart of everything we do. From using reclaimed and repurposed materials—even when it cost more—to fostering native wildlife habitats, our mission has always been to build a business that honors the earth.
We are keen nature lovers and conscious of the impact businesses can have on the environment. That’s why at Willowtree, we strive to operate in harmony with nature, leaving as little impact as possible while delivering an unforgettable experience to our guests.
What awaits you at Willowtree
Eco-conscious travellers visiting Willowtree can look forward to:
- Nature at Your Feet: Explore lush wild meadows, native trees, and rustic natural finishes crafted from local granite.
- Flora and Fauna: Marvel at flowers carefully planted to attract pollinators, alongside insect hotels and bird feeders dotted throughout the site.
- Chemical-Free Living: With no pesticides or herbicides used on our land, you may spot a few “flowers in the wrong place”—we embrace them as part of our wild and wonderful habitat.
- A Haven for Wildlife: Our site encourages biodiversity, offering a sanctuary for creatures big and small.
Our Achievements
We are proud of our commitment to sustainability, recognized through:
- Ireland’s Best ECO Glamping Site Award, 2024.
- Building sustainable practices into every step of our journey, from construction to daily operations.
How we Stay Green
At Willowtree, our sustainability practices are woven into the fabric of our operations:
Energy Efficiency
- Energy-efficient policies reduce our energy consumption between guest stays.
- Upcoming plans include solar panels and heat-source pumps to power our electric hot tubs.
Waste Management
- All waste, including guest waste, is sorted and recycled by a private company to ensure maximum recycling efficiency.
- Composting and thoughtful reuse of materials wherever possible.
Water Conservation
- All hot tub water is reused to nurture the trees and flowers on-site.
Local and Community-Focused Initiatives
- We prioritize sourcing goods locally to support nearby businesses.
- Each year, we designate and support a local charity as part of our commitment to giving back.
Our Vision for the Future
We are always looking ahead to make Willowtree even greener. Our future goals include:
- Solar Energy: Investing in solar panels to generate renewable energy.
- Eco-Friendly Hot Tubs: Transitioning to biofuel-powered hot tubs to reduce our reliance on electricity.
- Tree Planting: Planting 100 additional native trees to expand our wildlife-friendly habitat.
- Electric Vehicle Charging: Installing EV chargers to encourage sustainable travel.
- Education and Certification: Training the owners, Ciara and Derek, in sustainable tourism through the University of Ulster to obtain a Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Destinations, further enhancing our commitment to eco-conscious practices
By achieving these goals, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint even further and operate entirely on 100% renewable energy, ensuring that Willowtree remains a beacon of sustainability for years to come
